Employment Contracts

Your contract of employment is one of the most important documents you will ever sign. A properly-drafted contract will protect your rights at work and clearly set out the obligations for both you and your employer.

It is important that when you start a new job you fully understand what you are being asked to sign. Your contract should include information about pay, holidays, sick pay, bonuses, commissions, pensions, share options, disciplinary and grievance procedures, what happens if you leave and any restrictive covenants, or non-compete clauses.

When you start a new job you do not accrue the right not to be unfairly dismissed until you have worked for two years. As such, it is even more important in those early years that you are protected, so far as possible, by your contract.

Restrictive covenants often exist to prevent you from competing against your employer should you leave their business. Breaking a valid restrictive covenant can have serious consequences, so always ensure you know what you are signing and what effect they will have after the termination of your employment.

If you or your employer wants to change something in your contract, you both have to agree. There are some exceptions if, for example, your contract includes a flexibility clause allowing changes to certain conditions, or a mobility clause allowing changes to your usual place of work.

How we can help

If you need advice on any aspect of an employment contract, contact Else Solicitors for a thorough, cost-effective and personal service.

We are happy to review your existing contract and we can also advise you of your rights if you do have a restrictive covenant, or non-compete clause, in place. To be enforceable these covenants and clauses must be properly-drafted and reasonable; many are not.

If you face a specific problem or dispute, our advice will be prompt and practical, outlining your options in simple terms.

For more detailed legal advice in relation to your employment contract, please contact Stephen Stewart on 01283 526200 or email Stephen.Stewart@elselaw.co.uk

Employment Contracts

Your contract of employment is one of the most important documents you will ever sign.


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Redundancy

In the current financial climate redundancies are a common occurrence.


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Sick Pay

When you are unable to work through sickness, the last thing you need is further stress regarding your employment.


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Constructive Dismissal & Unfair Dismissal

The threat of dismissal from work is a very real one for many people.


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Employment Tribunal Solicitors

Employment Tribunals are independent bodies who can pass legally-binding judgements.


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Holiday Entitlement & Equal Pay Claims

There are a wide range of rights attaching to payments due from employers in the course of employment, both statutory and contractual.


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Bullying In The Workplace, Discrimination & Harassment

Employees are protected under UK legislation from being discriminated against on the grounds of their race, religion or belief, age, gender, disability or sexual orientation.


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What Happens When Your Employer Is Insolvent?

If the company you work for hits hard financial times, is unable to pay its debts and is legally insolvent, you may be entitled to compensation.


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Disciplinary & Grievance Procedure

The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) has a code of practice for both disciplinary and grievance procedures – but it is not legally-binding, so employers can adopt their own policies on how to handle these matters.


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What Happens When The Company You Work For Is Sold?

If the company you work for is sold, your employment rights should usually be protected under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (TUPE).


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Steve joined Else after spending over 20 years in law practices in Worcestershire and the West Midlands specialising in dispute resolution particularly High Court litigation.

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Stephen Stewart

Dispute Resolution Solicitor

How can we help?

Get in touch.

Else have a team of experienced employment solicitors, in Burton on Trent, that focus firmly on preventing disputes from occurring.

If you would like more information from our employment solicitors in Burton on Trent please call 01283 526200. Alternatively, you can send us a message and we will get in touch at a time that suits you.