Employment Contracts

Guides on employment contracts for UK employers and employees. Advice on what such contracts should include, such as job responsibilities, compensation, benefits, working hours, and termination conditions.

Legal advice

Employee doing freelance work on the side

One of my employees is doing freelance work on my time. How best to address it and what legally can I do?

Accounting

Can I impose a wage reduction?

My business is suffering from a cash flow problem and I am considering consulting with staff and imposing a temporary 30 per cent wage reduction for three months. I would then pay this back to them with an additional bonus. What should I consider?

Legal advice

What are my contract rights?

I have a 12-month contract with the UK branch of a multinational to fulfil certain tasks at intervals throughout the year for a fixed annual fee, to be paid in twelve equal monthly payments. The company announced closure of the UK operation. What are my contract rights?

Employing & managing staff

Reducing contractual hours

Q: I have advised staff that we need to reduce contractual hours to break even. This period is always low and additional hours are essential when things pick up. What are the legal considerations if staff do not agree to new hours? The contract says that normal hours may be varied to meet needs of employer.

Employing & managing staff

Financial need to reduce staff hours

We are in debt and finding it hard to pay suppliers. If we reduce the hours of our 15 employees to cut costs, what are the legal considerations?

Buying and selling a company

Buying a going concern: employees contracts

I'm buying a shop which employs two staff, one of whom I will no longer need as I'll be working there myself. Is it reasonable to ask the vendor to tell the employee, arrange a leaving date etc, or must everyone stay in their jobs until after the handover?

Legal advice

Advice on withdrawing an offer of employment

Can a verbal offer of employment be withdrawn?

Accounting

PAYE for sole traders

If operating as a sole trader, profits (or losses) will be taxed under Income Tax rules and you can continue working in employment under PAYE (Pay As You Earn).

Employing & managing staff

Guide to written statements of employment

Every employee should be given a written statement of employment that clearly lays down the rules that both you, as the employer, and they must abide by.