Get it in writing!

It is important when you are offered  a job to make sure you get the terms  and conditions in writing. This way there is less likely to be a problem because of a misunderstanding about what the conditions of your employment actually are.

 
YOUR employer has a legal obligation to  provide you with a written statement of your terms and conditions of employment within two months of your starting work. A formal contract of employment is not a legal  requirement but is strongly recommended, providing safeguards to both employer and employee, together with clarity of the rights and responsibilities of each. More information about this is available at www.bva.co.uk/contracts 

What should I do before I sign a contract of employment?

Before signing any contract of employment, you should check that the terms and conditions tally with what you were told at the  interview, are fair and reasonable and that you are willing to abide by them. 

At its most basic, the contract of employment  comes within the category of a contract at common law. The ‘rules’ applicable for a contract of employment to apply are as follows: 

• There must be an offer of employment and an acceptance; 
• There must be a consideration (that is, payment for services rendered); 
• The parties must intend to create a legal  relationship; 
• The parties must have the legal capacity to enter into the contract;  n The work to be performed must not be illegal.
  

The common-law contract may be qualified or altered by statute. For example, certain disciplinary procedures are set out in law and  these take precedence over whatever your contract may state. 

if you are unsure, seek some independent  advice on the contract either from a solicitor, the Citizens advice Bureau or the BVa legal advice line (01206 731970). This article is based on advice given in the ‘BVA new graduate guide’, a handbook provided to final-year students and  graduates up to eight years’ qualified on  joining the BVA. For more information visit www.bva.co.uk/youngvetnetwork

This article is based on advice given in the ‘BVA new graduate guide’, a handbook provided to final-year students and graduates up to eight years’ qualified on joining the BVA. For more information visit www.bva.co.uk/youngvetnetwork