Oswestry employers offered employment contract health check

From this week businesses in the area will be able to submit either a single existing contract or a statement of terms of employment to GHP legal, which has offices in Oswestry, Wrexham and Llangollen, and get it reviewed free of charge.

The review will be carried out by Employment Solicitor, Lynda Spiby, a trained Enterprise Mentor with extensive experience of dealing with contentious and non-contentious employment issues including dismissal cases, discrimination claims, contractual matters and disciplinary and grievance problems.

“A contract of employment does not have to be in writing,” says Lynda, “but under employment legislation every employee must be given a written statement of particulars of certain terms of their employment contract within two months of starting their employment. Employers can give alternatives to the statement, such as a contract of employment or engagement letter, but failure to provide the written statement can result in an employer having to pay the employee up to four weeks’ pay.

“In the current climate many employers are finding the need to change working arrangements to keep their businesses going. However, if there any changes in contractual terms or other matters, particulars must be provided in writing to the employee within at least one month of the change and no changes should be made without the employee’s consent.”

“If changes are made documents should be updated, setting out the changes so that both the employer and the employees know exactly what they are and when they took place. Having the terms and conditions in writing ensures there is no confusion over job roles, responsibilities and entitlements. It is surprising the number of employers who fail to update documents and who inadvertently fall foul of the legislation. This is why we are hoping people will take the opportunity to get a contract checked over, free of charge, while they can.”