Restrictive Covenants: UK Employers’ Guide
Restrictive covenants in employment contracts can play an important role in protecting an organisation’s commercial interests and managing risks when an employee leaves. While implied contract terms provide some measure of protection for the employer during the employee’s period of employment, using restrictive covenants within contracts of employment can provide protection after the employment has […]
Lone Working: Guidance for Employers
Lone working is commonplace in the UK across a range of industry sectors. Where such arrangements are in place, employers are under specific legal obligations to safeguard the health and wellbeing of personnel carrying out their duties in isolation. In this guide, we set out the rules and obligations on employers in relation to lone […]
Staff Handbook: Essentials for UK Employers
The staff handbook can represent one of the most important documents in the workplace, providing employees with key information about the terms and conditions of their employment, as well as what to expect from their employer and what is expected of them. In this guide, we look at what the staff handbook is, including what […]
Directors’ Service Agreement: Protect Your Business
Directors have specific statutory duties and responsibilities in relation to the organisation, which should be addressed within a directors’ service agreement. More than a compliance requirement, the agreement can also be used by the business to protect its interests in the event of the director’s exit. For UK employers, having a well-drafted director’s service agreement […]
Employment Status: Types, Rights & Legal Guidance
An individual’s employment status will determine their employment rights and their employer’s legal obligations towards them. There are three types of employment status: employees, workers and those who are self-employed. Of these groups, employees have the most rights and entitlements in comparison to workers and the self-employed. In reality, there is not always agreement between […]
Variation Clause: Guide for UK Employers
A variation clause in an employment contract allows an employer to make changes to the terms and conditions of employment without requiring further consent from the employee. These clauses are commonly included to provide flexibility, enabling employers to adapt to business needs, such as changes in working hours, job roles, or workplace policies. While variation […]
Mutuality of Obligation: Employers’ Guide
Under UK law, an individual’s employment status determines their workplace rights and entitlements, as well as the obligations of their employer. Understanding the rules around employment status can be important in establishing the respective rights and responsibilities of the employer and the individual presenting for work. There are a number of legal tests to help […]
Continuous Employment: Guide for UK Employers
Continuous employment refers to the length of time an employee has been employed by the same employer without a significant break in service. It’s an important concept in UK employment law as it determines eligibility for various statutory rights and benefits, such as redundancy pay, unfair dismissal protection and statutory maternity or paternity leave. For […]
Exclusivity Clause: What Employers Need to Know
Ensuring that staff are available for work, and unable to work for competitors, can often be key to running an effective business. The following practical guide to exclusivity clauses looks at how these types of clauses can be used in the employment context, and when these are legally enforceable. What is an exclusivity clause? […]
Employee or Worker: Legal Differences Explained
An individual’s legal rights and entitlements at work can differ significantly depending on whether they are classed as an employee or worker. In this guide, we explain the differences between these two types of employment status, including how legal status as either an employee or worker determine employment rights and responsibilities within the workplace. […]