My place of employment had decided to give us all proper contracts.  These have now been issued and we have a 'consultation period' before we are being asked to sign them.  Nobody, and I mean nobody, belongs to a union.  I am now thinking that I should ask someone to check over my contract on my behalf otherwise how do I know if I am getting a good deal (a few extra days holiday makes it seem so much more attractive but that might just be a smoke screen).

Does anyone know where I can go to get help or advice.  I guess the CAB might help but it might need someone who specialises in such things.

Any advice to offer?

Thanks.

CAB would be an inexpensive and impartial route. - what about department of trade???

Law centre ? CAB ? DTI ? 

Hi Jackyjat,

ACAS is usually good info for this sort of thing :  http://www.acas.org.uk/  (sorry, can't master the link thing yet :P )

Regards, Teri ;)

Hi Jacky

Another possible route to take is to contact local solicitors' practices and enquire if a) they have a solicitor specialising in employment law and b) if they offer a free or reduced price initial consultation and if one does pop in for an initial consultation with the specialist, which may be sufficient to have your contract looked at and commented upon. 

Lesley

Thank you for your suggestions everyone.  I shall follow up on them today.

Thanks

I agree - ACAS are really good with things like this.

Jackyjat, I have worked in employment law for the last 4 years.  My advice for you is to get in touch with ACAS as they are very helpful and you can send them your contract of employment and they will go over it with a fine toothcomb...the other suggestion is that you seek a solicitors point of view...unfortunately they will have to charge you, thats the downside to this.  There is now all new rules and regulations of employment and if there is anything that is a miss in your contract ACAS will pick it up straight away.

Good luck

Hope this helps.

Sal

It is not an answer to this thread exactly,but does anyone know when you should be entitled to receive a contract of employment for a new job? I have been in my job now for 3wks (love every minute of it) but when I enquired about a contract they said "Em oh yes it will be given to you after your probationary period of three months". On my previous jobs I have always received a contract from the outset and on it has been outlined any probationary time etc.

Thanks in advance,
Jacqueline :)

Hi Jacqueline,

I would not expect a contract of employment too soon (OH would be shocked if I just took employment but that's another story :D :D )  I'd imagine it to be normal to go through the probation period first.

Regards, Teri :)

Hi jacqueline

It really depends on the employer and the probationary period set by them. I would not worry too much about it, ask them again just before your probationary period ends, normally with these contracts some employers do not give them out until you have completed either 3 or 6 months probation.  If it does worry you and you have not signed anything after your period do ask them as you have rights as an employee under the Employment Act to ask for a contract of employment.

Good luck in the job

Regards

Sally

Hi Jacqueline,

Take a look at the DTI link in Moonmaiden's post further up.  Here's a pertinant quote from it:

"All employees taken on for one month or more are entitled by law to be given, within two months of the date the employment starts, a written statement setting out the main particulars. This statement will not necessarily cover every aspect of the contract, but will constitute important evidence of the principal terms and conditions. Further information about the right to a written statement can be found in Written Statement of Employment Particulars (PL700)." 

Everyone should have a right good nosey round the DTI site as it is a mine of useful information about all sorts of employment matters :)

Lesley

It was one of my most visited sites when I was an employee

I use it a lot too in the course of my work Moonmaiden, and find it very readable, straightforward and easy to navigate. It was also especially helpful when my OH was being made redundant :)

Lesley

Just to say thanks to everyone who gave me advice.I will 'remind' my employer about the contract near the end of my 3months probation time ;)
I'm working as a daycentre driver/attendant now,following my redundancy last Oct. and it is very rewarding work. I get 3hr lunchbreaks so when Spice is not at work with hubby (which is most days anyway ;) ) she can still get long walks and lots of fussing,so it has worked out really well.
Jacqueline :)