Clear employment contracts and workplace policies are the foundation of a compliant and well-run business. At IMD Corporate, we support employers with practical, tailored advice to ensure their contractual documentation protects the business, meets legal requirements and works effectively in practice.
What is a Contract of Employment?
A contract of employment does not have to be written to be legally binding. It can be:
- Written
- Oral
- Implied by behaviour, for example where terms can be inferred from how the working relationship operates in practice
However, where a contract is not written, employers are still legally required to provide employees with a written statement of employment particulars.
Under current employment law, this statement must be provided from day one of employment and sets out key information such as pay, hours, place of work, and holiday entitlement.
Why a Written Employment Contract Is Best Practice
A written employment contract is strongly recommended. It provides clarity, reduces the scope for disputes, and allows employers to clearly set expectations from the outset.
A well drafted written employment contract should include, among other things:
- Job title and duties
- Pay and benefits
- Working hours and place of work
- Holiday and leave entitlements
- Notice periods
- Confidentiality and data protection obligations
- Restrictive covenants (where appropriate)
- Disciplinary and grievance procedures (or reference to them)
Written contracts are particularly important when managing change, handling disputes, or defending employment tribunal claims.
Our employment lawyers assist employers with drafting and reviewing employment contracts that are clear, robust, and tailored to the realities of the business, rather than relying on generic templates.
If you need a contract of employment for your workers or employees call 0330 107 0106 or request a free call back to speak with our employment lawyers.
Employment Policies
In addition to contracts, employers should have a suite of workplace policies in place. Some policies are essential, while others are strongly recommended to support good employee relations and legal compliance.
Essential Policies
Every employer should have, at a minimum:
- Disciplinary Procedure
- Grievance Procedure
These must be compliant with the ACAS Code of Practice. Where an employer fails to follow a compliant disciplinary or grievance process, an employment tribunal may apply an uplift of up to 25% to compensation awarded.
Recommended Policies
Depending on the size and nature of the business, employers should also consider having:
- Anti-Harassment and Bullying Policy
- Sickness Absence Policy
- Holiday Policy
- Family Leave Policies
- Flexible Working Policy
- Social Media and IT Use Policy
The Importance of an Employee Handbook
An employee handbook brings together key policies in one clear and accessible document. It helps employees understand workplace expectations and provides managers with a practical framework for handling issues consistently.
From experience, policies are not just examined on paper. In one matter where our employment solicitors represented an employer in the Employment Tribunal, the tribunal closely scrutinised both the written policies and how they were applied in practice. Having clear, compliant documentation, supported by consistent implementation, played a crucial role in the outcome.