WATCH NOW: Contracts and Handbooks Made Simple | Bira Legal & WorkNest Webinar

NOW AVAILABLE: Bira Legal and WorkNest's exclusive webinar on contracts and handbooks. Access the recording from the link below.

Bira Legal and WorkNest's informative webinar on contracts and handbooks is now available to watch on demand.

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When employment issues arise, robust contracts and carefully crafted employee handbooks are employers’ first line of defence. Despite this, many small retail businesses still don’t have the necessary documents in place, or are relying on documents that are poorly drafted or out of date. This can be a costly mistake to make.

As a small retailer, you may think you can get away with not having formalised employment contracts or an employee handbook. After all, everyone gets along and any disagreements can be ironed out easily, right? 

The reality is that when it comes to your workforce, it’s impossible to predict what might occur. When disputes inevitably arise, these documents become invaluable – protecting your position and enabling you to demonstrate that you followed standard policies and treated everyone equally. This is even more crucial as your business grows. 

And it’s not just good practice – it’s also a legal obligation. By law, workers and employees have the right to a written contract or a statement outlining key job details. As of April 2020, employers must provide this basic information in writing on or before the employee/worker’s first day of work. 

With significant changes to employment law recently and more reforms on the horizon, now is the time to get your contracts and handbooks in order to ensure your business remains compliant and able to manage issues confidently.