In February 2026, the Labour Court ruled that an employer’s decision to unilaterally abolish the contractual payment of a 13th cheque to its employee amounted to a breach of contract. The court emphasised the trite position that contractual obligations are not optional and cannot be mischaracterised as a workplace practice to avoid obligatory fulfilment.
changing terms and conditions
Is it possible for employers to change the terms of employment contracts?
By Philipp Raben on
At first sight, the answer to this question would be: only by mutual agreement. But once you take a closer look there are many ways and situations that make it possible for an employer to unilaterally change the contractual terms.
- Collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) are binding for members of those employers’ associations (firms) and labour
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Is it possible for employers to change the terms of employment contracts in the UK?
Posted on
At common law, a contract can only be amended in accordance with its terms or with the agreement of all the parties. An employment contract is no different – an employer can only change its terms if the contract allows or if the employee agrees to the changes.
It is likely that certain terms will…