Contracts of Employment

A contract of employment is a legally-binding agreement between an employer and an employee or worker.  All employees have the right to a written document setting out the main terms of their employment. This is often referred to as ‘written statement of employment particulars.’

Since April 2020 the written statement of particulars must include the following information:

• the name of the employee/worker and the employer;
• the dates on which the employment or engagement began and if different, the date of continuous employment;
• information in relation to any proposed probation period;
• the notice period required by the employee/worker;
• details in relation to remuneration and payment terms; and
• confirmation of hours and days of work (and how they vary if they are variable);
• details in relation to holidays; 
• details of any training the employee/worker will be required to undertake; and
• details of any other benefits offered to the employee/worker.

Employers may also wish to include other clauses, such as restrictive covenants, intellectual property clauses and health and safety provisions. 

It is important to ensure that the employment contract is clear and concise and that there is no ambiguity.  Additionally, since April 2020, the information which employers are required to include in the employment contract has substantially been increased and to ensure that all legally required areas are covered, we would always advise that an employment contract is drafted or reviewed by an employment lawyer before signature.