Redundancy

[djones]

I need to make redundancies and want to pay statutory redundancy pay for employees with 5 years service. I bought the buisness a year ago and nobody to my knowledge has a contract other than the statutory contract. I heard a whisper that some employees have a contract going back 5 years with certain conditions, i.e. 3 months pay, 1 weeks pay per year at current salary rate etc. I don't have copies of these contracts, would they still be valid? I would have no way of knowing if they had been fabricated now or legitimately 5 years ago. What should i do?

Many thanks.

[twiglet4frog]

not entirely sure but i think that any contracts are null and void on sale and handover of a business, i think sticking to your standard contracts is the best bet and consult a solicitor over where u stand.

[josieann]

contact acas they are there to advice employers and employees they will know the legalities and will be able to advice you

[DebTowe]

If you bought the business and took over the employment of the staff, then this is most likely to be a transfer of undertakings (TUPE).  If so, then I'm afraid that the staff will retain any terms and conditions they were previously employed under.  You urgently need to obtain copies of any contracts that staff may have.