The Blog

A modern trend in the law of contract variation has generated some excitement in the employment law world about whether companies may now be able to change employment contracts without providing fresh consideration (or a new benefit) to employees. That would make life easier for HR professionals. But a recent appellate decision will dampen some of that enthusiasm.

Workplaces are dynamic and workplace policies must evolve. However, effectively amending a workplace policy so that it is enforceable in court is not as straightforward as one might think. Changes to company policies can affect employee rights, benefits, or entitlements. For those changes to become enforceable elements of employment contracts, employers may have to provide their employees with consideration.