Harriet Broughton

Practice Areas

Harriet is a partner in the employment team specialising in the education and charity and social enterprise sectors. She is able to advise on all areas of employment law, taking a commercial and pragmatic approach to resolving matters.

Harriet is a member of the Employment Lawyers Association.

Harriet started her career predominantly undertaking claimant tribunal litigation before moving to advising SMEs employers on all contentious and non-contentious employment matters. During her time at Stone King, Harriet has developed her expertise in the education and CHSE sectors.

Harriet is experienced in handling employment tribunal proceedings, from unfair dismissal to complex discrimination and whistleblowing claims.

Harriet has supervised other lawyers in employment cases since 2017.

Harriet works across the education sector, with her primary focus being Independent Schools. She is able to bring her commercial experience and understanding of Independent School regulations to fully support schools in handling employment matters. She regularly advises on complex safeguarding matters concerning staff, as well as supporting clients with parental complaints, outsourcing services, and grievance and disciplinary matters. Harriet understands the complexities and challenges facing independent schools and tailors her advice accordingly.

Harriet regularly advises clients in the Charity and Social Enterprise sectors. She is experienced in advising in complex matters including senior exits, whistleblowing disputes, and organisational change including TUPE, restructure and redundancy. Harriet is adept at balancing Charity Commission guidance and employment law requirements providing clients with clear and pragmatic advice.

Harriet is also a member of Stone King’s Faith Sector and regularly advises organisations of all faiths on employment law matters.

Work Highlights

Harriet advised CharityTrustees on allegations of financial misconduct against a senior member of staff. She advised on the employment law requirements and risks. She supported the Trustees during the independent investigation and disciplinary processes. She further supported the Trustees in agreeing the terms of exit, including considering the value of settlement and content of the reference in light of Charity Commission guidance.

Independent Schools

Harriet supported the Governors in responding to whistleblowing complaints raised by an employee against the senior leadership team and governing body resulting in independent investigation and appeal processes. Harriet advised the school on managing disciplinary proceedings given the breakdown in trust and confidence. She is representing the school in employment