Changes to Your Employment Contract: Understand Your Rights

Understanding Your Rights: Changes to Your Employment Contract

If you’re a worker in the UK facing changes to your employment contract, it’s important to understand your rights to ensure you’re treated fairly. Contractual changes can include modifications to your hours, pay, job role, or workplace location, among others. Here’s a guide to help you navigate through these changes.

What Constitutes a Contractual Change?

An employment contract is a legally binding agreement between you and your employer. Changes to this contract can be proposed for various reasons, such as business restructuring, changes in law, or operational needs. However, no change to your contract should be made without your agreement unless there’s a specific clause in your contract allowing such changes.

Your Rights When Facing Contractual Changes:

Right to Consultation:

Consultation: Your employer should discuss any proposed changes with you before implementing them. This process should involve explaining the reasons for the change and considering any alternatives you propose.
Collective Agreement: If changes affect a group of employees, there might be a collective agreement in place, managed by a union, which can influence how changes are negotiated.

Agreement Required:

Mutual Consent: Generally, changes to your contract need your agreement. If you don’t agree, your employer cannot unilaterally enforce the changes without potentially breaching your contract.

Working Under Protest:

If changes are imposed without your consent, you can continue to work “under protest” while making it clear that you do not agree to the changes. Document this in writing to your employer. This approach gives you time to seek a resolution or legal advice without implying acceptance of the changes.

Legal Protections:

Breach of Contract: If your employer changes your contract without agreement, you might have a claim for breach of contract, especially if you experience financial loss as a result.
Unfair Dismissal: If your employer terminates your contract with the intent to rehire you on new terms (fire and rehire), you might have grounds for an unfair dismissal claim if you have sufficient service. Note, however, that this practice might be banned under new legislation.
Discrimination: Ensure that any proposed change does not discriminate against you based on protected characteristics like age, sex, race, etc. Changes that discriminate could lead to claims under equality law.

New Legislation Considerations:

Labour’s Employment Rights Bill: Recent proposals include making unfair dismissal protection a day-one right, potentially impacting how contractual changes can be implemented. Stay informed about these developments as they could alter your rights.

Steps to Take

Review Your Contract: Check for any clauses that might allow your employer to make changes.
Document Communication: Keep records of all discussions and correspondence regarding the changes.
Seek Advice: Consult with a trade union if you’re a member, or seek advice from Acas, Citizens Advice, or legal professionals.
Negotiate: Propose alternatives if you disagree with the changes.
Legal Action: Consider tribunal claims if your rights are breached, but always attempt to resolve issues internally first.

So in conclusion

Navigating changes to your employment contract can be complex, but understanding your rights is crucial. Remember, your agreement is usually necessary for changes to be legally valid. If faced with unilateral changes, you have several avenues to address the issue, from negotiation to legal recourse.