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Common Law and Statutory Flavored Employment Contracts in the Downstream Oil and Gas Firms in South-South, Nigeria

Worlu, Charles Chimerumeze Worlu Hachikaru Michael

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between common law and employment contracts with statutory flavour in downstream oil and gas firms in South-South Nigeria. The main objective was to determine the extent to which common law influences the formation, performance, and termination of employment contracts with statutory flavour in the sector. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design. A structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data from the entire population of twenty registered and functional downstream oil and gas firms in South- South Nigeria. Since the population was small, a census method was applied, making the sample size equal to the population. The final analysis was based on responses from fifty-seven participants. Spearman’s rank order correlation coefficient was used to test the relationship between the variables, while partial correlation analysis was conducted with the aid of SPSS. The findings revealed that common law has a strong positive and significant relationship with the formation, performance, and termination of employment contracts with statutory flavour. The study concludes that the application of common law principles alongside statutory requirements has brought greater clarity, order, and stability to employment relationships in the downstream oil and gas sector by clearly defining the duties and obligations of parties and reducing disputes arising from contract formation, performance, and termination. Based on the findings, the study recommends that directors, executives, and human resource managers in these firms should ensure deliberate integration of common law doctrines with relevant statutory provisions when drafting, implementing, and terminating employment contracts. This combined approach can help minimise conflicts, strengthen industrial harmony, and promote long-term stability in the sector.

Keywords

Common LawStatutory Flavoured Employment ContractsFormationPerformanceTermination of Employment Contracts

References

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