As an employee, it is essential that you understand the terms and conditions of the employment contract you have agreed to, and what the implications of these are.
Therefore, while an employment contract may be a written, verbal or implied understanding, it is a good idea to request that the rights, responsibilities and duties covered are put in writing – something you are entitled to within two months of being employed.
At the very least, this should include:
- The legal name of both employer and employee
- The employee’s job title, with a brief description of duties
- The date employment commenced
- Details of pay, how this has been calculated and when it is to be paid
- Any entitlements – such as holiday leave and sick pay
- The address of the place of work
Should you later face a dispute with your employer, your written contract could prove very useful in demonstrating your legal position.
In such cases, it is best to try to settle the dispute internally by attempting to discuss your grievance with your employer. It may be that it was a simple misunderstanding, and the issue can be easily rectified. If you feel nervous doing so, you may want to seek support from a trade union representative first.
If this does not work, then the next step is to contact Acas, which will assist you with resolving the dispute.
However, if this does not provide a satisfactory solution, then you may want to consider taking your grievance to an Employment Tribunal – but it is essential that you seek specialist legal advice before doing so.
The specialist employment law solicitors at Birmingham-based Pearson Rowe can discuss the terms of your employment contract with you, advising on both your and your employer’s legal responsibilities and whether or not these have been breached.
For more information on any of the high quality legal services provided by our employment law solicitors in Birmingham, please contact us.