Verbal contracts - Have you any rights?

smackdog

Hello there.

Can anyone offer some advice on this?

After the company I used to work for went into liquidation,
I managed to get a job 6 weeks later with another employer.
They offered me and a guy I used to work with a "VERBAL" 6 month contract.
This began on the 10th of February.
3 to 4 months down the line after asking repeatedly for our contracts, we have finally received our contracts stating our contract will terminate on the 30th June 2010. Our “VERBAL” contract was supposed to finish on the 10th of August.
I know a verbal contract isn’t worth the paper it is written on, but have we any comebacks with this?
We kind of had an idea this was going to happen, as this job is winding down and a new “opportunity” of working 400 miles away started raising its head. We kind of realised that the stalling of the contracts was tied in with if we didn’t accept this new venture 400 miles away, they would then send us out our contracts finishing at an earlier date. If we accept the new job, I dare say our contract will be extended to 10th of August and maybe beyond.

Oh, just a thought, our contracts are dated 3rd June 2010

Thanks very much in advance.:A

fengirl_2

A verbal contract in UK law is valid. However, is there is no more work where you are now, the employer can amend that contract - you cannot force them to give you work which does not exist up to 10 August.