5 min read | 5 March, 2021 By Laura Sands
If you think a contract of employment is just another bit of box ticking and no one ever looks at them, think again. While you don’t need to have one in writing it certainly helps to clarify things, especially if there is a dispute down the line.
In April 2020, new rules were introduced which make it compulsory for employers to provide an employee with document stating the main conditions of employment when they start work. This is known as a ‘written statement of employment particulars’ and differs from a contract.
The written statement is made up of:
The employer must provide employees who commenced work before 6th April 2020 with the principal statement on (or before) the first day of employment and the wider written statement within 2 months of the start of employment.
In this guide we look at contracts and written statements of work and explain how they differ.
The principal statement must include at least:
On the first day of employment the employer must also provide the employee or worker with information about:
The employer can choose whether to include this information in the principal statement or provide it in a separate document. If they provide it in a separate document, this must be something that the employee or worker has reasonable access to, such as on the employer’s intranet.
Employers must give employees and workers a wider written statement within 2 months of the start of employment. This must include information about:
A contract of employment exists between employer and employee and forms the basis of the employment relationship. Generally speaking, it covers details such as working hours, scope of the job, holiday entitlement, sick pay, benefits and an employee’s duties and responsibilities.
A contract, whether written or not, comes into force as soon as the employee accepts their job offer.
Providing written employment contracts is important because it ensures clear terms for both sides. Sadly, some business relationships are rockier than others. Having comprehensive employment contracts can protect both parties and avoid costly litigation down the line.
An employment contract allows you to be specific about terms. This can be especially important if you want to protect trade secrets, include non-compete agreements or if your employees will be working with sensitive or copyrighted material.
It also allows both you, and your employee, to refer back in the event of a future dispute and can be used as evidence if necessary.
Finally, a written employment contract helps promote good working relationships between you and your employee. It shows you as an organised and efficient employer who provides a solid working structure.
A contract of employment will include explicit and implied terms.
Implied terms are those things which may not be written down but are considered part of the contract. These could include not stealing from an employer, having a full driving licence and providing a safe place in which to work.
Explicit contract terms will include details like the job responsibilities and duties, remuneration, legal requirements and benefits.
Statutory terms may be implied or explicit and will be imposed by an Act of Parliament or statutory instrument, such as the right to be paid the minimum national wage.
Learn more about what to include in a contract of employment.
Learn more about zero-hours contracts.
A contract can be varied by both employer and employee. An employer might do so because of changes in economic conditions or business reorganisation.
An employee might wish to negotiate better terms such as increased pay, a change to their job role or different benefits.
Changes can only be made with the agreement of both parties and should ideally be in writing. You should consult with your employee and explain any changes you wish to make.
Writing an employment contract can feel like a daunting prospect for anyone without an HR specialism. Here are two potential options:
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