Employment Contract Advice for Employees

Employment contract advice for individuals 

No matter whether you are starting a new job or some changes are occurring in an existing role, a clear and concise contract of employment should be administered for you to read through and sign. This is necessary as it forms the basis of the employment relationship. Depending on your job, this may be a straightforward process, but for some, it is imperative that each and every aspect of the new contract is scrutinised and fully understood before adding your signature. 

Our team of qualified employment law Solicitors are adept at helping individuals inspect and dissect new employment contracts, ensuring that individuals can counter offer or question certain elements they are unhappy with, or confidently sign a contract they are satisfied with. 

An employment contract should detail everything that is relevant to you in your new role. This includes (but is not limited to): 

• Your employer’s details
• Your job title and description 
• Salary and bonuses and when these are paid
• Benefits and holiday entitlement 
• Start date of your employment (and end date if necessary) 
• Probation period and notice period
• Any obligatory training 
• Location of work and any caveats to this

In addition, it might also include details around sick pay and any other types of paid leave, non-disclosure agreements and other similar clauses. If it doesn’t include everything you would expect for your role, you can question this and request amendments. 

It is imperative that you are happy to adhere to the details of your contract and its terms, because this becomes legally binding upon signing. If you have previously signed a contract and have a query around your rights or need to file a complaint, an employment law solicitor is best placed to help you understand the legalities surrounding the nature of your complaint and provide advice on the right course of action to take things forward. 

Why seek legal advice on your employment contract? 

There are various reasons you may wish to seek legal advice surrounding your employment contract. We have found some of the most common reasons to seek legal assistance  are related to: 

• Fully understanding the rights and obligations of a contract to ensure it is reasonable and fair to be complied with. 
• Ensuring it does not discriminate in any way. 
• Negotiating better terms, or challenging provisions that are deemed unfair.
• Resolving disputes in the workplace.
• General contract review and analysis.  

Our expertise at Eric Robinson Solicitors encompasses all these elements and more, meaning that should you have any questions, issues or concerns with your employment contract, we are able to help. 

Common employment contract issues 

Employment contracts should be crafted in such a way that they protect both the employer, and employee. It should not include any terms or conditions that are deemed unreasonable, as once signed, it is a legally binding document. Depending on your specific role, there may be a need for certain clauses to be included so a business can protect itself. However, they do still need to be fair. For example, non-competes, confidentiality clauses, overly long probationary periods or changes to terms and conditions may, or may not be reasonable, and are elements you should strongly consider getting a solicitor to look over.

In addition, more general contract issues may include out of date employment legislation, missing or unnecessary clauses, ambiguous clauses and inconsistency.

How Eric Robinson Solicitors can help

By working with one of our team of qualified Solicitors, you will be able to rest assured that you are fully satisfied with any new employment contracts, or feel confident in pursuing certain legalities with an employer. Our years of experience in employment law means we can help in even the most complex of situations, supporting you from start to finish. To find out more about employment contract advice, get in touch with one of our local branches. 

To speak to us and find out more, get in touch with one of our local branches at the following locations: Southampton, Hedge End, Chandlers Ford, Winchester, Lymington, or Richmond Upon Thames.