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What Should Be in Your Employment Contract

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  1. Wage details should be spelled out

    An employment contract should clearly state how your pay is structured, how it's calculated, and how and when it's paid.

  2. Working hours should be spelled out

    Your agreed daily and weekly working hours should be included in the contract in specific terms.

  3. Holidays and paid leave should be spelled out

    Terms covering rest days and paid time off are also items that should appear clearly in an employment contract.

  4. Work location and job duties should be spelled out

    Writing out specifically where you'll actually work and what your responsibilities will be helps reduce disputes down the line.

  5. Always get a signed copy for yourself

    After the contract is signed, it's important that you personally receive and keep your own copy of it.

Why it's worth reviewing your contract carefully

An employment contract is the core document that sets out the rights and obligations between you and your employer, and missing key terms can put you at a disadvantage if a dispute ever comes up later.

It's worth negotiating unclear terms before you sign

If any term feels vague or is simply missing, it's far easier to raise it and get it clarified in writing before you sign than to try to sort it out afterward, so don't hesitate to ask for specifics upfront.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does an employment contract need to be in writing?

Putting it in writing is standard practice, and it becomes an important, objective record of your agreed terms if a dispute ever arises.

Is a contract made only through a verbal promise not valid?

A verbal agreement can still be legally binding, but its terms can be much harder to prove, so it's best practice to get everything in a written contract and keep a copy.