Employment contract

Employment contract

The contract of employment is a document which sets out the rights and obligations of both parties. As a result, the contents and the construction of the contract are of primary importance in determining the extent of the obligations each party has and in deciding when one party is acting outside the scope of the employment contract and is, therefore, in breach.

This subtopic provides guidance to employers and employees on all aspects of the employment contract.

Key precedents

Key precedents include:

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Employment contract basic version
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Employment contract for senior employee
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Executive service agreement
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Executive service agreement (short form)
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Employment contract basic version (Scotland)
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Employment contract for senior employee (Scotland)
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Executive service agreement (Scotland)
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Executive service agreement (short form, Scotland)

Types of contractual term

Contracts of employment set out the relationship between an employer and employee. They are made up of various different types of terms.

Practice Note: Types of contractual term in employment covers express terms, implied terms, imposed terms and incorporated terms that may make up an employment contract. It explains

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Latest Employment News

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The Women and Equalities Committee (WEC) has published a report evaluating the UK’s parental leave system. It identifies key shortcomings, including low statutory parental pay, limited paternity leave, and complex eligibility criteria for shared parental leave (SPL). The report finds that the statutory pay rate—significantly below the National Living Wage—creates financial hardship and discourages uptake, particularly among fathers and other parents. The WEC recommends a series of reforms. While acknowledging the direct fiscal impact, it argues that the wider social and economic benefits, such as those achieved through increasing mothers’ labour market attachment and career progression and narrowing the household gender pay gap, would justify the investment. The government has two months to respond.