Employment Contract

Free Employment Contract Template (UK)

Use this free template as a starting point for an employment contract in the United Kingdom. Under section 1 of the Employment Rights Act 1996, every employee is entitled to a written statement of particulars on or before the day employment begins. This template covers the mandatory particulars and the most common additional clauses. Copy and customise it to suit your business and the role.

EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT

Date: [Date of agreement]

Employer: [Full legal name], a company incorporated in [Jurisdiction] with company number [Number] and registered office at [Address] (the "Employer")

Employee: [Full name], of [Address] (the "Employee")

1. Job Title and Duties

• Job title: [Title]
• Department / team: [Team]
• Reports to: [Line manager name and title]
• Main duties: [Brief description of duties, with a note that this is not exhaustive and that duties may evolve with the role]

The Employee shall perform the duties faithfully, diligently, and to the best of their ability, and shall comply with the Employer's policies and reasonable instructions.

2. Start Date and Continuous Employment

• Start date: [Date]
• Continuous service date: [Date — usually the same as start date, unless prior employment counts]
• This is the Employee's first day of employment with the Employer; no previous employment counts towards continuous service unless stated otherwise.

3. Place of Work

• Primary place of work: [Address]
• Hybrid / remote working: [Description, e.g. "minimum 3 days in office, up to 2 days remote per week, subject to business needs"]
• The Employer may require the Employee to work at other locations within reasonable travel distance from time to time.

4. Hours of Work

• Standard hours: [Number, typically 37.5 or 40] hours per week, Monday to Friday, [start time] to [end time], with [unpaid] [1-hour] lunch break
• Overtime: [No additional overtime pay expected / Overtime as agreed in advance]
• The Employee opts in / opts out of the 48-hour weekly working limit under the Working Time Regulations 1998 (the Employer will provide a separate opt-out form where applicable)

5. Probation

• Probationary period: [3 / 6] months from the start date
• During probation, employment may be terminated by either Party giving [1 week's] notice
• The Employer will confirm completion of probation in writing on or before the end of the probation period; probation may be extended by [a further 3 months] at the Employer's discretion

6. Pay

• Annual salary: [Currency and amount] gross per annum
• Pay date: [Day of month], paid monthly in arrears by BACS to the Employee's nominated bank account
• Tax and National Insurance: deducted at source under PAYE
• Salary review: [Annually in [Month], subject to business performance and individual performance, with no contractual entitlement to a salary increase]

7. Benefits

• Pension: auto-enrolment into the Employer's qualifying workplace pension scheme, with employer contribution of [X]% of qualifying earnings
• Other benefits: [Private medical insurance / Life assurance / Cycle-to-work scheme / Other], as set out in the benefits summary
• Bonus: [Discretionary annual bonus, subject to separate bonus letter where applicable / No bonus]

8. Holiday

• Annual holiday entitlement: [28] days per leave year (inclusive of bank holidays), pro-rated for part-year employment
• Leave year: [Calendar year / Other start date]
• Maximum carryover: [5] days per year, subject to manager approval and to be used within [3] months of the new leave year
• On termination, accrued but untaken holiday is paid in lieu (or, if the Employee has taken more than accrued, the excess is deducted from final pay)

9. Sickness Absence

• The Employee shall notify their line manager by [09:00] on the first day of any sickness absence
• Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is payable in accordance with applicable law
• Company Sick Pay: [The Employer pays full pay for [X] days per rolling 12-month period, then reverts to SSP / Not provided beyond SSP]
• A self-certification form is required for absences of 1-7 days; a fit note is required for absences of 8 or more days

10. Notice Period

• During probation: [1 week] by either Party
• After probation, by either Party: [1 month] for first 4 years of service, then [1 week per complete year of service up to a maximum of 12 weeks] for the Employer; [1 month] for the Employee. Statutory minimum notice under section 86 of the Employment Rights Act 1996 applies in any event.
• The Employer may pay in lieu of notice (PILON) at its discretion
• The Employer may place the Employee on garden leave during any notice period

11. Confidentiality

The Employee shall not, during or after employment, use or disclose any confidential information of the Employer or its clients except in the proper course of employment or as required by law.

12. Intellectual Property

All intellectual property created by the Employee in the course of employment vests in the Employer. The Employee shall execute any documents reasonably required to perfect the Employer's title to such IP.

13. Post-Termination Restrictions (optional — only include if proportionate)

For [6 / 12] months after termination, the Employee shall not:

• Solicit clients of the Employer with whom the Employee had material dealings in the 12 months before termination
• Solicit or employ employees of the Employer in roles requiring similar skills
• Engage in any business that competes directly with the Employer within [the geographical area in which the Employee worked]

These restrictions apply only to the extent reasonable and necessary to protect the Employer's legitimate business interests.

14. Data Protection

The Employee acknowledges that the Employer will process personal data for employment purposes in accordance with applicable data protection law and the Employer's privacy notice for employees.

15. Grievance and Disciplinary Procedures

The Employer's grievance and disciplinary procedures are set out in the Employee Handbook. These procedures are non-contractual and may be amended by the Employer from time to time.

16. Collective Agreements

No collective agreement directly affects the terms of this employment, unless expressly stated otherwise in writing.

17. Governing Law

This contract is governed by the laws of England and Wales. The Employee and the Employer submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Employment Tribunals (in respect of statutory claims) and the courts of England and Wales (in respect of other claims).

Signatures:

For and on behalf of the Employer:

_ Date: _ [Name], [Position]

The Employee (I confirm I have read, understood, and accept these terms):

_ Date: _ [Name]

This is a basic template provided for informational purposes. For a professionally generated and legally tailored document, use Bind's contract automation platform.