Contracts of Employment and Staff Handbooks
By law, every employer must provide their employee with a written statement outlining the employee’s main terms and conditions of employment within two months of their employment commencing.
Our specialist team of employment law solicitors can work with you to prepare the correct contracts and policies to work specifically for your organisation – what’s more, given our years of experience and our access to a bank of precedents, it is likely to cost a lot less than what you might think.
Why is a written statement of employment important?
When drafted correctly, employment contracts can clearly outline the expectations, culture, and vision of your business.
A written statement of employment is essential as it provides a clear and legally binding record of the employee’s key terms of employment. This ensures that both the employer and the employee fully understand their rights and responsibilities, reducing the risk of misunderstandings and potential disputes in the workplace.
What legally needs to be included in an employment contract?
An employment contract must outline several key details to ensure that both the employer and the employee understand their rights and responsibilities. These include:
- Pay: The agreed-upon salary or hourly wage.
- Working Hours: The employee’s expected working hours ad any overtime policies.
- Job Description: A clear description of the employee’s role and duties.
- Disciplinary Procedures: The procedures to be followed in case of misconduct or performance issues.
Why is employment status important in an employee contract?
One of the key issues to consider when preparing contracts is that of ‘employment status’ – that is, whether the individual you are engaging with is intended to be an employee, a worker or self-employed. Employment status matters because, as well as determining what statutory employment rights the individual is entitled to.
Our team can provide you with expert advice regarding employment status and, importantly, will ensure that the contracts we prepare accurately reflect the nature of the employment relationship.
How we can support you
Our employment solicitors offer practical, clear advice to help businesses draft contracts of employment and staff handbooks. We can:
- Ensure legal compliance
- Tailor documents to your business
- Mitigate future disputes
- Advise on amendments
- Minimise legal risks
Even once contracts are in place, there may be occasions when it is necessary to change contractual terms because of economic circumstances or due to a reorganisation of your business. Most significant changes to the contract will require the consent of the affected employees, which in turn may require a period of consultation. It is important to note that changes that are made without the employee’s consent may entitle the employee to resign from their position and claim constructive dismissal.
For further advice on this or any other employment issues, call our employment lawyers for an initial consultation today – we can discuss the matter over the phone, by video call or in person at your business premises or our offices in Sheffield or Doncaster.
Our team can also offer advice about:
