working from home

Employees claiming to have not read their employment contract is no defence when it comes to problems with the employer, and only 1% of workers in the UK claim to have ever read their employment contract and understand its terms.

Ignorance of the employment contract can lead to disciplinary action and result in dismissal. In fact, the majority of disciplinary cases are as a direct result of a worker breaking a clause that was written in the contract, and therefore one that they should be familiar with if they had took the time to read and understand their employment contract.

The most frequent areas of dispute arising from not reading the employment contract include:

  • Good time management. An employment contract usually states the hours of work and whether flexible time is an option. However it is not always the case that employees stick to the contracted hours of work.
  • Social media misuse. Employment contracts and handbooks should set out the company policy of expected behaviour when employees are using social media, including rules around what they can post and what will bring the company into disrepute.
  • Workplace behaviour. The employment contract should set out rules around expected behaviour of employees as well as dress code.

Some companies have tried to cleverly navigate around the issue of employees not reading their contracts by issuing a brief summary of expectations in the hope that the worker is more likely to read the abridged version that significantly reduces contract complexity into understandable bullet points.

This is an innovative method of improving employee/employer relations; however a summary sheet is not legally binding and we would strongly advise employers concerned with this issue to contact a specialist like Avensure to discuss the most appropriate form of contracts.

Disclaimer

Related Post

  • how employers can avoid discrimination when managing sickness absence

    Managing Sickness Absence

    By Rebecca

    22 August 2024

    Read More
  • an employers guide to accidents and incidents

    Guide to Workplace Accidents and Incidents

    By Andy

    15 August 2024

    Read More
  • Avoiding Discrimination in the Workplace: Answers to Employers' Key Questions

    Avoiding Discrimination in the Workplace: Answers to Employers’ Key Questions

    By Rebecca

    10 May 2024

    Read More
  • Article Photos ()

    Understanding Redundancy Selection Criteria: Business Owners’ FAQs

    By Rebecca

    2 May 2024

    Read More
  • Carers Leave Act All Employers Need to Know About the New Law 

    The Carers Leave Act: An Employers Guide to the New Carers Leave Legislation  

    By Rebecca

    23 April 2024

    Read More
  • Flexible Working in – The New Rules and ACAS Code of Practice What All Employers Need to Know

    Request For Flexible Working Changes: New 2024 Rules and Acas Code of Practice: All Employers Need to Know

    By Rebecca

    18 April 2024

    Read More