Contracts and Handbooks Made Simple | advice for retailers
When employment issues arise, robust contracts and carefully crafted employee handbooks are employers’ first line of defence.
Despite this, many small retail businesses still don’t have the necessary documents in place, or are relying on documents that are poorly drafted or out of date. This can be a costly mistake to make.
Join our Employment Law expert from the Bira Legal advice line team for an essential overview of contracts and handbooks, including why every employer needs them, what the law requires, and how to avoid common pitfalls that could leave your business exposed.
27 January, 11.00 am – 12.00 pm
What's on the agenda?
As a small retailer, you may think you can get away with not having formalised employment contracts or an employee handbook. After all, everyone gets along and any disagreements can be ironed out easily, right?
The reality is that when it comes to your workforce, it’s impossible to predict what might occur. When disputes inevitably arise, these documents become invaluable – protecting your position and enabling you to demonstrate that you followed standard policies and treated everyone equally. This is even more crucial as your business grows.
And it’s not just good practice – it’s also a legal obligation. By law, workers and employees have the right to a written contract or a statement outlining key job details. As of April 2020, employers must provide this basic information in writing on or before the employee/worker’s first day of work.
With significant changes to employment law recently and more reforms on the horizon, now is the time to get your contracts and handbooks in order to ensure your business remains compliant and able to manage issues confidently.
What you'll learn
Specifically geared towards small retail businesses, this session will cover:
- Why have them: When employee or worker relations disputes arise, the impact on small businesses – both in terms of time and money – can be much more onerous. Learn how having clear contracts and handbooks in place early can save you from costly legal issues later down the line.
- Legal necessities: Small businesses may assume they’re exempt from certain regulations, but when it comes to employment contracts, this isn’t the case. Understand what employers must provide, and when, to stay compliant with employment law.
- Best practice: In today’s economic climate, every penny counts. Discover key provisions that, while not legally required, can help to protect your business from a commercial perspective.
- Benefits of having a handbook: While not a legal requirement, employee handbooks can be ‘legally persuasive’. Find out what makes an effective handbook and how having one can benefit your business.
- Common pitfalls: Small businesses often fall into common traps that can lead to confusion, complications, or legal issues. Learn how to avoid key mistakes such as having multiple separate or contradictory policies.
- FAQs: What’s the difference between a handbook and a policy? What are contractual versus non-contractual handbooks? And why does the tone of your handbook matter? Get answers to the common queries the Bira Legal team receive daily.
Got a question for our host?
Submit it via the registration form – we’ll aim to answer as many as possible at the end of the session.
Register for our free session
Online course: Managing Sickness Absence
11 February - 9:30am - 1:00pm
Join our open course to learn how to address absence issues effectively whilst managing your duty of care to employees.
Employee absence is the biggest non-recoverable cost to your organisation, making absence management an essential skill for managers. Whether dealing with short intermittent absence or long-term incapacity, this course will help you to address issues effectively and strike the right balance between the needs of the organisation and your duty of care to employees.
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