Working for a very small company

[Paaaam]

After many months of job hunting I've finally been offered a new job, which I'm thrilled about. It's a 20% pay increase which is more than I could have hoped for.

I'd be going from a very large organisation to a tiny one (less than 20 people) which I'm fine with, but I've just received the 'contract' (letter) from the director of the company which has raised a few alarm bells. I've never worked for such a small company so not sure how normal this is, but there was no mention of sick leave, maternity leave, notice period or pension in the contract (I have asked for these). They haven't asked for my passport/proof of identity either. Is this normal?

Alarm bells would be ringing for me - you absolutely have to check this stuff before signing a contract. I worked for a small company for some years and often they'd put off doing proper things as they didn't have the time/ couldn't be bothered to look up the guidance on it. They have to know they are being held accountable as an employer though.

Thanks for replying. I was quite surprised as they seem very professional otherwise and it's a highly paid role.

Any other experiences of working for a very small company welcome!

There's no legal entitlement to company sick pay outside of statutory sick pay. There is legal entitlement to maternity pay and leave, minimum notice and pension contributions. It is quite usual for smaller businesses not to pay any more than statutory requirements.

It's up to you to assess whether any other benefits compensate for that. For example, in one SME I worked for I was offered an optional but very generous salary sacrifice pension scheme with matched contributions, share options, and rapid promotions to board level which really did enhance my career and future earning capability. I also received very significant and frequent pay rises.

I work for a small company -6 employees. I have no contract and have been on maternity leave 3 times and got the legal minimum and I get paid for being off sick .

Yes it will just be the legal minimums for all there

Passport I'd bring on first day,no need to check before you start (bar more hassle if you don't have right to work but that's unlikely if you have strong uk work history)

In 2020 just before Covid a small business owner (office of 3) did ask me for ID before starting. Issued a contract on day of starting.

2022 May - Another small business (office of 5) didn't ask for ID at all throughout employment. I got dark ages contract 4 weeks later and they seemed shocked when I said here is my latest P45 please use a fortnight in when they sought my bank details! even then and after I left I did not get asked for ID. (I imagine they thought the Covid previous relax covered them?) all I could put it down to, I would probably still help now if they said ID needed, under our oversight. Admittedly in this company the person doing payroll admitted it was there first-time doing payroll.

Both small businesses hocked me up to Nest the gov pension scheme without all this waiting 3 months. Whereas other bigger businesses have said you do have to wait the obligatory first three months.

www.gov.uk/employment-contracts-and-conditions/contract-terms

The implied terms part is relevant here.

Things like notice period just follow statutory minimums if nothing else is agreed.

It's not a requirement to have an extensive written contract. Mine was just a two page letter when I worked for a small employer.

DH and I run a small business. We will pay sick pay at our discretion but mainly it's statutory, same with maternity pay. We sign our employees up for Nest after 3 months. Never asked anyone for ID............... just taken them on trust.

We did however outsource our contracts to a HR specialist to make sure our contracts and t's & c's were up to date.

Thank you everyone, very helpful