Employment Contract Lawyers

Clear, confident advice on employment contracts and agreements

 

All employees are entitled to an employment contract, but when they are packed with business protections and restrictions they can feel stacked in the employer’s favour. 

We cut through the jargon to explain exactly where you stand. We advise what is enforceable and how to negotiate, whether at the start of employment or when new terms are offered.  

We have particular expertise in advising on post-termination restrictions and complex bonus and remuneration terms.  

    Request a consultation

    Simply complete the form and a member of our team will be in touch





    Contact our expert Employment Lawyers to find out how we can help

    0161 926 9969

    We help you to understand your terms of employment and negotiate these with your employer,

    avoiding the risk of nasty surprises or misunderstandings. 

    Employment Law solicitors Manchester

    Our services include:

    • Drafting and reviewing employment contracts;
    • Reviewing and advising you on the terms of your contract of employment; 
    • Representing you in contract negotiations and contract disputes with your employer; 
    • Reviewing Senior Executive Service Agreements;
    • Advising you on the enforceability of post-termination restrictions and confidentiality obligations contained within your contract of employment – Restrictive covenants and post-termination clauses; 
    • Helping you enforce your legal right to receive a contract of employment under the Employment Rights Act 1996;
    • Advising you on the terms of complex bonus and remuneration schemes;
    • Confidentiality and intellectual property terms;
    • Consultancy and freelance agreements;
    • Changes to existing employment terms.
    Speak to our Employment Team

    0161 926 9969

    Our Approach

    All of our highly experienced Employment Law solicitors are Legal 500 recommended leaders in their field, who provide jargon-free, commercial legal advice. We speak to you in plain English and provide specialist, practical and pro-active solutions for you.

    We take the time to understand you and the challenges you face, enabling us to provide bespoke advice which is tailored to you.

    Testimonial

    “Firstly may I thank you for your excellent help and advice given in resolving this situation to an outcome that was far better than I had expected or hoped it would be!! Thank you once again for your excellent help you have given me to resolve this settlement to such a good outcome which is greatly appreciated!!”

    -PH

    FAQs

    1. Do I have to be provided with a contract of employment?

      Yes. Employees must be given a written contract, setting out certain key aspects of their employment, such as salary and access to training. 

    2. When should I be given a written contract?

      The legal right to receive a written statement of particulars of employment means that a contract outlining certain proscribed terms and conditions must be given on the first day of employment, not within two months, as previously required. 

    3. What are the different types of contract that are available?

      Contracts can be drafted to allow an employee to work permanently, temporarily for a fixed term or as an independent contractor. They can also be adapted to suit different levels of seniority. 

    4. Can my employer make changes to my contract?

      A contract of employment can be amended or updated during employment. Your employer should obtain your consent to any changes but it can also be done after your employer has followed a particular process of consultation with you. 

    5. What is a zero hours contract?

      As the name suggests, this type of contract covers a flexible arrangement where no minimum number of working hours needs to be offered by the employer or worked by the worker. This type of contract usually means that such a worker has fewer legal rights, affecting things like sick pay and the ability to claim unfair dismissal. 

    Speak to us to see
    how we can help

    0161 926 9969

    Why choose the mlplaw team?

    • Unparalleled Expertise and Experience

    We are vastly experienced, Legal-500 recommended Employment Tribunal experts who live and breathe Employment Law. From executive exits and tackling issues like unfair dismissal and discrimination to diving into the complexity of holiday pay – there is no Employment Law challenge we haven’t met head on. We provide empathetic and robust legal support to employees, helping them to achieve their successful outcomes.

    • Your case, your service

    You are unique, as are the challenges you face. That’s why our approach is always tailored to you. We don’t like one-size-fits-all strategies. We’re all about crafting tailored strategies that fit your specific needs. Communication is key. We’re fluent in plain language and have no time for legal jargon. We believe in complete transparency and  proactivity, providing you with a clear path and fixed fees so you’re never caught off guard.

    • We keep your options open

    The road to success isn’t a one-way street, and we’re here to keep your options open. We’re masters of alternative dispute resolution methods, such as mediation and negotiation, which are the keys to sidestepping the time, money, and stress of legal claims.

     


      Request a consultation

      Simply complete the form and a member of our team will be in touch





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       4th Nov 2021

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      Remote and Hybrid Working and Changes to Working Practices
       13th May 2022

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      Yesterday saw the remaining Covid provisions relating to SSP end, meaning that...

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      Government Announcement – New gratuity and tipping bill in the works
       23rd Feb 2022

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      ‘Worker status’ leads to successful claim for Backdated Holiday Pay
       10th Mar 2022

      Having succeeded in a previous claim, asserting that he was a worker...

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      The news that P&O Ferries has decided to sack 800 employees and...

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      Are Employees Entitled to an Extra Day of Holiday for Jubilee?
       23rd May 2022

      This year, it has been decided that the Spring bank holiday (normally...

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      When can an Employer have a Protected Conversation?
       14th Oct 2021

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      The Pandemic and Annual Leave
       22nd Jun 2021

      Recent travel chaos has not dimmed the desire of many to travel...

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       19th Jul 2021

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      Managing the “pingdemic” – when do my employees need to self-isolate?
       28th Jul 2021

      As COVID infection rates remain high, and the so-called “pingdemic” continues to...

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      Your health and safety obligations post-Freedom Day – freedom in, health and safety out?
       28th Jul 2021

      For many people, 19th July 2021 was “Freedom Day”, when the majority...

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      “Hybrid working” – what is it and how do you get it right?
       28th Jul 2021

      There is no denying that the COVID19 pandemic has drastically changed the...

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      Your post-Freedom Day workplace
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      mlpflex - helping out
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      Can employers reduce salary for homeworking employees?
       16th Sep 2021

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      Paid time off for Covid Vaccines
       27th Sep 2021

      A recent study by ACAS (the employment conciliation service) showed that 75%...

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      MLP Law’s Furlough Review
       30th Sep 2021

      Workplaces have changed a lot in the past 18 months and employers...

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      Top Tips for Employers as Furlough Ends
       13th Sep 2021

      With the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (Furlough) due to end later this...

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      North West Businesses amongst most Confident in UK about Economic Recovery
       3rd Sep 2021

      A survey of British business confidence has highlighted an optimistic attitude, predicting...

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      mlpflex - preventing problems before they arise
      With or Without mlpflex – A Tale of Two Outcomes
       19th Aug 2021

      mlpflex works proactively, our specialists identifying solutions long before problems even arise....

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      Menopause in the Workplace
       25th Aug 2021

      The entire working population is ageing, with more of us working for...

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      The NHS Covid Pass
       25th Aug 2021

      With the introduction of the Government’s new NHS Covid Pass (the Pass),...

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      Employment Tribunal Covid Decisions
       26th Aug 2021

      As personnel decisions made by businesses and employers during the pressure of...

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      Compulsory Retirement and Age Discrimination
       5th Oct 2021

      Although there is no longer a default retirement age implied by law,...

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      Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about….Managing Sickness Absence…but were too afraid to ask
       17th Sep 2020

      Sickness absence can have a disruptive effect on a business and should...

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      Virgin Atlantic Removes Cabin Crew Make-Up Policy
       8th Mar 2019

      Virgin Atlantic recently announced that it is changing its dress code, so...

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      What is a protected conversation?
       4th Feb 2019

      A protected conversation is a way for your employer to have an...

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      Are vegans protected from discrimination?
       24th Oct 2018

      In April 2018, the Guardian published an article about the “unstoppable rise...

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      Settlement Agreements & the British #MeToo scandal
       25th Oct 2018

      Sir Philip Green has been named in Parliament as a businessman who...

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      Banter or Bullying?
       29th Oct 2018

      “There has obviously from time to time been some banter, but as...

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      Does my business need a policy on social media use for my employees? #Yes
       28th Jan 2019

      The ever increasing popularity of social media means that your employees are...

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      Mental Health Awareness Week – How can you promote well-being in your workplace?
       15th May 2019

      As an employer, mental health and well-being should be high on your...

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      Should you pay staff for working before or after their contractual hours?
       20th May 2019

      Employees are obliged to work the hours set out in their employment...

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      Common misconceptions preventing businesses from using mediation
       9th May 2019

      Mediation is a completely voluntary and confidential way of resolving workplace disputes...

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      Top 5 things you need to know about our innovative product mlpflex
       18th Apr 2019

      One size doesn’t fit all – MLP Flex is a tailored Legal...

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      Debenhams – How their recent announcement signals change in the retail sector and how this might affect you.
       29th Apr 2019

      Debenhams’ recent announcement that it would be closing 22 stores, a decision...

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      What can you do if your employees are late due to public transport chaos?
       12th Jun 2019

      You may have seen that one of this week’s headlines is the...

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      GDPR and the Tendering process
       24th Apr 2018

      The new data protection regulations, or GDPR as it is most commonly...

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      Do I need a visa to work in the UK?
       24th May 2018

      Prior to starting a job in the UK, an employer must check...

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      The World Cup: Goals For Employers
       5th Jun 2018

      Just when we thought the football season was over, from Thursday 14...

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      Worker or Self-employed? EAT find Addison Lee cyclists to be workers and not self-employed
       11th Jun 2018

      The latest high profile case brought by individuals challenging the so called...

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      Employers Guide to Apprenticeships
       17th Apr 2018

      What is an Apprenticeship? An apprenticeship benefits both employers and individuals, by...

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      EEA-workers in the UK labour market: Interim Update
       27th Mar 2018

      In July 2017 the Migration Advisory Committee (“MAC”) was commissioned by the...

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      Can you retract a job offer?
       27th Mar 2018

      It has recently hit the headlines that Uber have retracted an offer...

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      How do I bring a claim against my employer?
       14th Mar 2018

      Bringing a claim against your employer can be daunting, so we have...

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      What visa do I need for the UK?
       16th Mar 2018

        Who needs a visa for the UK? British citizens, Commonwealth citizens...

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      GDPR: Is consent enough to allow employers to process employee’s data?
       16th Mar 2018

      As part of our series of short blogs about the General Data...

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      GDPR: Do employers need to update their data protection policies to make them GDPR compliant?
       20th Mar 2018

      As part of our series of short blogs about the General Data...

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      Spitting feathers – what does the Jamie Carragher incident tell us about how employers deal with misconduct outside of work?
       20th Mar 2018

      The details of the incident involving ex-Liverpool FC player Jamie Carragher do...

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      Summer is here: 5 Employment issues all employers face over summer
       26th Jun 2018

      Summer has landed and temperatures are set to soar. But as employers...

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      A coffee with Stephen Attree
       27th Jun 2018

      The legal industry has experienced a period of flux in recent years,...

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      How does the development of AI (Artificial Intelligence) affect legal services?
       16th Aug 2018

      There is an AI buzz in the air at the moment –...

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      Schoolgirl awarded £16,000 in Pizza Hut sexual harassment case
       24th Aug 2018

      A London schoolgirl has been awarded compensation by an employment tribunal in...

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      Baffled by right to work checks?
       28th Aug 2018

      During the first quarter of 2018, the Home Office handed out £7.7...

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      Beware the ‘offer of help’ from recruiters!
       11th Sep 2018

      Recruiters can be loved or loathed but if they are not approached...

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      Jose Mourinho v Anthony Martial and the right to paternity leave
       8th Aug 2018

      It has been reported in the media this week that Manchester United...

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      Retrospective sleep-in payments worth £400m put to bed
       3rd Aug 2018

      An Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) decision that a care worker working for...

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      My employees are resigning, what can I do?!
       16th Jul 2018

      It’s been another interesting week for the Prime Minister, with ministers and...

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      Top 7 tips for international students wanting to work in the UK
       25th Jul 2018

      Many international students at UK universities will be keen to continue their...

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      Employers’ guide to EU Settlement Scheme
       26th Jul 2018

      The Government is still trying to reach agreement with the EU on...

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      Proactive vs Reactive: use your time wisely
       30th Jul 2018

      The Telegraph has reported that one of the major ways businesses waste...

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      Employer’s CJRS Guidance Update
       5th May 2020

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      Everything you wanted to know about…Unfair Dismissal…but were too afraid to ask.
       7th May 2020

      This week we start our new series, examining key employment law concepts. ...

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      Chancellor confirms that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is to continue until October 2020.
       12th May 2020

      The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, has today confirmed that the...

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      Returning to work: Who? How? When?
       12th May 2020

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      Everything you wanted to know about…Annual Leave…but were too afraid to ask!
       15th May 2020

      The legislation and rules surrounding annual leave can often be difficult to...

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      Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – Portal Open
       20th Apr 2020

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      Update – Further guidance on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
       17th Apr 2020

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       26th Mar 2020

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       27th Mar 2020

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       30th Mar 2020

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       6th Apr 2020

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       22nd May 2020

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       27th May 2020

      Disciplining employees is an inevitable part of running a business and needs...

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       6th Aug 2020

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       16th Jul 2020

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      Changes to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – how will the scheme work between June and October 2020?
       1st Jun 2020

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       18th Jun 2020

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       9th Jul 2020

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       24th Mar 2020

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       12th Jul 2019

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       7th Nov 2019

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       18th Nov 2019

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       21st Nov 2019

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       22nd Nov 2019

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       3rd Dec 2019

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       17th Sep 2019

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       12th Aug 2019

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       4th Mar 2020

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       18th Mar 2020

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       15th Jan 2020

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      Understanding Employment Contracts

      Common scenarios we advise on

      • Starting a new job or hiring a new employee
      • Promoting staff into leadership roles
      • Updating contracts to meet legal changes
      • Dealing with restrictive covenant concerns
      • Negotiating exit terms or enhanced redundancy packages
      • Challenging unfair terms as an employee

      Why employment contracts matter
      Employment contracts are more than just paperwork they are the legal framework that defines the rights and responsibilities of both employer and employee. While not every term has to be in writing, having a clear, written agreement is the best way to avoid confusion or disagreement later on.

      Key terms typically include pay, working hours, notice periods, holiday entitlement, sick pay, and job responsibilities. But many contracts also contain more technical clauses such as restrictive covenants (which limit what an employee can do after leaving) or intellectual property rights. These areas are where legal advice becomes especially important.

      For employers: protecting your business
      Employers often rely on templates or outdated contracts that no longer reflect current law or business needs. We help you review, update or create contracts that are compliant, fair and robust especially for key roles or senior hires. If you’re bringing in a director or drafting a consultancy agreement, we’ll ensure your position is protected and that your documents are legally watertight.

      We also help you future-proof your contracts. That means including terms that give you flexibility as your business grows for example, mobility clauses, variation terms, and appropriate confidentiality protections.

      For employees: protecting your rights
      If you’ve been offered a new role or asked to sign a contract, it’s worth taking legal advice before agreeing to anything. We’ll review the terms, explain what they mean in plain English, and highlight anything unusual or unfair. This can include long notice periods, unclear bonus clauses, or restrictions on what you can do after leaving.

      We also support employees in negotiation whether you’re starting a new job, leaving on agreed terms, or dealing with a contract dispute. Our aim is always to help you feel informed, confident and protected.

      Making changes to an existing contract
      Employers can’t usually change terms of employment unilaterally. If you need to vary a contract whether to adjust hours, responsibilities, or pay we’ll guide you through the right legal process to avoid risk. Similarly, if you’re an employee facing contract changes you didn’t agree to, we can help you understand your options and rights.

      Get advice early and avoid problems later
      Most disputes around employment contracts come down to misunderstanding, vague drafting or assumptions made on both sides. Getting clear legal advice at the beginning can save time, money and stress in the long run.

      At mlplaw, we specialise in helping people and businesses get contracts right from the start or fix them when they go wrong. Whether you’re hiring, being hired, leaving a role, or just unsure about a document in front of you, we’re here to help.