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Employment Contracts

Goughs are the obvious choice when looking for a business contracts lawyer

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Why are employment contracts so important?

All employees, regardless of the number of hours they work per week, are entitled to receive a written statement detailing the terms and conditions of employment from their employer, on or before starting work.

Contracts go far beyond the legal necessity, they provide protection and peace of mind to all parties so everyone knows where they stand.

Related reading: What is an employment contract?

What do employment contracts need to include?

Under Section 1 of the Employment Rights Act 1996, an employment contract must include the following. However, this is by no means an exhaustive list and there are variables that may affect you, your business and your employees so we would strongly advise that you get in contact for further advice and details. For example, for more senior positions you may wish to consider post-termination restrictive clauses.

The names of you as the employer and the employee
The date of commencement of employment
The amount of pay and the frequency of payment, eg – weekly or monthly
The hours of work
Holiday entitlement
Notice entitlement
The title of the job and where it is based
What the disciplinary, dismissal and grievance procedures are in the workplace
Sickness entitlement
Details and eligibility for the employer’s occupational pension scheme, if there is one

Rebecca Dennis

I have specialised in employment law for many years. I provide consistent and risk aware advice to employers and employees alike. My experience includes both contentious and non-contentious work. My professional background is unique in that I worked for more than 20 years as a barrister providing legal advice, drafting and advocacy for my clients and more recently provided specialist trouble-shooting services on employment law and employee relations at a leading international HR outsourcing company. I have a reputation as a pragmatist and problem solver. I am now proud to lead the Employment Department at Goughs.

Popular questions

What does future planning mean?

There are several steps you can take to ensure that your loved ones are protected in case of your death or if you were ill and unable to make your own decisions.

How can Goughs support me with later life planning?

Trying to plan your legal affairs and finances for later life can include

Minimising your Inheritance Tax liability
Sorting out pre-paid funeral plans
Setting up trusts for your family and protecting assets for future generations through a Will.
Appointing Attorneys to manage your financial affairs and to make health and welfare decisions on your behalf by Lasting Powers of Attorney is also an important part of the process.

How can you help my family with future planning?

The strategy will be different for each family, due to their unique circumstances and views on life. Nonetheless, the best advice is to plan early and have the right practical legal advice.

Why use Goughs?

We are specialists in elderly and future planning with a long established reputation in Wiltshire.

Our future planning team includes lawyers belonging to Solicitors for the Elderly who are also Dementia Friends or Dementia Champions

Yes you can, and for a number of different reasons. You can be in breach of contract if you do something that doesn’t match what’s outlined under the terms of the employment contract. This can include: 1.Making unauthorised changes to the contract 2. Not following the correct procedures as outlined in the contract 3. Failing to pay monies owed such as salary. As an employer you aren’t permitted to make changes to an employee’s working hours, job duties or rate of pay in the employment contract without notifying the employee, and in many cases reaching agreement.

Yes. It is a statutory requirement to provide written terms and conditions (know as “particulars”) before you start work.

At Goughs, our employment specialists can draft and tailor contracts and policies to fit your business needs, whilst ensuring they are reasonable and enforceable. We can help with both writing and reviewing existing contracts and advising on breach of employment contract issues. We have built up many years of experience and our team not only offer advice to businesses but also advise on broader business planning issues and sit on various advisory boards, ensuring that our advice and expertise looks beyond the contract itself and ensures all advice really is in the best interest of the future of the business.

Nationally recognised & accredited law firm

Chambers & Partners

The team is exceptional at grasping complex matters.

Legal 500

Goughs gives outstanding customer satisfaction. They are very approachable, reliable, courteous and informed. I would recommend Goughs to anyone.

Chambers & Partners

The team is extremely thorough and client-focused. They are willing to go the extra mile and think outside the box.

J B, Melksham

Very helpful, efficient friendly staff. My business matter was dealt with very well. I would be happy to recommend Goughs Solicitors.

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