Employer delay
The term ‘employer delay’ is commonly used to describe any delay caused by an employer risk event (an event or cause of delay or disruption which under the contract is at the risk and responsibility of the Employer).
The Society of Construction Law Delay and Disruption Protocol, 2nd edition, distinguishes between:
- Employer delay to progress, which is a delay that will merely cause delay to the contractor’s progress without causing a contract completion date to be missed.
- Employer delay to completion, which is a delay that will cause a contract completion date to be missed.
The expression 'excusable delay' is sometimes used to describe an employer delay in
respect of which the contractor is entitled to an extension of time.
Ref Society of Construction Law Delay and Disruption Protocol, 2nd edition, February 2017, published by the Society of Construction Law (UK). https://www.scl.org.uk/resources/delay-disruption-protocol
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Building completion.
- Certificate of non completion.
- Completion.
- Completion date.
- Concurrent delay.
- Contract completion date.
- Contractor’s planned completion date.
- Delay.
- Delay to completion.
- Delay to progress.
- Extension of time.
- Loss and expense.
- Practical completion.
- Progress of construction works.
- Scheduling construction activities.
- Sectional completion.
- Time at large.
- Programme.
Featured articles and news
The challenge as PFI agreements come to an end
How construction deals with inherit assets built under long-term contracts.
Skills plan for engineering and building services
Comprehensive industry report highlights persistent skills challenges across the sector.
Choosing the right design team for a D&B Contract
An architect explains the nature and needs of working within this common procurement route.
Statement from the Interim Chief Construction Advisor
Thouria Istephan; Architect and inquiry panel member outlines ongoing work, priorities and next steps.
The 2025 draft NPPF in brief with indicative responses
Local verses National and suitable verses sustainable: Consultation open for just over one week.
Increased vigilance on VAT Domestic Reverse Charge
HMRC bearing down with increasing force on construction consultant says.
Call for greater recognition of professional standards
Chartered bodies representing more than 1.5 million individuals have written to the UK Government.
Cutting carbon, cost and risk in estate management
Lessons from Cardiff Met’s “Halve the Half” initiative.
Inspiring the next generation to fulfil an electrified future
Technical Manager at ECA on the importance of engagement between industry and education.
Repairing historic stone and slate roofs
The need for a code of practice and technical advice note.
Environmental compliance; a checklist for 2026
Legislative changes, policy shifts, phased rollouts, and compliance updates to be aware of.
UKCW London to tackle sector’s most pressing issues
AI and skills development, ecology and the environment, policy and planning and more.
Managing building safety risks
Across an existing residential portfolio; a client's perspective.
ECA support for Gate Safe’s Safe School Gates Campaign.
Core construction skills explained
Preparing for a career in construction.
Retrofitting for resilience with the Leicester Resilience Hub
Community-serving facilities, enhanced as support and essential services for climate-related disruptions.






















