Author: Employment Law Desk

An employment settlement agreement is a legally binding contract that ends an employment dispute — or the employment relationship itself — on agreed terms. In exchange for a package that usually includes a financial payment, the employee agrees not to bring specified claims against the employer in an employment tribunal or court. These agreements are now a routine feature of UK workplace exits, from redundancies and performance disputes to senior-level departures. But they are tightly regulated: an employment settlement agreement is only enforceable if strict statutory conditions are met, including independent legal advice for the employee. This guide explains what…

An employment agreement is the legal deal between you and your employer. It sets out the work you will do, what you will be paid, and the rules both sides must follow. In the UK, the phrase is often used interchangeably with “employment contract”, yet it can describe a wider family of arrangements: written contracts, verbal promises, terms implied by law, collective deals struck with trade unions, and settlement agreements signed when employment ends. Whether you are an employee checking a new job offer or an employer preparing paperwork for a new starter, understanding how an employment agreement works under…

A breach of employment contract happens when an employee or an employer fails to honour a term of the contract of employment. For employees, it might mean unpaid wages, a sudden pay cut, or dismissal without the notice owed. For employers, it could mean a worker walking out mid-shift, refusing to work their notice, or joining a competitor in breach of a restrictive covenant. Whatever side you are on, understanding what counts as a breach of employment contract under UK law — and what you can do about it — can save you considerable money, time and stress. This guide…

Starting a new job, facing redundancy, or locked in a dispute with your employer? An employment contract lawyer can be the difference between signing away your rights and protecting them. Whether you are an employee handed a contract full of unfamiliar clauses, or an employer who needs agreements that will stand up at an Employment Tribunal, getting specialist advice at the right moment saves money, stress, and serious risk. This guide explains when you need an employment contract lawyer, what an employment contract solicitor actually does day to day, how to find employment contract lawyers you can trust, what employment…

Hiring your first employee, or starting a new job, usually begins with paperwork. An employment contract template gives both sides a head start: a ready-made draft of the written terms that will govern the working relationship. But not every template is worth using. A well-drafted UK employment contract template reflects current British employment law, covers the particulars you must provide from the very first day, and leaves room to tailor the details to the role. A poor one can omit legal essentials, include unenforceable clauses, or quietly contradict statutory rights. This guide explains what a good employment contract template includes,…

Your rights at work begin with the deal you strike with your employer. Contracts of employment are the legal agreements between employers and staff that set out pay, hours, duties and the rules of the working relationship. Whether you are an employee checking a new job offer or an employer preparing paperwork for a new starter, understanding how contracts of employment work under UK law helps you avoid disputes and protect your position. This guide explains what contracts of employment are, the main types used across the UK, what the law says they must include, what happens when you are…

Employment rights in the UK are the legal protections that apply to people at work. They cover pay, hours, holidays, contracts, family leave, equality, health and safety, and what happens when employment ends. Knowing your employment rights helps you spot when something is wrong, raise it in the right way, and protect yourself before a small problem becomes a dispute. This guide focuses on the rights themselves: what they are, when they apply, and how they change with length of service. For the wider framework of UK employment law, see our pillar guide on what is employment law. What Are…

So, what is employment law? In the UK, employment law is the body of rules that governs the relationship between workers and the people who employ them. It covers how jobs begin, what happens while someone is employed, and how employment can lawfully end. For employees, it sets out rights and protections. For employers, it sets out duties, procedures and legal risks. Whether you are starting a new role, managing a team, or facing a workplace problem, a clear understanding of employment law helps you act fairly, lawfully and with confidence.This guide gives an overview of the whole landscape of…

Understanding legal work breaks is important for anyone working long shifts or irregular hours in the UK. The law sets rules around rest breaks, daily rest and weekly rest, although the exact rights can depend on your age, type of work and whether a specific exception applies. For most adult workers, the basic rule is that working more than six hours in a day can give you the right to an uninterrupted rest break of at least 20 minutes. However, this does not necessarily mean that every employee is legally entitled to a one-hour lunch break. Employers can also have…

An employment probation period is commonly used when someone starts a new job, giving both the employer and employee an opportunity to assess whether the working relationship is suitable. Probation can cover areas such as performance, conduct, attendance, skills and suitability for the role. However, being on probation does not mean an employee has no legal rights. There is no single statutory probation period that every UK employer must use. The length of probation, how it operates and what happens at the end should normally be set out in the employment contract or written statement of employment terms. Understanding how…