Contract of Employment - Employers must provide this on or before 1st Day of employment

In the UK, each employee must receive a written statement of particulars of their employment terms on or before their first day of employment. In practice it is much simpler to provide a full contract of employment for signature and return prior to the employees start date, but certainty no later than their first day of employment as this is a legal requirement.  If providing a statement of terms, it should include: 

• Names of the employer and employee;

• Start date and continuous service date; 

• Job title or role description;

• Probationary period details; 

• Place of work;

• Salary and payment frequency; 

• Working hours, including overtime obligations; 

• Holiday entitlement and pay;

• Sick leave and pay;

• Training entitlements; 

• Notice period for termination; 

• Disciplinary and grievance procedures or a reference to where they can be found; 

• Other paid leave' such as bereavement, family leave entitlements; 

• Other benefits in addition to any already listed such as private medical/pension contributions;

• Pension and pension schemes or a statement of compliance with the Pension Act;

• If employed on a fixed term, or temporary contract you must state its length;

If an employee is required to work outside the UK. Whether there are any collective terms affecting the terms of their employment. It is advisable to include this information in a formal written contract which also includes wider obligations on employees in terms of conflict of interest, confidential information and intellectual property.

It is also always good practice to provide a copy of the role description which will make the requirements and responsibilities of the role clear from the outset.