Contract of Employment and Staff Handbook Software
Bright Contracts is a software package that has everything you need to create and manage a professional staff handbook and contracts of employment. Getting these in place has traditionally been an expensive, complicated and time-consuming process. Bright Contracts makes it quick and easy.
Without employee contracts in place, an employer is risking large settlements in the case of staff disputes, and fines in the case of regulatory inspections. Having contracts also clearly defines the contractual relationship between you and your employees. Bright Contracts is the easiest way to get sorted.
| Single employer, unlimited employees | €249 |
|---|---|
| Multiple employers, unlimited employees | €349 |
| Phone/email support | Free |
Price is per user and subject to VAT. Price covers 12 months full use from date of activation.
Let us show you around the software’s functionality and how to create and customise your personal contracts of employment and company handbook.
To book an online demo click here
Under the Employment Act 2019, it is now a criminal offence for employers not to have contracts of employment in place for their staff. Watch our 2 minute video to find out how Bright Contracts can help.
Our regular employment law webinars will keep you up to date with the topical HR issues that our employers face day to day.
To view our upcoming webinars click here
To view our webinars on demand click here
Bright Contracts is teeming with useful functionality, from the obvious to the obscure. Yet it delivers it all in a neat, easy to use package. You'll wonder how you ever managed without it.
Bright Contracts does not set a limit on the number of employees you can add. And there are no confusing price brackets that depend on the number of employees you have.
Use the suggested content or customise it to your needs. Add pre-defined sections or add your own proprietary sections. Re-arrange as required.
Create a contract for each employee and record when they are signed. Archive old contracts. Base one contract on another for rapid creation.
With full control over cover pages, logos, headers, footers, fonts, colours, and more, you can ensure your documents match your corporate identity, or just simply make them look how you want.
Before you print a handbook or contract, you can see an accurate on-screen preview of how it will look on page. Scroll, zoom and pan controls make it simple and flexible.
An employee is flagged red if he or she does not have a handbook or contract. An employee is flagged amber if he or she has an out of date handbook or soon to expire contract.
The summary screen gives you an overview of handbooks in use, recent handbook updates, who does and doesn't have a handbook, and who does and doesn't have a current signed contract.
Not everyone is an employment law expert. If you're not sure what to enter for a certain field, or you're not 100% sure what something means, click the handy tip icon for an inline explanation.
Employment law legislation changes over time. When it does, and the Bright Contracts handbook or contract template changes, you'll be made aware of the adjustment, which you can accept with a single click.
Expand the services you offer or add a new revenue stream to your business wih the Bureau version of Bright Contracts, which allows you to create handbooks and contracts for unlimited employers and employees.
Bright Contracts partners with professional bodies and groups to create bespoke contracts and handbooks. Industry customisation is an excellent value added member offering for any professional group.
A Dental Technician was awarded over €13,000 after her claims, of not being provided with written employment terms, Unfair Dismissal, and lack of notice pay, were upheld.
The negative consequences of not providing appropriate employment documents were highlighted in this recent Workplace Relations Commission case (ADJ-00034847).
Background
The complainant, Sarah O’Connor, worked as a Dental Technician for the respondent, Cas Dental.
O’Connor alleged that she had not received a written statement of her terms of employment, or a disciplinary procedure, or an employee handbook.
The complainant also explained that she did not receive a letter inviting her to the dismissal meeting. The dismissal meeting lasted about a minute. She was not given notice pay or the right to appeal.
Defence
Mr Colum Sower, a director of the respondent, explained that he thought he had a period of one year to issue an employment contract and this was his understanding based on advice he had received from the Small Business Association.
Mr Sower gave evidence that he issued the complainant with verbal warnings and a written warning before the dismissal, although there was no final written warning or formal improvement plan.
A notice payment was not made, but the complainant was given a payment for good will.
The respondent accepted the procedure used was not perfect but argued that the complainant had not met the required performance standards and there are serious consequences of not meeting standards in the medical profession.
WRC Decision
The WRC Adjudicator found that the claim of not being issued with written terms of employment was well founded. The respondent was ordered to pay compensation of four weeks’ remuneration to the complainant.
The claim of lack of notice pay was also upheld and the WRC Adjudicator ordered the respondent to pay one week’s remuneration to the complainant.
The WRC Adjudicator concluded that the Unfair Dismissal claim was well founded.
There were breaches of the Code of Practice on Grievance and Disciplinary Procedures, including no opportunity for representation at the dismissal meeting, and serious procedural flaws. The Adjudicator concluded that no reasonable employer would have dismissed the complainant in the circumstances and in this manner. The respondent was ordered to pay €12,000 compensation to the complainant.
Takeaways for Employers
It is essential to comply with the legal requirement to provide employees with written terms and conditions of employment within the required time limits. The excuse of receiving incorrect advice was not accepted by the WRC Adjudicator.
Bright Contracts clients can quickly and easily create legally compliant terms and conditions of employment using the step-by-step instructions in our software.
It is also important to understand legal obligations relating to notice pay.
Bright Contracts includes a legally compliant template contract clause about notice.
Finally, failure to follow reasonable procedures can result in serious consequences. In the O’Connor v Cas Dental Case, the respondent suffered reputational damage and was ordered to pay significant amounts of compensation.
Bright Contracts has a ready to go Employee Handbook which clients can tailor to their requirements. Policies and procedures are reviewed and updated in line with employment law changes and recommended practices.
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