Contracts of Employment

This is a legal document which sets out the details of a person’s employment. This is a legal document which sets out the details of a person’s employment. It defines the legal relationship between the employer and the employee. It defines the legal relationship between the employer and the employee. When both parties have signed it, it is then binding. When both parties have signed it, it is then binding. Any breach could lead to disciplinary action for the employee and legal action against the employer. Any breach could lead to disciplinary action for the employee and legal action against the employer.

You should receive details of your terms and conditions of employment in writing within 2 months. You should receive details of your terms and conditions of employment in writing within 2 months. This applies whether full-time or part- time. This applies whether full-time or part- time. Can be in the form of a letter or a formal contract of employment. Can be in the form of a letter or a formal contract of employment.

Key items Your job title Your job title Your hours of work Your hours of work Your place of work Your place of work The main terms and conditions of your employment The main terms and conditions of your employment Your pay and other benefits eg sick pay and holiday pay Your pay and other benefits eg sick pay and holiday pay

The date on which your employment started The date on which your employment started The name of your employer The name of your employer Your own name Your own name

Additional information (Can be given in a separate document) The date your job will end if temporary. The date your job will end if temporary. Details of any trade unions agreements which relate to you. Details of any trade unions agreements which relate to you. Details of your employer’s grievance and appeals procedure. Details of your employer’s grievance and appeals procedure.

Further information (you must have access to this) Details about sickness benefits and sickness entitlement if you are ill Details about sickness benefits and sickness entitlement if you are ill Pension scheme details Pension scheme details How much notice you must give if you want to leave the job How much notice you must give if you want to leave the job Details of the disciplinary rules and procedures Details of the disciplinary rules and procedures

Terms and conditions Working hours Working hours These may vary for different people. Shift working, flexi hours. Holidays Holidays Legally entitled to a minimum of 4 weeks’ paid holidays if they are full-time.

Sick pay Sick pay No legal entitlement to sick pay but many employers will pay their employees for a maximum number of days at their normal rate of pay. It will vary between organisations.

Notice Notice There is a minimum amount of notice that you, or your employer, has to provide if the contract is terminated. Job requirements Job requirements Eg dress code, uniform or not being able to take holidays at busy periods.

Disciplinary rules and grievance procedures Disciplinary rules and grievance procedures These will vary between organisations. Training Training Your contract may state which training events are compulsory. These will be provided free.

Health and Safety Health and Safety Your contract will refer to the company policies and must be followed. Company rules and regulations Company rules and regulations This may cover how to report absences Smoking rules IT use Right to search

Codes of behaviour and other company policies Codes of behaviour and other company policies May include Equal Opportunities Maternity and paternity leave Emergency leave Welfare policies

Legal rights of employers All Employees will: Work the hours stated Work the hours stated Turn up for work or comply with absence procedures Turn up for work or comply with absence procedures Do the work they are asked to do as part of their job Do the work they are asked to do as part of their job Comply with any other conditions stated in the contract Comply with any other conditions stated in the contract

Follow health and safety regulations Follow health and safety regulations Comply with other laws related to their work eg not drinking and driving Comply with other laws related to their work eg not drinking and driving

Employee rights All employers will: Pay employees according to their contract Pay employees according to their contract Issue an itemised payslip showing gross and net pay and any deductions Issue an itemised payslip showing gross and net pay and any deductions Comply with all statutory employment laws and regulations Comply with all statutory employment laws and regulations Provide a safe working environment Provide a safe working environment

Provide appropriate training Provide appropriate training Allow employees to join trade unions or staff associations Allow employees to join trade unions or staff associations Allow them access to confidential records kept on them as employees Allow them access to confidential records kept on them as employees

Express rights and responsibilities - those which are specifically listed in the contract. - those which are specifically listed in the contract.

Implied rights and responsibilities - those which are supposed to be so obvious that they don’t need to be listed. This is fine if you know what they are, but if you don’t then you could easily risk doing something wrong. - those which are supposed to be so obvious that they don’t need to be listed. This is fine if you know what they are, but if you don’t then you could easily risk doing something wrong.

Implied rights of employer Your employer will expect that you: - are reasonably competent and possess the skills you claimed you had at the interview. - are reasonably competent and possess the skills you claimed you had at the interview. - are ‘ready and willing’ to the work and will do what any ‘reasonable’ employee would do in a situation - are ‘ready and willing’ to the work and will do what any ‘reasonable’ employee would do in a situation

- will take reasonable care of your employer’s property eg equipment and furniture - will take reasonable care of your employer’s property eg equipment and furniture - will work towards the objectives of the organisation - will work towards the objectives of the organisation - are prepared to carry out reasonable instructions and requests - are prepared to carry out reasonable instructions and requests - will be honest - will be honest

- will not disclose confidential information - will not disclose confidential information - will behave responsibly towards other people at work - will behave responsibly towards other people at work - will be prepared to change when the job changes, eg when new technology is introduced into the workplace - will be prepared to change when the job changes, eg when new technology is introduced into the workplace

Implied rights as an employee Your employer will: - treat you reasonably - treat you reasonably - give you the opportunity to participate in and be consulted on company matters - give you the opportunity to participate in and be consulted on company matters - will never ask you to do anything which is illegal - will never ask you to do anything which is illegal