The terms and conditions of employment are the elements of a contract defining the employment relationship between the employer and employee. 

Discover our resources regarding the legislation governing the terms and conditions of employment. This includes the types of employment contract, the written statement of particulars and notice periods.

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Factsheets

Regularly-updated factsheets provide overviews and information on a topic

Two Factsheets about Terms and conditions of employment
Factsheet
Zero-hours contracts
Understand the advantages and disadvantages of zero-hours contracts, recent UK legislative changes, and good practices to follow
For Members
Factsheet
Contracts of employment
Introductory guidance to the ‘contract of service’, the written statement of particulars, and varying the contractual terms
For Members

Employment law

Practical resources to help you address employment law issues at work, and keep up with recent and pending legislation.

One Employment law about Terms and conditions of employment
Employment law
Terms and conditions of employment: UK employment law
Explore our collection of resources covering terms and conditions of employment, including Q&As and relevant case law
For Members

Guides

Designed for practitioners, our guides provide recommendations and advice on how to apply good practice in the workplace.

One Guide about Terms and conditions of employment
Guide
Sabbaticals: Guide for people professionals
This guide provides advice for employers on offering a period of sabbatical leave

Reports

Research and analysis by experts from CIPD and partner organisations

Three Reports about Terms and conditions of employment
Report
The gig economy: What does it really look like?
A policy report providing latest insights on the scale and nature of the UK’s gig economy
Report
Zero-hours contracts: evolution and current status
An evaluation of the use and impact of zero-hours contracts
Report
Working Lives Northern Ireland
Dedicated analysis of job quality and its impact on working lives in Northern Ireland

Thought leadership

Insight and foresight from our experts in people and the world of work

13 Thought leadership about Terms and conditions of employment
Thought leadership
Briefing | How is the Employment Rights Bill progressing?
The CIPD continues to engage with the UK Government as its landmark Employment Rights Bill goes through committee stage in the House of Lords
Thought leadership
Briefing | NI 'Good Jobs' Employment Rights Bill: Way forward outlined
We examine the provisions of the Northern Ireland 'Good Jobs' Employment Rights Bill and explain the similarities and key differences to those in the Employment Rights Bill which will apply elsewhere in the UK
Thought leadership
Analysis | The Employment Rights Bill’s unintended consequences
Ben Willmott highlights the potential impact of the UK Employment Rights Bill and the need for further consultation and refinement
Thought leadership
Briefing | UK Employment Rights Bill: Amended but not complete
Rachel Suff outlines the key developments noted in the UK Government’s recent amendments and considers the implications for organisations and the role of the people profession in delivering on these changes
Thought leadership
Briefing | What are the options for employment status reform?
CIPD research shows widespread use of ‘worker’ status by employers, highlighting the need for careful consultation over reform
Thought leadership
Analysis | How proposed reforms can manage the pros and cons of zero-hours contracts
Recent data on employees' contrasting views on these contracts gives insight into how best to approach reforms.
Thought leadership
Briefing | Proposed employment law changes in Northern Ireland
The Good Jobs Employment Rights Bill seeks to give new protections for those living and working in Northern Ireland
Thought leadership
New statutory code not enough to prevent future P&O Ferries-type sackings
Ben Willmott talks about why UK Government plans for a new code of practice to ensure employers consult with workers when changing employment conditions will fail to stop unfair treatment, as press reports suggest the long-awaited Employment Bill is to be further delayed
Thought leadership
Has work become less secure?
Examining the evidence on employment security
Thought leadership
One election down, one to go- what does it mean for CIPD members?
Marek Zemanik discusses the public policy decisions being made in Scotland and Northern Ireland and how people professionals can get involved to help shape the future world of work
Thought leadership
Now is the time to extend statutory bereavement leave and pay
Claire McCartney and Lucy Herd, Jack's mother and prominent campaigner for Jack's Law, discuss the importance of extending statutory bereavement leave and pay for employees experiencing the loss of a close family member and ask what employers can do to best support them
Thought leadership
Protecting jobs and incomes during the COVID-19 crisis
Ben Willmott examines the UK Government’s schemes to support workers through the coronavirus pandemic, specifically looking at wage subsidies and the self-employed
Thought leadership
Coming soon eventually: Labour’s 32-hour week
At the Labour Party conference, John McDonnell grabbed headlines by announcing his commitment to reduce the working week to 32 hours – without a loss of pay. Mark Beatson takes us through the proposal and what the policy would mean in practice

Bitesize research

Your regular overview of current research, inspiring insights and cutting-edge ideas in bitesize

Two Bitesize research about Terms and conditions of employment
Bitesize research
Unpredictable working hours
Looking beyond zero-hours contracts
Bitesize research
A fair deal for agency temps?
This article maps key developments in agency work, from the perspectives of both regulation, client-supplier relationships, people management and performance
For Members

Policy engagements

Our calls for action.

Two Policy engagements about Terms and conditions of employment
Policy engagement
CIPD consultation response: Zero-hours contracts for agency workers
Our response to the Department for Business and Trade’s consultation on the application of zero hours contracts measures to agency workers. 
Policy engagement
Calculating fairer holiday entitlement for flexible workers in the UK
Read our recommendations to the UK’s Department for Business and Trade

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