Workplace issues: learning from the frontline Changing terms and conditions Victoria Phillips 20 March 2013

Law on Contract Changes Overview: Statement of particulars Types of contractual terms Varying the contract – how and in what ways? Tactics

Law on Contract Changes S1 Employment Rights Act 1996 (‘ERA’) Must be provided within 2 months of start of employment Must include specific details Not a contract, but evidence of agreed terms S4 ERA 1996 – Notification of changes Section 11 claim – Southern Cross Healthcare Co Ltd v Perkins and ors [2010] EWCA civ 1442

Law on Contract Changes The 4 Types of Terms in an Employment Contract Express Terms Implied Terms Incorporated Terms Statutory Terms

Law on Contract Changes There are 4 ways to vary a contract: By agreement Contractual right to vary Collective agreements Unilateral variation

Law on Contract Changes Variation by Agreement Express – what about duress? Implied - Aparau v Iceland Frozen Foods [2000] ICR 341 and GAP Personnel Franchises Ltd v Robinson UKEAT 0342/07 Non – contractual provisions Discretionary bonus schemes – Attrill v Dresdner Bank [2012] EWHC 1189

Law on Contract Changes Contractual Right to Vary Flexibility clauses Mobility clauses – United Bank v Akhtar [1989] IRLR507 Bateman and ors v Asda Stores ltd [2010] IRLR 370 Approach by the courts: Clear right to vary Not used to produce an unreasonable result but see Home Office v Evans & anor [2008] ICR 302

Law on Contract Changes Collective Agreements Incorporated into the contract Express incorporation – City of Edinburgh Council v Brown [1999] IRLR 208 Implied incorporation – Henry v London General Transport Services [2002] IRLR 472 Apt for Incorporation – Kaur v MG Rover Group Ltd [2005] IRLR 40, Malone and ors v British Airways [2010] IRLR32 In a Tupe situation – Parkwood Leisure v Alemo – Herron [2010] UKSC 0035

Law on Contract Changes Unilateral Variation Accept the Breach Stand and Sue/Declaration UDW Declaration Dismissal - Burdett-Coutts and ors v Herfordshire CC [1984] IRLR 91 notice of variation - Garside and Laycock Ltd v Booth UKEAT/2011/0003 Refusal to Work under new terms – Robinson v Tescom Corpn – [2008] IRLR408

Law on Contract Changes Tactics The Contract is sacrosanct UDW/Breach of Contract Declaration/Unfair Dismissal Constructive Dismissal Challenging SOSR – Garside and Laycock Ltd v Booth UKEAT/2011/0003

Law on Contract Changes Tactics continued – Additional arguments Protective Award Protection from Inducements

Law on Contract Changes Conclusion