Changing or adding to staff contracts

This section will guide you through when and how you can change the terms of your . While in some circumstances it will be a simple process because your member consents to the change (eg because you are promoting them), other amendments may be more controversial and must be handled correctly. This section will flag what changes you cannot legally make even if your member agrees to them, and how to amend with minimal disruption to your business.

Reasons to change a staff contract

  1. 1.Am I allowed to change my staff members' contracts?
  2. 2.Do I have to make a formal change in writing to my staff contracts or can it be done verbally?
  3. 3.What type of changes to employee and casual worker contracts do I have to record in writing?
  4. 4.Do I have to formally update my staff member's contract if there has been a minor change to their role or working arrangements?
  5. 5.Can I change my staff member's contract in order to cut their pay, benefits or contractual hours?
  6. 6.Do I need to update a staff member's contract to reflect a promotion or pay rise?
  7. 7.Do I need to update a staff member's contract to reflect a change to the national minimum wage or the national living wage?
  8. 8.Can I change my staff members contracts before or after a business restructure?
  9. 9.Can I change my staff member's usual place of work?
  10. 10.Can I change my staff member's working hours?

Process for changing employee contracts

  1. 11.How do I make a change to my employee's contract?
  2. 12.Can I change my employee's contract without their agreement?
  3. 13.How should I approach a consultation with employees about changes to their contract?
  4. 14.How do I document a change to my employee's employment contract?
  5. 15.Can I make a change without my employee's agreement if their contract says I can?
  6. 16.What do I need to think about if I want to make a change to my employee's contract under a flexibility clause?
  7. 17.If I make a change without my employee's agreement and they carry on working, can they object later?
  8. 18.Can I dismiss and then re-hire an employee on new terms rather than changing their existing contract?

Amending the contracts of staff who are not employees

  1. 19.How can I amend the contract of engagement for a temporary agency worker?
  2. 20.How can I amend a freelancer's contract?
  3. 21.How can I amend the contract of engagement for a casual worker?

Letter to a staff member confirming change of work location

Send this letter to your staff member confirming a change in their work location. You should only use this template letter if your staff member's contract gives you the right to make the change without their agreement (this type of clause in their contract is called a 'mobility clause'). Check your staff member's contract to make sure that it has a mobility clause before using this letter. This letter includes the date the change of work location takes effect from and the new location where your staff member will work. For more guidance see Changing or adding to staff contracts .
£10 + VAT

Contract - casual worker

This casual worker contract is suitable for a casual or zero hours worker and is likely to be most suitable if your staffing needs fluctuate, for example if you have a business model that requires a bank of staff that you can call on as needed, without having to pay them if you have no work. The contract includes all the information that you are legally obliged to provide to your casual worker in writing about their terms of engagement, and is fully customisable to your individual requirements. It also includes a number of standard protections for your business, for example to guard your confidential information and ensure any intellectual property created by the casual worker belongs to the company.
£25 + VAT
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