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Home / Expertise / Employment and business immigration / Employment Contract Solicitors

Employment Contract Solicitors

Why are employment contracts important?

Written contracts are important as they clearly outline the terms and conditions of a staff member's employment. This can avoid a lot of confusion between an employer and employee.

By law, employers are required to provide a written statement of the terms and conditions of employment as soon as the staff member starts working.

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What should be included in an employment contract?

The following must be included in contracts of employment:

  • The name of the employer and employee.
  • The date the employment begins.
  • The individual’s working location(s).
  • Their contracted working hours.
  • Their holiday and sick pay entitlements.
  • The job title and description.
  • Salary details, including how often the individual will be paid.
  • The individuals notice period.
  • Any pension provisions.

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Do I need a solicitor to help me write employment contracts?

While you don’t necessarily need a solicitor to help you write employment contracts, they are a great way to reduce miscommunication. Many businesses overcomplicate employment contracts, making them confusing and sometimes causing staff to skim read the document. 

Employment contract solicitors can help you ensure everything is written in plain English, avoiding confusion and unnecessary disputes. When the wording in an employment contract isn’t right it can leave a business open to financial loss, if an unfair dismissal is claimed.

If a contract isn’t written properly a court may refuse to uphold it. For example, a contract containing restrictive terms and conditions that prevent staff from sharing information about the company and it’s projects may be refused if it’s drafted poorly or is unreasonably restrictive. 

When you work with an employment contract solicitor you’re ensuring that your employment contacts are reasonable and will stand in court.

Why choose Wright Hassall?

Getting yur employment contracts right is crucial to a happy working environment. Whether you need help writing your employment contracts or you’re facing a tribunal regarding an issue(s) with your employment contracts, our team at Wright Hassall are here to help.

Get in touch with us today for further support!

FAQs

  • What legal status does an employee hold?

    When creating employment contracts it’s important to understand your employees status:

    • Employees are entitled to employment rights like the right to not be dismissed unfairly (this applies after two years of working in a company), as well as holiday and sick pay.
    • Workers have some employment rights such as holidays, breaks and minimum wage. While they have some of the same rights as employees, they aren’t as protected.
    • Self employed people only have basic rights like health and safety protections and the right to not be discriminated.
  • Are employment contracts legally binding?

    Contracts of employment are a legally binding agreement between and employer and employee. If the contract is breached it means one of the terms has been broken. This could include the employer not paying a staff members wages.

  • What should I do when changing contracts of employment?

    When changing an employment contract an employer must give minimum four weeks notice. However if these changes are deemed unfair or one sided it’s likely that it won’t be considered in court, even if four weeks notice has been given.

  • When should a contract of employment be issued?

    A written contract of employment should be given to an employee before or on their first day of employment.

  • Can your employer terminate your contract?
    • Employers can terminate a contract of employment for a number of reasons:
    • A breach of contract
    • All parties would like the contract to end.
      The employee isn’t able to meet performance requirements.
    • Redundancy.
    • Statutory restriction.
    • Some Other Substantial Reason (SOSR).

    If you believe you have been unfairly dismissed explore our unfair dismissal page and get in touch for further support.

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