Employment Contracts: What do they mean and what should be included?

When you start a new job you will create a contract of employment with your employer. It does not always need to be in writing. If you agree to work for an employer and the employer agrees to pay you for this work, a contract of employment has been created it has just been agreed verbally.

Written statement of particulars

When an employee starts a new job they must be provided with a document called a written statement of particulars. This is not an employment contract but a document that outlines the conditions of work. You must receive a written statement of particulars within 2 months of starting a job. However, most employers will include this as part of your employment contract. A written statement of particulars must include:

• The name of the employee, their job title and job description
• The employer’s name
• The job start date and how long it is expected to last
• How much the employee will be paid and how they will be paid
• The number of hours the employee will be working and on which days
• Where the employee will be working and if they will ever need to work in different places
• Holiday entitlement
• If there is any probationary period and what the conditions of this are
• Any mandatory training and who will pay for this
• Any pension schemes
• If there are any other benefits provided such as childcare or lunch
• Disciplinary and grievance procedures
• Any other agreements between the employer and the employee

The employer must also provide information about sick pay, notice periods and any other paid leave for things such as maternity/paternity leave. They must either include this in the written statement of particulars or in another document on the employee’s first day.

Make sure you keep this and any other documents given to you by your employer safe.