If you make an offer of employment and it is accepted, then there is a contract of employment. It does not have to be in writing, but make sure it is. This is the only way to evidence the terms of the contract. Never allow it to be your word against theirs.

When you write to offer employment, either document the terms or make an offer in outline and explain that the full terms will be sorted out later.

You must provide a written statement of employment within two months, but the right time to do it is right at the start. The statement must deal with
· Job title and description
· Pay - You can't opt out of national minimum wage for the relevant age
· Hours of work -There are rules for working time and rest periods
· Holidays -After 13wks, min. 4wks paid holidays (incl. Pub. Hols) p.a.
· Place of work

Make sure that you reserve the right to change the job title and description, and the place of work. Specify the grounds for which employees can be dismissed - e.g gross misconduct, absence from work, or being convicted of a criminal offence.

You cannot change the terms of the contract without the agreement of the employee, and so the right time to establish the terms (in your favour) is at the outset. If you are in doubt, take advice from a lawyer or specialist employment consultant.

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