Bond Pearce

Jon is a partner specialising in all aspects of employment law and provides contentious and advisory support to a range of employers.

He regularly advises employers on the law relating to unfair and wrongful dismissal and has particular interest and expertise in the employment aspects of acquisitions and disposals, including the effect of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006. He also regularly advises on the TUPE implications of outsourcing agreements.

Jon has been involved in providing advice on re-organisations following high profile acquisitions and on day to day issues arising out of board or other senior executive issues that are seen as business critical or sensitive.

Examples of recent work include:

• advising Whitbread plc on the employment and TUPE issues associated with the outsourcing of its in-house food, logistics, warehousing and distribution function (in respect of its Costa Coffee, Beefeater and Brewers Fayre outlets). The outsourcing involved approximately 500 employees (with the associated closure of existing distribution centres in Reading and Trafford Park)
• advising Ordnance Survey on the implementation of a new form of management system for the organisation's 1,100 employees which required detailed advice on the potential discrimination and industrial relations issues associated with its introduction
• acting for The GAME Group plc following the acquisition of GameStation and the referral of that acquisition to the Competition Commission. He provided strategic employment advice around complex timing issues on the consultation process which was affected by the referral to the Competition Commission and which impacted on senior management level restructuring
• advising on the employment law issues relating to the closure and relocation of a national distribution centre
• successfully defending a number of unfair dismissal and whistleblowing claims under the Public Interest Disclosure Act (including defending the associated interim relief applications) attracting significant press coverage
• advising a national employer on pay negotiations with recognised unions and associated strike threats
• advising on the acquisition of a regional transport company from the public sector and dealing with the implications of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's Two Tier Workforce Guidance.

Jon is recognised as a leader in the employment field by Chambers Guide to the UK Legal Profession 2011 which says 'the "user-friendly" Jon Hales impresses interviewees with his knowledge of TUPE issues.'

Jon is a member of the Employment Lawyers Association.