Contracts of Employment

Your contract of employment is the agreement with your employer as to your employment rights, responsibilities and duties. It is preferable but not necessary that the contract be in writing.

The contract may include restrictions which limit your ability to work in the same line of business or locality when your employment ends. You should always carefully consider the contents of any document before signing it and where necessary we can provide you with expert advise as to its effect and whether its terms are unacceptably restrictive or onerous.

The contract of employment binds both you and your employer until it ends or until the terms are changed.

If there is no written employment contract you are entitled to a written statement of your main employment terms within two months of starting work. This must include:
- your and your employer’s name
- your job title and a description of what the job involves
- the date that your employment began
- how much and when you will be paid
- your hours of work
- your holiday entitlement
- where you will be working
- sick pay arrangements
- what notice (subject to your statutory rights) either of you must give to end the contract
- details of the disciplinary and grievance procedures operated by your employer
- details any collective agreements that affect your employment terms or conditions
- details of any pension schemes available to you.

If your employer refuses to provide you with a written statement of terms then you are entitled to apply to an employment tribunal to have them set and for an award of compensation. Your employer cannot dismiss you for requesting a written statement.