Contracts, consultancy agreements and policies

Contracts, Consultancy Agreements and Policies

Getting the right contracts, policies and procedures in place ensures that all employers, managers and employees know where they stand.

Clear, tailored documents drafted by solicitors reduce the risk of misunderstandings, help you comply with employment law and provide a guide for managing staff effectively.

It is anticipated that new rules on fire and rehire contained in the Employment Rights Bill will come into force in October 2026. Any employers considering making changes to their terms and conditions should consider doing this well before the new rules are expected to come into force.

Contact our solicitors for contract and policy support

Why are contracts of employment important?

Every employee is legally entitled to a written statement of their key terms from day one of employment. A well-drafted contract of employment is an opportunity to protect your business and your employees.

Contracts can:

Set out ownership of intellectual property created during employment
Protect confidential information during and after employment
Restrict staff from poaching clients, suppliers or colleagues after they leave
Clarify working hours, pay, benefits and obligations

Instead of using a generic employee contract, we will tailor each document to your business so that restrictive covenants are more likely to be enforceable and your interests are fully protected.

Why are consultancy agreements necessary?

In some cases, a consultancy agreement can be more appropriate than a contract of employment.

We can discuss the differences between employees, workers and self-employed contractors with you and decide which arrangement is reflective of the true situation.

If appropriate, we can prepare a consultancy agreement ensuring that both the business and the individual consultant and any company they are engaged through are aware of their duties and obligations.

Do you need a staff handbook?

There’s a common misconception that staff handbooks are only valuable to big companies. This is simply not true.

Staff handbooks set out policies and procedures all in one place, helping managers apply them consistently and ensuring staff understand what is expected, whether they have a handful of employees or hundreds.

A clear handbook can also demonstrate compliance with employment law and act as evidence in defending tribunal claims.

What policies and procedures should your business have in place?

We prepare and review a wide range of workplace policies, including:

Disciplinary procedures
Capability (ill health or performance) procedures
Grievance procedures
Equality, diversity and inclusion
Harassment policy
Flexible, home and hybrid working
Family leave policies
Holiday and sickness policies
Compassionate and Carers leave
IT, data protection and privacy
Social media
Expenses, tips, gifts and hospitality
Whistleblowing
Health & Safety
Other key policies, including dress codes, anti-bribery and anti-facilitation of tax evasion confidentiality and more.