We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.

This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Contract advice please

Hi,

I am after some advice about a change of contract.

I have been employed by a company for 13 years and the company has now merged with another so that we are all under a new company.

I was told that this would not affect my job at all, and as far as my actual work has gone, it has not.

However, three weeks ago, I received a new contract through the post which is completely different to my previous contract which has been in place since I started.

The new contract does not state my hours, pay, original start date (only the date the companies merged), or any details of my duties apart from job title (and a clause stating any other duties required by the company).

There are also a few other changes I am quite concerned about:

- In my new contract, I will lose a weeks' holiday as I gained a week through verbal agreement which has been omitted by this contract.

- It has a clause stating that I am required to travel to any work place within 'reasonable travelling distance' which was not in my original contract.

- If the employee is suspended on suspicion of gross misconduct, this will be unpaid (Originally if you were suspended it was paid until proven'

- The company can put employees on 'short-time' or lay off if there is not enough work, i.e. if the company don't have enough work one day I won't get paid.

- Benefits such as death in service which I was previously entitled to have been omitted.

There has been no consultation about this, I tried to speak to my boss a couple of weeks ago but was told to sign it and they would honor my original terms (so why the new contract??!!)

Don't know what to do now, so would appreciate any advice. I don't think this is legal but if I refuse to sign it then are they within their rights to make me redundant? Any job is better than none at the moment!

Many thanks for any help,

Comments

  • Southend1
    Southend1 Posts: 3,362 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    DO NOT sign the new contract until you have taken advice. Contact your union rep tomorrow. If you are not a union member, speak to an employment lawyer.
  • Thanks, I have not signed the contract, not sure how long before I start getting pressure to! I was thinking of consulting a solicitor but thought I would ask on here first as have had very useful advice in the past. Do you know if I am still covered under the terms of my previous contract until I get chance to see a solicitor?
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 352.1K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253.6K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 454.2K Spending & Discounts
  • 245.1K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 600.8K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 177.5K Life & Family
  • 258.9K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.