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Contracts of employment

An employer is required by law to provide all their employees with a contract of employment or written particulars of employment. The key to a good working relationship is knowing what is expected of an employee and ensuring they are aware of the conditions of employment.

Our employment law solicitors can make sure your business complies with the legal requirements in relation to contracts of employment.

What is an employment contract?

An employment contract is a legally binding agreement between an employer and an employee. Both parties must follow the terms of the contract until it ends or until the terms are changed.

In an employment contract, an employee’s rights and responsibilities should be clearly set out.

It is important to ensure the Contract of employment sets out the conditions of employment such as working hours, place of work, salary, holiday entitlement, benefits and bonuses.

Employee rights, responsibilities and duties would also usually be included within the Contract. These can also be included within Policies set out in a Staff Handbook or Office Manual.

At Davisons, we can draft your employment contracts or ensure they are up to date to comply with the law.

Policies and Procedures

In conjunction with the Employment Contract, it is recommended there are clearly defined policies and procedures in the workplace. The Contract provides the main terms of employment, but all employees should be aware of relevant policies such as sickness, disciplinary and dismissal procedures.

With the impact of the pandemic, all employers are recommended to have written policies in place to ensure employees are aware of their obligations if they display symptoms of Covid-19 to protect other staff, in addition to self-isolation requirements and working from home arrangements, if applicable.

Our employment law specialists can review current policies and/or create policies based on an assessment of your business needs. Employers often engage us to carry out a health check of their employment contracts and policies to ensure they are up to date or address changes in the law.

Consultancy Agreements for self-employed contractors

In relation to businesses that engage the service of agents or contractors, it is important to ensure there is a written contract in place, so both parties know the clearly defined terms of any agreement between them.

Self-employed contractors or agents are usually engaged under what is known as a ‘contract for services’ or ‘consultancy agreement’.

A contract for services is used when a freelance contractor provides a specific service to a company, such as accountancy or marketing.

A consultancy agreement is when a consultant provides advice or services to a company to improve performance in a specific area, such as finance or information technology.

Contracts can be issued by a self-employed contractor or the business they are serving.

In some cases, we recommend that contracts include a ‘no mutual obligations’ clause so that neither party is obligated to provide or accept work and there is no remuneration for work not undertaken. In addition, confidentiality clauses may need to be included and non-competition or other restrictive covenants to protect any sensitive trade secrets or client and supplier information.

Have a question or need some help?


Davisons Law - employment law solicitors

Our experienced solicitors specialise in drafting contracts that clearly set out expectations, terms and services.




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