About this employment contract
This employment contract covers all legal requirements for information to be given to an employee. It is a carefully considered framework for fair and full protection of the employer and compliance with organisational requirements. Use of plain English makes editing easy and allows it to be understood by all parties.
The size or business of the employer organisation is not important, nor is the position of the employee (this contract can be used for management too, but Net Lawman does provide employment contracts written specifically for senior staff.)
Details such as duties and training provision, can be added easily if required, either within the existing text, or by reference to a job description. In this "information age", all Net Lawman employment contracts are very strong on protection of the employer's secrets and confidential information.
Note: in law part time or casual employees or trainees have exactly the same rights as full timers. This employment contract is flexible to cover your precise requirements. Provided there are no changes to the law, you can reuse this document for all types of employees.
Recent changes in employment law affecting this contract
Employment law changes often, necessitating regular updates to our documents. This one was last updated in April 2012.
Account has been taken in this agreement of:
- All employees have the same employment rights regardless of whether they are full-time, part-time, casual or temporary
- Removal of a retirement age clause
- Government recommendations that companies follow disciplinary procedures recommended by ACAS
When to use this employment contract
- for any new employee
- to replace your existing contracts which may be out of date
- for any level of employee, though most appropriate to junior and mid-level staff
- the employee may be permanently employed (full or part-time) or temporary
- for organisations of any type: companies, charities, trusts, partnerships, governmental organisations and others
Employment contract features and contents
- Up-to-date and complies with current law
- Follows current best practice recommendations by ACAS and other bodies
- All standard terms for a principal statement
- Strong on protection of employer's confidential information
- Specifics for different jobs, such as duties and training requirements, can be added easily - either within the text, or by reference to a job description
- Structured so as to minimise the administrative burden of legal compliance
The contract of employment includes the following paragraphs:
- Start and continuity
- Trial period (also called a probation period)
- Job title and description
- Place of work
- Work outside the UK
- Hours of work
- Salary
- Expenses
- Leave for holidays and other reasons
- Sickness and sick pay
- Pension
- Other business and employment
- No competition
- Confidentiality
- Intellectual property
- Collective agreements
- Staff handbook and company policies
- Bribery and other corrupt behaviour
- Disciplinary and grievance procedures: in line with ACAS recommendations
- Termination
- Procedure after termination
- Summary termination
- Reconstruction or amalgamation
- Data protection
- Severance and invalidity
Practicalities this employment contract covers
A contract, written or verbal is made as soon as the employee accepts a job offer. So as to minimise future misunderstandings, we recommend providing a written employment contract with the offer letter, so that the employee can return an acceptance letter with a signed copy of the contract.
By law, all employees must be given a “written statement of employment particulars” within two months of starting work. This is a document that sets out the terms of employment that the employer must disclose, known as a “principal statement”. This employment contract includes all the necessary information to act as a principal statement so that you don’t need to provide this information separately in a letter or another document.
Other employment policies and procedures not within the principal statement (such as data protection) could be included in the contract. However, especially when you have many employees, changing each employee’s contract of employment (and ensuring consistency between employees) every time a new law changes can be time consuming and difficult. It is usual, therefore, to place all procedures and policies common to all staff in an employee handbook and refer to the handbook in the employment contract. This is the approach Net Lawman recommends.
Reasons to buy from Net Lawman
Full money back guarantee – buy with confidence
This contract of employment comes with a no questions asked full money back guarantee. You take no risk that it might not be right. Once you buy it, we’ll give you 30 days to evaluate it in any way you want. If for any reason you’re not happy, just e-mail us and we’ll refund your money in full immediately.
Guidance notes included - prior legal knowledge is not required
Comprehensive guidance notes, written by the author of the document, are included. These notes ensure that you don’t need to be a lawyer or have knowledge of the law to understand which paragraphs you should edit to complete the contract.
Minimal editing required
This contract of employment has been written specifically in such a way that you don’t need to spend hours editing it. It uses an approach where you remove the sections that aren’t applicable to you, so you don’t have to add any back, write your own, or worry about whether you are using correct legal language.
Paragraphs have been written to stand alone from each other. Removing one that isn’t applicable to your circumstances doesn’t affect the standing of any other in the employment contract.
Plain language minimises future disagreements
Your contract is real law written in plain language that all parties will understand. This will minimise the likelihood of later disputes.
If a dispute does arise and you find yourself in court, the judge will look more favourably on a legal agreement written in plain language over one peppered with complicated legal jargon. Your case will be stronger if it is clear that both sides understood the agreement when it was signed.
Buy once – re-use again and again
You can reuse this document as many times as you like for new employees that you take on.
Delivered straight to your inbox
As soon as you complete the secure checkout process, we will send your employment contract template straight to your inbox. We will also keep a copy for you for 60 days in our customer area so you can access it even when you are away from your e-mail.
Still unsure whether this is the right document for you?
If you are unsure whether this contract of employment is suitable for your particular circumstances, then you have two options. The first is to buy now, evaluate the document, and use the 30 day, full money back guarantee to obtain a refund if it isn’t suitable. You take no risk in seeing the contract. The second option is to contact us using the link below and ask. We can’t offer you legal advice on your situation, but we can help you find the document you want. We aim to respond to your question within 24 hours. |
