Myth Buster - Verbal Contracts are NOT Valid Contracts
This is a fairly common myth, but an important one. Why? Because a verbal employment contract, or one that is only ‘implied’, can be legally binding, meaning you can make a job offer without realising it.
If you make any form of promise relating to the individual’s employment, this refers to an ‘implied’ contract. If you discuss contract details with the individual, such as job duties, work hours, or pay & benefits, then this is an explicit verbal employment contract.
A binding agreement can be formed on the basis of verbal statements or via information from an employee handbook or company policy. This is because a large portion of the details in the handbook will be similar to those found in a written contract.
How to avoid an implied contract
Avoid making specific promises during the interview stage, or in the job offer letter should you choose to hire the individual. Such promises can include things like:-
“We’ll never fire you”
“You’re guaranteed to have a job here for the next 5 years”
But they can also be more subtle:
“Your pay & benefit package will be…”
“When your probationary period finishes…”
Boris Johnson’s Roadmap Announced
On 22nd February 2021, the Prime Minister announced the lockdown ‘roadmap’ that should bring England out of Lockdown. His announcement was filled with a certain amount of trepidation and caution, making it clear that there’s still quite a way to go before resuming “normal” lives.
Key Dates
8th of March: All schools reopen for all age groups. However, work-from-home guidance stays the same.
Moving towards the longest day - 21st June 2021
As the Prime Minister announced the roadmap towards relaxing the restrictions of lockdown, it felt as though there were a universal cautious sense of relief about what could, should or would happen next. Airlines reported a spike in bookings, hotel rooms begin to sell out and festival organisers website’s crashed.
Housing Secretary extends support for renters during pandemic
Renters will continue to be supported during the ongoing national lockdown restrictions, with an extension to the ban on bailiff evictions.
Renters protected with ban on bailiff enforced evictions extended until 31 March
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Exemptions in place for the most serious cases
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Part of a wider package of support for renters during the pandemic
Renters will continue to be supported during the ongoing national lockdown restrictions, with an extension to the ban on bailiff evictions, Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick announced today (14 February 2021).
The ban on bailiff evictions - which was introduced at the start of the pandemic - has been extended for another 6 weeks - until 31 March - with measures kept under review in line with the latest public health advice.
Exemptions remain in place for the most serious circumstances that cause the greatest strain on landlords as well as other residents and neighbours, such as illegal occupation, anti-social behaviour and arrears of 6 months’ rent or more.
The measures are part of a wide-ranging package of support the government has provided to protect renters from the economic impact of the pandemic, including supporting businesses to pay staff through the furlough scheme and strengthening the welfare safety-net by billions of pounds.
Landlords are also required to give 6-month notice periods to tenants before starting possession proceedings, except in the most serious circumstances, meaning that most renters now served notice can stay in their homes until at least August 2021, with time to find alternative support or accommodation.
For those renters who require additional support, there is an existing £180 million of government funding for Discretionary Housing Payments for councils to distribute to support renters with housing costs.