Drafting legally sound employment contracts is an important part of running a business and can protect the business from disputes further down the line.
At Butcher & Barlow, our Solicitors can assist with drafting robust employment contracts that clearly detail both parties’ rights and responsibilities.
We can help negotiate fair employment contracts with your employees and ensure the terms align with your commercial goals.
Our Employment Contract Lawyers also assist with adding non-compete and non-disclosure agreements to your contracts that protect the interests of your company but do not infringe on the rights of your employees.
If a dispute arises, we will discuss strategic options with you and assist with resolving the matter internally, through negotiation or mediation, or represent you in court proceedings to recover damages where necessary.
Whether you are starting a new company or hiring as a well-established business, our Employment Contract Lawyers will ensure your contracts reflect your commercial goals and protect the interests of your business and its employees.
Have a question? Please see our commercial contract FAQs or get in touch.
Our experts can help you with matters including:
- Drafting employment contracts
- Breaches of employment contracts
- Non-compete and non-disclosure agreements
- Negotiating employment contracts
Contact our Solicitors for employment contracts in the North West of England
To discuss Employment Contract Law and access specialist legal support, please contact us at Butcher & Barlow.
You can call us on +44 (0)161 797 5650 or email enquiries@butcher-barlow.co.uk.
Our employment contract services
Drafting employment contracts
Employment contracts for a business are legal agreements that outline the terms and conditions of employment.
This includes job responsibilities, compensation, benefits, confidentiality, and termination clauses, ensuring both employer and employee rights and obligations are clearly defined and legally protected.
Drafting legally sound employment contracts is a crucial part of running a business and preventing disputes further down the line.
Our Employment Contract Lawyers can assist with ensuring your documents are legally compliant, outlining the rights and responsibilities of both the employer and the employee and ensuring the interests of your business are legally protected.
Breaches of employment contracts
A breach of an employment contract occurs when either the employer or employee fails to fulfil the agreed-upon terms.
This can include non-payment of wages, unauthorised job role changes, or premature termination without proper notice, resulting in legal consequences or the need for dispute resolution.
Our Employment Contract Lawyers can assist with breaches of employment contracts by reviewing the terms in your contract to establish if there has been a breach and communicating with the other party on your behalf.
Where there has been a confirmed breach, we can work to resolve the dispute using Alternative Dispute Resolution methods such as mediation and negotiation. If it is not possible to resolve the dispute outside of court, we have the necessary expertise to represent you in court proceedings and advocate for the best interests of the business.
Non-compete and non-disclosure agreements
Non-compete agreements can prevent employees from working with competitors or starting a similar business for a specified period after leaving your company.
Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) protect confidential information by prohibiting employees from sharing sensitive company data or trade secrets with outside parties.
Non-compete clauses and NDAs can be useful assets for protecting your company’s information in a competitive market, but they must be drafted correctly and in line with the law.
Our Employment Contract Lawyers can work with you to draft fair agreements that protect the interests of the business but do not infringe on the rights of your employees.
Negotiating employment contracts
Negotiating employment contracts involves discussions between an employer and a potential employee to agree on terms of employment.
This includes salary, benefits, job responsibilities, work hours, and other conditions. The aim is to reach a mutually satisfactory agreement that aligns with both parties’ expectations and legal requirements.
Our Employment Contract Solicitors will work with you to negotiate fair employment contracts with your employees and ensure the terms align with your commercial goals.
Frequently asked questions about employment contracts
What is an employment contract?
An employment contract is a legally binding agreement between an employer and an employee outlining the terms and conditions of employment.
It typically includes details such as job title, responsibilities, salary, working hours, holidays, notice periods, and any other benefits or company policies.
The contract may also cover confidentiality, non-compete, and non-disclosure clauses. Both parties must agree to and sign the contract, ensuring that the terms are clear and mutually acceptable.
Employment contracts in the UK are governed by employment law, which ensures fair treatment and protection of workers’ rights.
What are common clauses found in employment contracts?
There are several common clauses found in employment contracts, including:
- Job title
- Pay
- Working hours
- Holiday
- Notice periods
- Pension
- Confidentiality
- Restrictive covenants such as non-compete clauses
- Sabbatical Clause
- Performance-Related Pay Clause
- Relocation Clause
- Mobility Clause
- Training Costs Repayment Clause
- Medical Examination Clause
Are non-compete clauses enforceable?
Non-compete clauses can prevent your employees from working with competitors or starting a similar business for a specified period after leaving your company.
Non-compete clauses are not always enforceable as they do restrict trade. However, you may be able to enforce a clause if the court decides that it is designed to protect your business interests and that it is reasonably necessary to protect those interests.
It is advisable to seek legal advice when drafting a non-compete clause to ensure it is in the best interests of your business, is likely to be legally enforceable in a court of law and does not unreasonably restrict your employees.
What are the legal remedies for breach of an employment contract?
If your employee has breached their contract, you have several options depending on the seriousness of the breach.
If it is minor, then it is generally more time and cost effective to solve the breach internally or through a neutral third party mediator.
If the breach is more serious and has caused your business harm, then you may choose to escalate the matter to court proceedings.
Our Solicitors can assist with drafting a robust employment contract that contains dispute resolution mechanisms.
If a dispute arises, we can assist with Alternative Dispute Resolution methods such as mediation and negotiation.
If it is not possible to resolve your dispute out of court, we have the necessary expertise to represent you in court proceedings.
Get in touch with our Solicitors for employment contracts in the North West of England
To access employment contract legal advice for employers, please contact us at Butcher & Barlow.
You can call us on +44 (0)0161 764 4602 or email enquiries@butcher-barlow.co.uk.
