5.1m fail to read their
contracts properly
At least 5.1m people
in the UK
fail to read their employment contracts properly, meaning that they are not
properly aware of their employer’s and their own contractual obligations,
according to new research from Which? Legal Service.
Which? Legal Service
reports that a survey of over 4,000 people found that 26% of workers only skim
read their employment contracts, while 6% admitted to not having read them at
all. Only three in ten employees received their contract before starting their
job, and 9% didn’t get a contract until they’d been in the post for six months
or more. The survey also revealed that at least two million workers in the UK do not have
an employment contract.
Which? Legal Service
has provided a number of tips for people receiving new employment contracts,
which employers would be well advised to pass on to staff, since then, there
can be no argument that the terms of the contract were not read and understood:
(i) Read your contract (ii) Check the staff handbook where it is referred to;
(ii) Ask questions if terms are not understood; (iv) Sign the document; and (v)
Keep it somewhere safe.
As Which? quite
rightly say “dotting the ‘i’s and crossing the ‘t’s pays dividends in the
long-term” and this benefits both employers and employees.
June 2010
This provides summary information and comment on the subject areas covered. Where employment tribunal and appellate court cases are reported, the information does not set out all of the facts, the legal arguments presented and the judgments made in every aspect of the case. Employment law is subject to constant change either by statute or by interpretation by the courts. While every care has been taken in compiling this information, we cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. Specialist legal advice must be taken on any legal issues that may arise before embarking upon any formal course of action.
