I’d like to share my experience regarding Chhokar and co in Southall. I hope it is useful for other members of the general public.
I was recently offered a job with Chhokar and co in an administrative role. I was emailed the jobs’ terms and conditions and asked to sign these prior to starting. Before signing up, I noticed some simple information hadn’t been clarified so asked whether the terms and conditions were the same as the contract, if not- if or when the contract would be given, annual leave and the job’s notice period. These are basic questions most employees would ask before starting a job.
I didn’t receive a response for a day but as my start day was the following day, I attended, quite unaware of what was about to happen.
Mr Santokh Chhokar advised me that he didn’t have time to answer such emails or questions, had not been asked them in the past for such a role and asking questions like this, in his mind showed a lack of trust. As I had asked these questions, he had decided to terminate the offer of employment.
I wanted to clarify the following. For the majority of regular employed work in the UK, it is considered (quite to the contrary) normal and good practice to ask questions about ones’ job such as ones’ notice period, annual leave and the work contract.
These are not unreasonable questions; but terminating someone’s job for asking them is unreasonable.
If such questions intimidate an employer, I wonder why so? The answers should be very simple- feeling uncomfortable to talk about such basic points indicates a lack of transparency.
If he doesn’t have time to respond to such questions about a job offer, then why offer it?
What better time to clarify job conditions than before you start- if he couldn’t answer it at this time, would they have time later?
Perhaps Mr Chhokar actually wanted an employee who wouldn’t ask any questions, be easy to control and just do what they are told to. Mr Chhokar, please reflect on this. I know you can do better than this.
Looking at people’s feedback on google, it is clear Mr Chhokar and co can provide high quality legal advice and a good service. For some people who are local to their offices or predominantly speak Punjabi, this is still likely an organisation to consider for legal advice. They can obviously carry out legal work and if this is all you are looking for without account for whom you are dealing, they will probably provide what you need.
However, I would caution members of the public based on the above, which sadly reflects quite poorly on their behaviour, values and integrity. I’m not so sure I’d be happy with my family and friends seeking their advice, unless there was no other option.