Employment contract

About this document

This contract of employment is for a management-level employee who does not hold a company directorship.

The differences between this contract and our standard one are relatively small. Although the duties and responsibilities of a senior staff member are likely to require more experience, there are few legal or contractual matters that aren't also likely to apply to the more junior employees that he or she manages.

For example, all our contracts consider that an employee at any level may have access to sensitive and valuable information. They are therefore all strong on the protection of confidential information and the prevention of him or her from starting a competing business.

This agreement differs primarily from:

• including benefits likely to be given at a senior level: including company car and health insurance

• removal of a paragraph relating to collective agreements: senior staff are unlikely to be members of labour unions

• removal of a trial period (sometimes called a probation period): in law, having a trial period does not change the rights of either the employee or the employer during or after the trial - the benefits of inclusion are motivation during the first months and fostering of goodwill if the employment doesn't work as expected.

The document provides a framework for fair and full protection of the employer and legal compliance with organisational requirements. Use of plain English makes editing easy and allows it to be understood by all parties.

It can be used by any organisation, and is not industry specific. The exact duties of the employee can be specified in as much or as little detail as required.

Recent changes to the law that affect this contract

This agreement is regularly reviewed as changes in employment law are frequent. It takes into account that:

• the rights of all employees are now the same regardless of whether they work full-time or part-time

• it is unlawful to specify a default retirement age

Additionally, disciplinary procedures now follow procedures recommended by ACAS.

Contents

The contract includes the following paragraphs:

• Start and continuity
• 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
• Health insurance
• Company car
• Other business and employment
• No competition
• Confidentiality
• Intellectual property
• Staff handbook and company policies
• Bribery and other corrupt behaviour
• Garden leave
• Disciplinary and grievance procedures: in line with ACAS recommendations
• Termination
• Procedure after termination
• Summary termination
• Reconstruction or amalgamation
• Data protection
• Severance and invalidity