Designed for individuals who are brought into the organization to learn a specific trade employment contracts for small businesses or profession, this contract ensures that the apprentice receives both training and a stipulated wage during their learning period. Tailored for employees who are brought on board for a specific duration or for a particular project, this contract has a clear start and end date. An employment contract can be amended, but a new one needs to be drawn up.

All your company documents available in one place

In every contract there is an obligation to act in “good faith” and to deal fairly with the other party. This provides important protection for employees, since it should deter the employer from breaking the contract unfairly. Easily access and e-sign custom templates for new and existing employees.

Policies tailored to your needs

Protect your business and your employees with a privacy notice and data retention policy. Note that, if an employee has a problem receiving their written statement, you’ll be the first person they speak to. If talks with you don’t work, they can file a grievance or take their case to the employment tribunal. It must also include the date that a previous job started if it counts towards a period of continuous employment. You must provide the principal statement on the first day of employment and the written statement within two months of the start date. The most important thing for businesses to remember is the employee-employer relationship is one of the most important to a business, particularly small businesses.

We have an array of close to 40 templates that cover the entire gamut of employment documents – from proposals and application forms to classical hiring contracts and internal regulatory papers. By downloading them from our site and printing them out, small entrepreneurs, managers, HR specialists, and employees can solve all red tape issues in no time and essentially automate document handling. A standard employment contract is a legal agreement that covers the rights and responsibilities of both the employee and employer. The standard contract covers the expected job duties of the employee and the duration of their employment. Documenting clear expectations, job responsibilities, and employment agreements allows employers to discipline and fire employees who do not meet work performance standards.

Join more than 500,000 UK readers and get the best business admin strategies and tactics, as well as actionable advice to help your company thrive, in your inbox every month. The costs of compensating workers are much more likely to constitute a greater proportion of total costs for small businesses. If you’re a small business owner, you may have more relaxed employment practices and additional workforce planning can put an administrative burden on your business. The Bill makes it compulsory for your business to pay workers at least the National Minimum Wage—(£12.21 per hour is the rate from April 2025). Some of the proposed changes may create disproportionate impacts to small businesses. This article covers the main changes proposed to workplace rights, how they may affect your business, and how you can best prepare for them.

Free contract templates are developed by legal professionals to include essential legal aspects and adhere to industry standards and regulations. This focus on compliance reduces the risk of legal disputes and enhances enforceability. Users should ensure their templates reflect applicable laws and incorporate necessary clauses, and consult legal experts for complex agreements.

Freelance or Contractor Agreement

Include the compensation and benefits, if any, that the worker will receive and on what schedule. The primary categories are included in the template, but you could add others, like relocation assistance if you offer it. When managing freelance agreements, consider tools like Adobe Sign Integration to ensure secure and efficient signing processes. For small businesses that frequently work with multiple agencies, using a Contract Comparison Tool can simplify evaluating and managing different agreements. According to the new provisions in the Bill, the workers you recruit on a zero-hour contract will be entitled to compensation if their shifts are cancelled, moved, or curtailed at short notice.

Protection against unfair dismissal from day one

• Users save valuable time and effort by selecting templates that align with their particular industry or sector.
• Online legal services like LawDepot and Rocket Lawyer offer extensive libraries of free contract templates.
• Many online platforms offer a diverse range of contract templates, catering to professionals across fields like real estate, consulting, and technology.
• It’s often easiest to attach an existing job description if you have one; if not, summarize the position’s key responsibilities within that section of the template.

For help with the validity of your employment contract or help dealing with an employment contract that has been breached, reach out to an employment law attorney for help and more information. Whether you’re talking about full-time employees or part-time employees, many contracts should include a confidential binding arbitration clause. This clause protects both the employee and employer from small business legal disputes.

While free contract templates provide a cost-effective solution, they may not be sufficiently specific for complex agreements and might not replace professional legal advice. Templates can lack tailored provisions for unique circumstances, potentially leading to misunderstandings or disputes. It’s crucial to adapt templates carefully to your needs and consult a legal expert when necessary. Online legal services like LawDepot and Rocket Lawyer offer extensive libraries of free contract templates. These platforms provide templates across various categories, including business agreements, real estate, and financial transactions. Users can modify document templates to fit their specific needs, enabling efficient contract management.