Employment Status & Consultancy Agreements

Business Services / Employment Law for Business / Employment Status and Consultancy

Not everyone who works for you is an employee, nor will it always be appropriate for them to be.

Some may be ‘workers’ or independent contractors. Each category attracts different legal rights and the correct status depends on a number of factors.

Whatever the status, putting the correct documentation in place, which is consistent with the applicable status, is crucial. Any inconsistency is likely to create difficulties and leave the status open to challenge.

Request a consultation with our expert Employment Law solicitors to ensure
you get your employment status issues right.

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Many businesses engage independent contractors, or ‘consultants’, rather than employees.
Before doing so, it is vital to ensure it would be lawful and appropriate to do so.

Our services include:

Advising you on the appropriate employment status for the people working for you;
Preparing bespoke contracts that are consistent with the applicable status, including Consultancy Agreements, Contracts of Employment and Zero Hours Contracts; and
Advising you on the implications of IR35.

Speak to our Employment Team

0161 926 9969

Our Approach

All of our highly experienced Employment Law solicitors are Legal 500 recommended leaders in their field, who provide jargon-free, commercial legal advice. We speak to you in plain English and provide specialist, practical and pro-active solutions for your business.

We take the time to understand your business and the challenges you face, enabling us to provide bespoke advice which is tailored to you.

Testimonial

“The experience has been fantastic, and head and shoulders above our experience with other professional service firms. They are responsive, professional, understanding of our business needs and patient with us as a client.”

Rob Sandbach, Managing Director, Indiespring

FAQs

What is employment status?

The employment status of a member of staff determines the rights and responsibilities between the individual and your business. The different categories depend on the daily reality of the working life of the individual.
What are the different categories of employment status?

Broadly, there are 3 different categories of employment status: employees, workers and independent contractors.
What is an employee?

An employee is someone who works for your business in the fullest sense, either full or part time, on a permanent or temporary basis. An employee usually works in a structured and regular manner. Many rights attach to employee status, such as the right to claim unfair dismissal (after 2 years of employment) and rights to holiday and sick pay.
What is a worker?

This is usually a more casual working relationship (for instance there is often no guaranteed minimum number of hours to be worked by the worker). The individual has fewer rights but is still entitled to certain things, such as to earn the National Minimum Wage and to be given paid holidays.
What is an independent contractor?

This is when your business contracts with a self-employed individual to perform particular tasks or projects. The relationship is largely governed by the consultancy contract but you must ensure that any contract accurately reflects the working relationship or it can be open to legal challenge.

Speak to us to see
how we can help

0161 926 9969

Why choose the mlplaw team?

Unparalleled Experience and Expertise

We are vastly experienced, Legal-500 recommended
legal experts who live and breathe Employment Law. We provide no-nonsense, commercial advice, achieving
successful outcomes for employers.

Your business, your service

Your business is unique, as are the challenges it faces.
That’s why our approach is always as unique as your business itself.

We don’t like one-size-fits-all strategies. We’re all about crafting tailored strategies that fit your specific needs.

Communication is key. We’re fluent in plain language and have no time for legal jargon. We believe in complete transparency and proactivity, providing you with a clear path and fixed fees so you’re never caught off guard.

We are proactive and keep your options open

Most businesses only call their lawyers when things go wrong. By then, it may be too late. We know that prevention is always better than the cure. We work with you proactively to identify vulnerabilities, mitigate risks and ensure successful outcomes before problems arise. We save you time, money and the stress that comes with handling legal issues.

Must-read Employment Law Blogs

Key Changes to Expect Following the Employment Rights Bill

11th Oct 2024

Employment Status and Consultancy

Our services include:

0161 926 9969

Our Approach

Testimonial

FAQs

Speak to us to see how we can help

0161 926 9969

Why choose the mlplaw team?

Request a consultation

Must-read Employment Law Blogs

Key Changes to Expect Following the Employment Rights Bill

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Changes to Holiday Pay

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