Do you need Employment Contracts?
Addison Partners do far more than just accounting and taxation! The firm was established in 1946 and has built up a wealth of knowledge and skills in many other areas including financial planning, superannuation advice, business advisory, estate planning and Human Resources (HR).
Our Human Resources service is headed by our HR Specialist, Debbie Innes. Debbie has worked for the firm since 2010 and now shares her skills and experience in HR & IT with business owners and employers.
Debbie recently presented a seminar to local business owners at the Fox Den in Gloucester. One of the main points Debbie raised was the importance of having a written agreement in place with your employees. Most modern awards now state that you must have a written agreement in place with your workers.
So how do you go about implementing agreements and what should the agreement say?
An employment contract is an agreement between an employer and employee that sets out the terms and conditions of employment. An employment contract should clearly set out your obligations as an employer and your expectations of your employees.
Workplace policies along with employment contracts provide your employees with a set of rules to abide by in the workplace. Employment contracts are utilised when initiating performance management processes with your employees in the event of a breach of your workplace policies.
Agreements can help to protect an Employer during an incident investigation or workplace dispute. Consider the following example. If an employee refuses to follow safety instrutions and is injured as a result, an employment contract will form part of the evidance (paper trail) referred to during the investigation. If the employee has agreed in writing to follow all safety procedures, but chooses not to, a contract can protect the employer from potential liability.
Employment contracts should at the least include the position’s title, the commencement of employment date, the basis of employment (e.g. permanent, casual or fixed term), the employee’s remuneration and how it’s made up, the notice required to end employment and your expectations of the employee.
Employment contracts should be reviewed regularly and updated when any changes to the employment conditions occur including wage increases.
Not sure where to start?
Addison Partners HR & Consulting can assist you to manage your employees from recruitment to termination including drafting employment contracts.
Our experienced HR Specialist, Debbie Innes, can review your current employment arrangements and assist you to implement practical and compliant practices to work with your employees to reach your business goals.
For more information or to book an initial consultation, please call Debbie Innes on (02) 4995 7300 or email dinnes@addisonpartners.com.au or speak to your usual Addison Partners contact.