Employment and Services Contracts

The document downloads below contain a specimen contract of employment, with accompanying documentation and notes, and a specimen contract for services, which may be used for self-employed locums. Also included are notes which provide an overview of the two contracts.

The specimen contract of employment sets out terms generally included in contracts of employment. It highlights those terms which must be included in a written statement of the main terms and conditions of employment and which must be given to all employees within eight weeks of starting work. It also sets out additional terms specific to the employment professional staff (optometrists, dispensing opticians or omps) and pre-registration trainees. A sample disciplinary and grievance policy is available below to download as is a letter in respect of the Working Time Regulations 1998.

The documents have been updated where necessary over time. Most recently, in December 2011, two additional clauses, 28 and 29, were added to the contract of employment. Under clause 28 the employee agrees to fulfil the employee’s obligations in respect of GOS patients. Under clause 29 the employee agrees to maintain medical malpractice insurance upon leaving the employment.

The specimen contract for services includes terms appropriate to locum optometrists who work as self-employed optometrists or dispensing opticians, hiring their services to another. This contract was updated in August 2010 but at the time of writing (December 2011) is being reviewed.

If you have any queries regarding these contracts, please contact Steven King in our legal department, who will be able to help you stevenking@aop.org.uk.

Agency Workers Regulations

New Agency Workers Regulations came into force on 1 October 2011 entitling agency workers to the same basic employment and working conditions as if they had been recruited directly. An overview of the new regulations is on the Directgov website www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_199272. A more detailed overview will be found in the .pdf document download below which was issued by the Optical Confederation. Members should seek legal advice before acting in relation to agency workers' rights.