Employment and Benefits

According to Chambers Bowmans houses a distinguished employment group with tried and tested expertise in both transactional and contentious mandates.

Overview

Bowmans has been at the forefront of employment law in Africa for many years. Its knowledge and experience of industrial relations, employment, employee benefits and pensions law are hard to match.

The drive by governments in Sub-Saharan Africa to stimulate employment, protect workers’ rights and address historical imbalances has produced a variety of distinct regulatory systems for employment in the region. This is made more complex by a strong culture of collective bargaining, and an overlap between labour and social issues, between strikes and social protest across the region.

We keep our clients at the forefront of developments in employment laws, regularly contribute to employment law publications, and provide training and present lectures in a variety of forums.

Specialist Services

Employee engagement

We advise clients on the contractual aspects of engaging, moving and rewarding their employees in a way that complies with the applicable regulatory environment. Our specialist services include advising on:

Investigations and employee risk management

We help our clients minimise the risk associated with employment. Our specialist services include advising on:

Business transfers, outsourcing and restructuring

We regularly advise our clients on the employment consequences of business transfers and assist with restructuring and retrenchment planning. Our specialist services include advising on:

Industrial relations

Collective bargaining presents distinct challenges to employers and their lawyers. Our specialist services include advising on:

Related Expertise

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International Employment Lawyer Awards

African Law Firm of the Year, 2023 and 2024

Chambers

Bowmans provides expert knowledge on labour law. The law firm has a great working model and delivers excellent service.

The firm's human-centered approach makes it stand out and its service is really excellent.

Bowmans offers quick turnaround, strong knowledge of labour and employment matters in Kenya and a good network of law firms to support with any advice outside of Kenya.

Bowmans houses a distinguished employment group with tried and tested expertise in both transactional and contentious mandates.

Bowmans possesses a strong employment disputes practice and is also recognised for its experience in industrial relations and collective bargaining.

The firm is well placed to handle terminations and claims, including wrongful dismissal.

Bowmans is recognised for its adept handling of employment issues arising from corporate restructuring,

The team demonstrates prowess in significant employee transfers and redundancies, as well as handling ESOP structuring for both listed and non-listed companies.

The department also impresses for its work involving workplace investigations, with expertise relating to issues of alleged fraud, whistle-blowing and team poaching, as well as discrimination claims.

Bowmans has the capacity to handle multi-jurisdictional employment mandates.

The firm acts for a range of blue-chip domestic and international corporations in sectors including mining, manufacturing and consumer goods, and demonstrates notable experience representing employees.

Legal500

Bowmans represents high-profile clients in relation to a broad range of issues, including executive dismissals, employee risk issues, business transfers, industrial relations, and dispute resolution.

The group has extensive experience in workplace policies and compliance matters, unfair and wrongful dismissal claims, terminations, immigration matters, employee incentive plans and M&A-related employment work.

Bowmans has one of the leading employment law teams in Kenya.

They are human and create good rapport even in difficult situations. They approach things strategically, not just by the letter of the law

Professionalism and a proactive approach. Understanding not only as legal expert, but also and first and foremost as problem solver.

The team in Bowmans' employment practice have an exceptionally high service level and expertise. They also have a wide network of high-quality alliance firms around Africa.

Bowman's deliver everything that we require as a business within the region. Their responsiveness is like no other in our experience. Their advice is clear and timely.