Employment contract red flag?

lloyde92 · 24 November 2021 at 7:09PM

Hi there

Due to start a full-time permanent contract in a few weeks & wondered if I could get some advice?

I was informally told my working hours during the interview, which I was happy with, but they haven't been written into my contract (which is only 1 page).

Should I ask the employer to put my working hours into the contract to avoid any problems down the line?

Thanks so much for any help

TELLIT01 · 24 November 2021 at 7:29PM

I would as currently you have nothing to show either how many hours per week you are expected to work, or the start and finish times.

Alanp · 24 November 2021 at 7:44PM

If you haven’t signed it then ask for a revised contract showing the hours you agreed to, not sure how you go about it if you’ve signed already, but it can’t hurt to ask..

74jax · 24 November 2021 at 7:52PM

Is it the contract you have or the initial offer?

If it is the contract, is there anything else you think is missing, might as well get it all added at the same time.

Sandtree · 24 November 2021 at 7:57PM

Most contracts have a "or as required" suffix if they have the hours of work in them and as such it carries very little weight

General_Grant · 24 November 2021 at 8:22PM

lloyde92 said:

Hi there
Due to start a full-time permanent contract in a few weeks & wondered if I could get some advice?
I was informally told my working hours during the interview, which I was happy with, but they haven't been written into my contract (which is only 1 page).
Should I ask the employer to put my working hours into the contract to avoid any problems down the line?
Thanks so much for any help

I don't know what you mean by the working hours not having been written into your 1-page contract.
Is this a document you are expected to sign or just a note from your prospective employer?

No later than the day you begin your employment your employer is required by law to give you a written statement of the main terms of your employment. That includes the hours and days of your expected work times. See Employment contracts: Written statement of employment particulars - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

lloyde92 · 24 November 2021 at 9:59PM

General_Grant said:

lloyde92 said:

Hi there
Due to start a full-time permanent contract in a few weeks & wondered if I could get some advice?
I was informally told my working hours during the interview, which I was happy with, but they haven't been written into my contract (which is only 1 page).
Should I ask the employer to put my working hours into the contract to avoid any problems down the line?
Thanks so much for any help

I don't know what you mean by the working hours not having been written into your 1-page contract.
Is this a document you are expected to sign or just a note from your prospective employer?

No later than the day you begin your employment your employer is required by law to give you a written statement of the main terms of your employment. That includes the hours and days of your expected work times. See Employment contracts: Written statement of employment particulars - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Thanks for your response.

That’s right, the 1-page document is the employment contract they want me to sign.

I’m wondering if getting email clarification in writing would carry as much weight.

Theres also no info about holiday/sick policy and they require me to pay my own tax on my salary.

(Company in question is a media/journalism startup)

Sandtree · 24 November 2021 at 10:02PM

lloyde92 said:
Theres also no info about holiday/sick policy and they require me to pay my own tax on my salary.

Then you arent going to be an employee

lloyde92 · 24 November 2021 at 10:37PM

Sandtree said:

lloyde92 said:
Theres also no info about holiday/sick policy and they require me to pay my own tax on my salary.

Then you arent going to be an employee

Yeah. It basically sounds like an ongoing contractor role (not quite what I thought). Will need to ask them a bunch of questions before I sign. Thanks for your input

Savvy_Sue · 24 November 2021 at 10:44PM

Sandtree said:

lloyde92 said:
Theres also no info about holiday/sick policy and they require me to pay my own tax on my salary.

Then you arent going to be an employee

THAT's the red flag.

lloyde92 · 24 November 2021 at 11:02PM

Savvy_Sue said:

Sandtree said:

lloyde92 said:
Theres also no info about holiday/sick policy and they require me to pay my own tax on my salary.

Then you arent going to be an employee

THAT's the red flag.

Yep, a pretty big one.

My worry is them cancelling the work just before I begin, in which case I wouldn’t have a leg to stand on I imagine…

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Employment contract red flag?

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