Employment Contract Template
Free employment contract template for UK employers. Comprehensive contract of employment covering all legal requirements.
Use this template to create a comprehensive employment contract.
Template
CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT
Between:
[Company Name] (the "Employer") [Registered Address] Company Number: [Number]
And:
[Employee Name] (the "Employee") [Address]
1. Commencement of Employment
1.1 Your employment with the Employer commenced on [date].
1.2 Your continuous employment began on [date]. [If different from above, e.g., TUPE transfer]
1.3 No employment with a previous employer counts towards your period of continuous employment.
2. Job Title and Duties
2.1 You are employed as [Job Title].
2.2 You will report to [Manager's Job Title].
2.3 Your main duties are set out in the attached job description. The Employer may reasonably vary your duties from time to time.
2.4 You will devote your full working time and attention to the Employer's business and will not undertake any other employment or business activity without prior written consent.
3. Place of Work
3.1 Your normal place of work is [Address].
3.2 [If applicable: You will be required to work at other locations as reasonably required by the Employer.]
3.3 [If applicable: You may work from home [X] days per week, subject to business needs and the Employer's home working policy.]
4. Remuneration
4.1 Your salary is £[Amount] per annum, payable monthly in arrears on or around the [X]th of each month by bank transfer.
4.2 Your salary will be reviewed annually in [Month]. There is no obligation to increase your salary following any review.
4.3 [If applicable: You may be eligible for a discretionary bonus, details of which are set out in the bonus scheme document.]
5. Working Hours
5.1 Your normal working hours are [X] hours per week, [days and times].
5.2 You may be required to work additional hours as reasonably necessary for the proper performance of your duties. [State if overtime is paid or unpaid.]
5.3 [If applicable: The Employer operates a flexible working policy, details of which are available from HR.]
6. Holiday
6.1 You are entitled to [X] days' paid holiday per year, plus public holidays. [Or: inclusive of public holidays]
6.2 The holiday year runs from [date] to [date].
6.3 Holiday must be approved in advance by your manager. The Employer may require you to take holiday at specified times.
6.4 Holiday entitlement accrues throughout the year. On termination, you will receive payment for accrued but untaken holiday, or may be required to repay holiday taken in excess of accrued entitlement.
6.5 Up to [X] days of unused holiday may be carried forward to the following year, subject to manager approval.
7. Sickness Absence
7.1 If you are unable to work due to illness, you must notify your manager by [time] on the first day of absence.
7.2 For absences of seven calendar days or fewer, you must complete a self-certification form on your return to work.
7.3 For absences exceeding seven calendar days, you must provide a fit note from your doctor.
7.4 You are entitled to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) in accordance with current legislation. [If applicable: The Employer also operates a company sick pay scheme, details of which are available from HR.]
8. Pension
8.1 The Employer operates a workplace pension scheme in accordance with auto-enrolment legislation. You will be auto-enrolled if you meet the eligibility criteria.
8.2 The Employer will contribute [X]% of qualifying earnings and you will contribute [X]%.
8.3 Details of the pension scheme are available from [Provider/HR].
9. Notice Periods
9.1 After any probationary period, either party may terminate this contract by giving the following notice in writing:
| Length of Service | Notice Required |
|---|---|
| Less than 2 years | [X] weeks |
| 2-12 years | 1 week per year of service |
| 12+ years | 12 weeks |
9.2 The Employer reserves the right to make a payment in lieu of notice.
9.3 The Employer may place you on garden leave during any notice period.
10. Probationary Period
10.1 Your employment is subject to a probationary period of [X] months.
10.2 During the probationary period, either party may terminate employment by giving [X] weeks' notice.
10.3 The Employer may extend the probationary period if considered necessary.
11. Confidentiality
11.1 You must not, during or after your employment, disclose to any person or use for your own purposes any confidential information relating to the Employer's business, customers, suppliers, or employees.
11.2 Confidential information includes [examples relevant to business].
11.3 This clause does not prevent protected disclosures under whistleblowing legislation.
12. Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures
12.1 The Employer's disciplinary and grievance procedures are set out in the Employee Handbook. These procedures do not form part of your contract of employment.
12.2 If you have a grievance relating to your employment, you should raise it with [your manager/HR] in the first instance.
13. Data Protection
13.1 The Employer will process your personal data in accordance with its Privacy Notice, a copy of which is available from HR.
14. General
14.1 This contract, together with the Employee Handbook, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties.
14.2 This contract is governed by the laws of England and Wales.
Signed for and on behalf of the Employer:
Name: _________________________ Date: _____________
Position: _________________________
Signed by the Employee:
I confirm that I have read, understood, and agree to the terms of this contract.
Name: _________________________ Date: _____________
Optional Clauses
Restrictive Covenants
For senior or client-facing roles, consider adding non-compete, non-solicitation, and non-dealing clauses. These should be proportionate and carefully drafted.
Intellectual Property
Include IP assignment clauses for roles involving creation of work or inventions.
Training Agreements
If providing expensive training, consider including a repayment clause if the employee leaves within a specified period.
Legal Notes
| Issue | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Day one statement | Must provide key terms on first day |
| Minimum wage | Salary must meet NMW/NLW |
| Working time | Maximum 48-hour week unless opt-out |
| Equal pay | Same pay for same work |
| Restrictive covenants | Must be reasonable to be enforceable |
Frequently Asked Questions
- What must be included in an employment contract?
- By law, you must provide a written statement of employment particulars on day one, including: job title, start date, pay, working hours, holiday, sick pay, pension, notice periods, and grievance/disciplinary procedures. Additional terms like confidentiality and restrictive covenants are optional but recommended.
- When must the employment contract be provided?
- The principal statement (key terms) must be provided on or before the first day of employment. Additional particulars can follow within two months. However, best practice is to provide the full contract before the start date.
- Can I use the same contract template for all employees?
- You can have a standard template, but each contract should be customised for the individual role, salary, hours, and any specific terms. Different roles may need different clauses (e.g., senior staff may need stronger restrictive covenants).