Contracts of employment - protecting employers, safeguarding employees

Contracts of employment containing a minimum statement of terms and conditions of employment are a legal requirement for employers. They also provide essential protection for employers in defining the working relationship between employer and staff, and outlining the obligations between them.

The following list shows which terms (and details of which) must be included in contracts of employment, as required by law under Section 1 Employment Rights Act 1996:

  • Commencement and Continuity
  • Job Title and Duties
  • Place of Employment
  • Hours of Work
  • Holidays
  • Remuneration
  • Nature of Employment
  • Pensions
  • Sickness Absence
  • Grievance and Disciplinary Procedure
  • Collective Agreements
  • Notice of Termination
  • Work outside the United Kingdom
  • Acceptance and Acknowledgement

The following terms (and details of which) are optional extras that may be included:

    Garden Leave
  • Short Time Working/Temporary Lay-Off
  • Bonus Schemes/Commission Arrangements
  • Retirement
  • Deductions
  • Expenses
  • Employers' Property
  • Recovery of Training Fees
  • Confidentiality
  • Restrictive Covenants
  • Intellectual Property
  • Motor Car

The importance of a clear well-drafted contract of employment cannot be emphasised enough. Imagine how difficult it would be to persuade an Employment Tribunal that you are a reasonable and fair employer if your contracts of employment don't comply with even minimum legal requirements or are out of date.

Financially, consider the loss that may occur due to failure to ensure appropriate protections are in place for the leak of confidential business information.

At mosshaselhurst we can help employers stay one step ahead with well-drafted contracts of employment that which can be regularly updated.

To find out more about our practical and cost-effective services, please do not hesitate to contact our team.