The general rule at law is that an employee is entitled to a written statement of employment particulars within two months of commencing service, and Section 1 of the Employment Rights Act prescribes the information which must be provided in that written statement. It is the practice of many employers to provide an offer letter to new recruits, which contains the key terms of the offer of employment, followed by a contract of employment within the first few weeks of employment which covers all the terms and conditions required by Section 1.
The law will change with effect from 6th April 2020 with the Employment Rights (Employment Particulars and Paid Annual Leave) (Amendment) Regulations 2018. These will require every new employee to be issued with a statement of employment particulars from day one of their employment. This is a good time for employers to start implementing this new requirement and to adopt the practice of issuing contracts of employment before an employee commences in his or her post.