Depending on the status of your business, you may need to include additional terms, besides those included here. Please note that some of these terms became mandatory in April 2020. Small business employment contracts should contain the following elements:
That’s where Harwood HR Solutions helps. We assist with all your small business employment contracts ensuring that we cover all bases. With us, you save time and money, as well as avoid many legal pitfalls.
Just like large companies, small businesses also need to write employment contracts. It’s mandatory. At Harwood HR Solutions we understand that writing contracts that are fully compliant can be a challenge for small businesses, but it’s still a highly worthwhile activity. Explore our bespoke small business employee contract solutions for your company’s needs.
You need to make employees fully aware of their staff leave entitlements before they take a role. Thus, employment contracts must contain information relating to sick days, annual holidays, bereavement leave and maternity/paternity leave. Clarifying your position on these issues can help avoid problems in the future.
If your employees don’t have employment contracts, know where they stand. Most would like to know how long you intend to hire them. For instance, will they work in a role indefinitely, or for a specific term, after which, they’ll move on?
Contracts help to guarantee job security and, therefore, attract talented people to your firm. When staff feel like they have security, they are more likely to remain in their roles, improving engagement and cutting recruitment costs.
Employment contracts also make it clear precisely what you expect of your new employee. They help to define the boundaries of the role, preventing confusion later on – lines that can sometimes be blurred in small businesses. Employees don’t want to step into a role, only to discover it’s not what they thought it was. Clarity from the start is key.
Yes. A template can be a useful starting point. However, off-the-shelf versions often lack the personalised detail your small business needs. At Harwood HR, we tailor contracts that reflect your business’s structure and comply with legal requirements for employment contracts for small businesses. This ensures clarity, fairness and protection from the start.
Standard employment contracts include essential terms such as job title and description, notice periods, working hours, currency and pay rates, probation period, sick pay, holidays, family leave entitlements, training provisions and pension details. They also cover benefits and disciplinary procedures. A well-drafted contract protects both employer and employee.
We understand urgency when hiring for a small business. Typically, we can provide a bespoke, legally compliant contract swiftly within a few days depending on the urgency and complexity of your requirements.
Absolutely. If your current contracts are outdated or lack clarity, we’ll review and revise them to ensure they reflect your current terms, align with legal standards and support smoother operations.
Yes. We provide support for all types of agreements, including zero‑hour contracts and part‑time employment contracts tailored to your operational needs. We ensure they are legally sound and fair, particularly in light of evolving legislation regarding working hours and zero‑hour contract regulations.
Yes. Our support doesn’t stop after issuing contracts. We offer ongoing HR support services to help you with future compliance issues, updates to employment contracts for small businesses and adapting to legal changes as your business grows.
Organisations that fail to provide the statutory statement of main terms and conditions will breach the rights of their employee.
Read MoreThere are also many types of employment contracts to consider here. Because of this, it can be a good idea to get advice on the law, to make sure they are all drawn up correctly.
Read MoreEmployment contracts are mandatory and you can be fined if you don’t put contracts in place.
Read MoreOur retained HR service offers you all the benefits of having your own HR department, but at a fraction of the cost.
Read MoreExperience the power of Harwood HR and unlock the exclusive H&S portal for just £20 per month.
Read MoreConvenient, flexible and affordable through our portal with NO upfront cost, employees will enjoy an enhanced learning environment.
Read More
The Real Cost of Losing Good People When a skilled team member hands in their notice, the impact goes beyond just recruitment costs. Knowledge walks out the door. Morale takes...
Read more