Gardner Leader

Contracts

Employers have a statutory obligation to provide each employee with a written statement of the principal terms of their employment (such as pay, notice periods, holidays, sick pay, etc) within a few weeks of the commencement of employment. Failure to do so can result in the employee making a claim in the Employment Tribunal.

This statement can be quite basic but it is important to cover all the terms required by law.

For all but the most junior employees however we would suggest that employers should put in place more comprehensive contracts which set out all the rights and obligations of both parties. A clearly drafted contract, allied with more general policies and procedures  will ensure that both parties know where they stand and make disputes later less likely.

For employees in sensitive positions – directors, sales staff, technical staff and so on – it is particularly important for employers to ensure that notice provisions, restrictive covenants, confidentiality and intellectual property rights are carefully drafted.

Employees are a major asset of any business. You would not rent a factory without ensuring a properly drafted lease was in place – why take risks with the terms on which you hire your people?

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