Sector Focus


Legal


Sponsored by: mfg Solicitors


Pat on the back could tip you over the edge


Internet-based schemes where workers allow colleagues to earn bonuses via an online ‘pat on the back’ have been condemned by a Midlands lawyer. The scheme utilises ‘peer-to-peer recognition


Samuel Pedley from mfg


New partnership to support organisations with social purpose


Jewellery Quarter neighbours mfg Solicitors and the Oaks Consultancy have launched a new partnership aimed at supporting organisations with a social purpose. mfg and Oaks will be working


with businesses across the sport, education, public and third sectors to explore their income generation potential and put new structures in place to help them capitalise on opportunities. This includes forming new charitable vehicles, partnerships and business structures. Oaks were formed in 2008


and recently joined the Aquila Services Group – a group of socially focussed management consultancies. Helping organisations to secure new income streams, their clients include international sport for development charities, Premier League football clubs and national sports governing bodies and schools. Sam Pedley, partner at mfg


Solicitors said: “We’re excited to have entered into this new partnership with Oaks. They have an established track record in providing consultancy to sports and educational institutions, local authorities and the private sector. We’re looking forward to supporting them in helping organisations make a genuine social impact.” Rahul Bissoonauth, director


of business development at Oaks added: “Moving into the Jewellery Quarter earlier this year has presented so many opportunities to partner with like-minded businesses in the area. mfg has demonstrated a commitment to supporting organisations with a social purpose and we’re thrilled about working together to help our clients explore their income generation potential.”


Members who want to discuss their legal matters with mfg can call 0121 236 7388.


74 CHAMBERLINK September 2019


technology’ pioneered by firms such as Bonusly and Reward Gateway, and the idea of it is to boost employee engagement and create a culture of positive reinforcement by allowing co-workers a budget to tip each other small amounts of money each month. It is believed that more than


250 UK-based firms are taking part in these schemes, but employment specialist Marc Long (pictured), a partner at Clarke Willmott LLP, says they are open to abuse and argument, and could potentially lead to discrimination claims. He said: “Anything where


staff can review others and get a financial benefit is open to abuse. “The practice of patting someone on the back with a ‘tip’ could actually end up dividing staff members. It could create little cliques of pals who constantly reward each other. “Such schemes must also offer equal access for everyone using them. If someone feels left out and


believes that this is down to their ethnicity, disability or sexual orientation for instance, then employers could find themselves at risk of a discrimination claim. “As well, there is the issue of the impact of bringing in a ‘tipping scheme’ on employees’ mental health. The pressure of feeling that you need to ingratiate yourself with the ‘in crowd’ or else miss out, could aggravate conditions such as depression and anxiety. “The designers of these


programmes can’t really protect against these risks, rather it’s the employers that need to monitor their use, or else it could backfire and be viewed as a negative by


staff.” Bonusly and Reward Gateway recently told BBC Radio 5 Live's ‘Wake


‘The practice of patting someone on the back with a ‘tip’ could actually end up dividing staff members’


Up To Money’ that they had seen a big rise in the number of UK businesses signing up to give their staff the power to hand out small cash rewards. US-based firm Bonusly said


it had seen a 75 per cent increase in UK customers in the last 12 months alone, and


Reward Gateway told the station it had seen a 100 per cent increase in the number of UK businesses using its services to allow staff to give small amounts of cash to their colleagues.


Duo join VWV’s private client team


Law firm VWV, based in Brindleyplace, have appointed consultants Peter Heath and Jayne Udall to their private client division. The pair have run wills, trust and


probate firm Inheritance Matters for the past decade, and as they are now heading towards retirement, they want to ensure that their clients are in safe hands. Peter and Jayne will become


part of the established VWV private client team, which consists of six specialists, led by partner Rachael Armstrong, and supported by a national team of 55 people. Peter said: “It has been really important for Jayne and I to provide our clients with a future source of advice so that we can be happy that our clients are in safe hands whilst we put our retirement plans in place. “Having worked with VWV and


experienced first-hand their approach to client care and service, they were the natural choice for us to work with. “We are looking forward to


Safe hands: VWV Birmingham office partner Clive Read, Peter Heath and Rachael Armstrong


joining VWV and the team of specialist private client lawyers, whilst ensuring we are available to our clients to make their journey as seamless as possible.” VWV managing partner Simon


Heald said: “Our Birmingham office keeps going from strength-to-


strength. Turnover increased 30 per cent last year and we are still actively looking for talented lawyers to join us. “Peter and Jayne and their legacy


of Inheritance Matters will further unite and enhance our services to new and existing clients.”


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