LRD guides and handbook February 2005

Contracts of employment - a legal guide

Introduction (669 words)

Terms and conditions of employment are governed by a wide range of laws and the determination of legal rights is increasingly complex. But the ...

1. What makes an employment contract (1662 words)

A contract is an agreement made between two or more parties that is enforceable in law. In a contract of employment, the employee agrees ...

2. Types of employment contract (2661 words)

The principles outlined in the previous chapter apply to all types of contract that may govern an employment relationship. However, the nature of that ...

3. Written details that must be provided (984 words)

Although a contract of employment does not have to be in writing, an employer must provide an employee with certain details of their employment ...

4. Terms of the contract (4355 words)

The contract of employment sets out the rights and obligations of the employee and their employer. These are referred to as the terms and ...

5. Changes to the contract (2046 words)

There are a number of reasons why the terms and conditions of a contract of employment might change - working practices may be varied ...

6. Termination of the contract of employment (1157 words)

A contract of employment can be terminated by either party either with or without notice, depending on the circumstances. ...

7. Remedies for breach of contract (2596 words)

If an employer imposes a change to the contract of employment on the employee in breach of contract, the employee will be entitled to ...

8. Constructive dismissal (2198 words)

A constructive dismissal occurs where an employee terminates their employment in response to conduct by their employer which amounts to a breach of contract. ...

Further information (328 words)

The Labour Research Department publishes a number of guides to the law that examine in greater detail some of the issues raised in this ...