Job Description

Employment Paralegal

About us

Halfords is a FTSE 250-listed plc and a recognised name across the UK, operating at scale across motoring services, cycling, retail, and digital platforms. The Group comprises an evolving portfolio of subsidiaries, creating a sophisticated and multi-dimensional operating environment, which has expended internationally.

Our in-house legal function sits at the heart of the organisation, partnering closely with senior leadership and key stakeholders to support strategic objectives and manage legal risk across the Group. The employment law function is integral to this, advising on a wide spectrum of complex and high-value matters.

About the role

This is a fantastic opportunity for an Employment Paralegal to join our Legal & Governance team, providing high-quality legal and administrative support across a broad range of employment law matters. You'll gain exposure to employment litigation, employee relations cases, Employment Tribunal proceedings, legal research, policy development, and strategic employment law projects, giving you valuable experience within a commercially focused in-house legal function.

Ideal for someone looking to develop their in-house legal career, this role offers genuine scope for growth and progression, with opportunities to build expertise aligned to your interests and long-term career goals. Working alongside experienced legal professionals, you'll play a key role in assessing legal risk, preparing merits assessments, and ensuring compliance with employment legislation and best practice.

Key responsibilities

• Assist with the management of Employment Tribunal claims from inception through to final hearing.
• Draft merits assessments and legal risk analyses relating to Employment Tribunal claims, outlining legal exposure and practical considerations.
• Support the Employment Law team in developing litigation strategies and settlement recommendations.
• Prepare and collate disclosure documents and hearing bundles, reviewing documentation to identify potential legal risks.
• Draft initial versions of tribunal pleadings, witness statements, lists of issues and counter schedules of loss.
• Maintain litigation trackers and monitor legal and procedural deadlines across tribunal matters.
• Provide support on disciplinary, grievance, capability, performance management, absence management and whistleblowing matters.
• Attend meetings where appropriate and produce detailed and accurate notes.
• Conduct legal research on employment law developments and provide concise, practical summaries to the Employment Law team.
• Assist with monitoring changes in employment legislation, case law and regulatory requirements.
• Support the review and updating of employment policies, procedures and guidance documents.
• Produce written legal updates for the People Team and wider business stakeholders.
• Assist in the development and maintenance of template documentation and internal precedents.
• Maintain accurate case files and document management systems.
• Prepare reports on litigation, grievances, whistleblowing matters and wider employment law trends.
• Support the preparation and delivery of internal Employment Law training and awareness sessions.

About you

• Highly collaborative with exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Highly organised and self-motivated, with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to producing accurate, high-quality work.
• Able to handle highly confidential and sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.
• Ability to consider the wider commercial context while maintaining a strong focus on detail.
• Law degree/GDL and either LPC, SQE or equivalent legal qualification.
• Strong interest in employment law and employee relations, with a desire to develop expertise in this area.
• Proactive and adaptable, with a willingness to take ownership of tasks and support the wider team where needed.

Reward & benefits

• A fair and competitive salary evaluated against market data, annual discretionary bonus scheme, pension, life assurance, 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays and enhanced family leave.
• Commitment and dedication to your ongoing personal and professional development. We help you to own and grow your potential so you can be at your best in your current role and to support your future career aspirations.
• We offer hybrid working in our Support Centre, you will be based at our Support Centre 2-3 days a week with an optional 2-3 days working from home.
• You will have access to a wealth of employee discounts across the Halfords suite of products and services.
• Wellbeing and inclusion are at the heart of our colleague experience. We offer resources and ongoing support to enhance your wellbeing at work and active Colleague Networks supporting inclusion initiatives across Halfords.

Not sure you meet all the criteria? We'd encourage you to take the wheel and apply anyway! At Halfords we are committed to creating an inclusive workplace for our colleagues. We're an equal opportunities employer and proud to welcome applications from all backgrounds and embrace diversity within our one Halfords Family.

At Halfords, we operate a hybrid working policy with 2-3 days on site at our Support Centre in Redditch.