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Where do contract terms come from?

Contract terms can come from a number of different sources; for example they could be:

If there's anything in your contract that you're unsure about, or which is confusing, ask your employer to explain it to you.

It should be made clear what is a legally binding part of your contract and what is not. The legal parts of a contract are known as 'terms'.

If either you or your employer breaks a term of the contract, the other is entitled to sue for breach of contract.

• Breach of contract

Collective agreements

Employers sometimes make agreements with a trade union or staff association. These are know as 'collective agreements'. Your contract should make it clear which agreements apply to you and who can negotiate on your behalf. These agreements can apply to you even if you're not a member of the trade union or staff association.

• Introduction to trade unions

Implied contract terms

Implied terms aren't written down anywhere, but are understood to exist. If there's nothing clearly agreed between you and your employer about a particular matter, then it may be covered by an implied term. Terms are implied into a contract for a number of reasons.

Terms that are necessary to make the contract work

Terms can also be implied because they are necessary to make the contract work. The most important of these is the 'duty of mutual trust and confidence'. This means that you and your employer rely on each other to be honest and respectful. For example, your employer trusts you not to destroy company property, and you trust your employer not to bully you.

Terms that are obvious or assumed

Some terms are included either because they are so obvious that it is not felt necessary to write them down, or because it will be assumed that such a term exists.

An example of this might be where a contract provides for sick pay without saying how long it will be paid. It will be assumed that it is not intended to be paid forever.

Terms implied by custom and practice

These are specific to an employer or kind of work. They are arrangements that have never been clearly agreed but over time have become part of the contract.

For example, you might get a Christmas bonus every year, or the business might close early on particular days.

If a company practice has become a part of your contract then your employer must stick to it, and cannot normally change it without your agreement.

• Changes to employment contracts

Whether a particular practice has become a part of the contract can be very difficult to decide. There is no fixed time limit after which something is definitely part of the contract.

Among other things, it depends on:

Can your employer change the terms of your contract?

Generally there must be agreement between you and your employer in order to change a contract.

• Changes to employment contracts

If your employer is bought by another company, or moves to a new location, your existing terms and conditions should continue. However, the new owners should give you an amended written statement in their name.

• Relocation of work

• Your rights if your employer is bought by another company

Useful contacts

• Acas (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service)

• Citizens Advice Bureau

• Jobcentre Plus

• businesslink.gov.uk Opens new window

• More useful contacts