Employment contract.

[Aubergine]

I work for a large private company contracted by the NHS. I have worked there for a couple of years now, but have never been given a contract or a statement of employment of any kind. Does anyone know if I am entitled to one? How would I go about getting one? It seems strange that such a large company would not have given me something in writing. I've considered asking before, but don't want to make a fuss. As it stands, with nothing written on paper, what are my employment rights? I'm concerned that if there were any changes with anything, I would not be protected. Any advice welcome. :)

[The One Who]

You are entitled to a written statement of terms and conditions after two months of working for an employer. To get one simply put in a request (preferably in writing) to your manager/HR department and they should get one sent out to you.

May seem like a silly question, but do you get pay slips, and is your tax and NI paid via PAYE? If so, you would be considered an "employee" and therefore get all relevant employment rights.

Even if you have nothing in writing you DO still have some sort of contract, even if verbal. For example, can you prove how long you have worked there, via pay slips, etc?

If you ask for a contract you should be given one, but if you disagree with anything in it you won't really be able to challenge it, as you've been working there for so long under those conditions.

[Aubergine]

Thank you. That's really helpful.

I do get pay slips. I am paid monthly and have a pay slip from every month since I started. I do not pay tax or NI because I don't earn enough (I only work 16 hours). Does that complicate things?

I don't disagree with my working conditions at all. I was just worried that I didn't have rights to things due to my lack of written particulars.

[The One Who]

No, that won't effect your working conditions. It's really just one of the easier ways to define your employment status, so you would be an employee, rather than a worker, or self-employed.

Generally, employment rights come down to to your status and how long you have worked there, and as you have worked (continuously?) for more than two years you are protected from things like unfair dismissal.

You should ask for a copy of your written statement of terms, and your employee handbook (if there is is one), as they will both make up your contract terms.