A CRASH course on how to deal with strikes is being organised for employers.

Ward Hadaway, which has an office in Newcastle, will hold two half-day workshops to give companies and organisations a legal and practical insight into how to cope with industrial action.

The law firm has teamed up with training and development company Protostar Leadership Development, based in Durham City, to offer the courses at venues in Newcastle and Leeds.

Ward Hadaway employment law partner Harmajinder Hayre, who will lead the workshops with Protostar managing director Michael Coates, said: “It is prudent planning for organisations to put in place risk management measures to minimise the disruption caused by industrial action.”

The workshops will discuss the general legal principles governing industrial action, such as the right to strike, continuity of employment and union immunity from prosecution.

Those taking part will learn more about the balloting process, procedural requirements and injunctions, as well as potential remedies for disputes.

The workshops will also address practical issues such as the effect industrial action has on pay and sickness and what organisations can put in place to maintain a core or statutory service in the event of a strike.

Mr Hayre said: “Employers really need to know where they stand when it comes to strikes – even if industrial action does not directly affect their organisation, it could hit a supplier or a customer and have a range of knock-on effects.

“The workshops will allow organisations to take a sensible and measured approach should a problem arise.”

The workshops will take place in Newcastle on Monday, November 22, and in Leeds on Friday, December 3.

To attend, go to wardhadaway.com