Free Contract of Employment Template (UK)

[Employee name]
Via email
Strictly Private and Confidential

Dear [Employee preferred first name],

I am pleased to offer you a permanent position at [Company name] (the "Company"). This letter sets out the terms and conditions of your employment and I should be grateful if you would sign and return the enclosed copy confirming your acceptance.

1. TITLE AND DUTIES
1.1 You are employed by the Company as [Job title].
1.2 Your employment commences on [Start date]. Your period of continuous employment begins on this date.
1.3 You will perform such duties and exercise such powers as the Company may from time to time require. During your employment you will well and faithfully serve the Company and devote the whole of your attention and skills to your duties during your working hours.

2. PLACE OF WORK
2.1 Your normal place of work is [Place of work]. The Company may require you to work at other locations or to travel from time to time in the performance of your duties.

3. HOURS OF WORK
3.1 Your normal working hours are [Hours per week] hours per week. You may be required to work such additional hours as are necessary to fulfil your duties. By signing this letter you agree, in accordance with Regulation 5 of the Working Time Regulations 1998, that the 48-hour weekly limit will not apply to you. You may withdraw this consent on three months' written notice.

4. SALARY
4.1 Your annual salary is [£ amount] (less statutory deductions), payable monthly in arrears on the 27th of each month. If the payroll date falls on a weekend, payment will be made on the preceding Friday.
4.2 The Company has the right to deduct from your salary any sums properly due from you to the Company.

5. BENEFITS AND PENSION
5.1 You will be eligible to participate in the Company's pension scheme and any other benefits as set out in the Employee Handbook, subject to the rules of those schemes from time to time in force.
5.2 You will be automatically enrolled into the Company's workplace pension scheme in accordance with auto-enrolment legislation.

6. BONUS
6.1 You will be eligible to participate in the Company's discretionary bonus scheme. Any bonus will be conditional upon your performance, conduct and the profitability of the Company, and upon you remaining an active employee on the date of payment. Bonuses are discretionary and do not form part of your contractual salary.

7. NOTICE PERIODS
7.1 During the first [Probation period] of your employment, either party may terminate your employment by giving [Notice period] written notice.
7.2 Following successful completion of your probationary period, either party must give [Notice period] written notice to terminate your employment, unless summary dismissal is justified. The Company reserves the right to make a payment in lieu of notice (PILON).

8. EXPENSES
8.1 The Company will reimburse reasonable travelling, hotel and other out-of-pocket expenses properly and necessarily incurred in the performance of your duties, subject to production of receipts and the Company's expenses policy.

9. HOLIDAYS
9.1 You are entitled to [Holiday days] days' paid holiday per leave year (in addition to public holidays). The holiday year runs from 1 January to 31 December.
9.2 Holiday entitlement accrues pro rata. On termination you will be entitled to pay in lieu of any outstanding accrued entitlement. Any holiday taken in excess of your accrued entitlement will be deducted from your final salary.

10. SICKNESS
10.1 Provided you supply appropriate self-certification and/or medical certificates as required by the Company, you will be entitled to full salary during absence due to sickness or injury for up to three months in any rolling 12-month period.
10.2 Statutory Sick Pay will be paid where applicable. The Company may require you to undergo a medical examination by a nominated doctor, at the Company's expense.

11. TERMINATION AND GARDEN LEAVE
11.1 The Company may in its absolute discretion terminate your employment immediately and pay your salary in lieu of any required notice period.
11.2 Where notice of termination has been served by either party, the Company may at its discretion place you on garden leave for all or part of the notice period, during which it may require you not to attend the Company's premises, to refrain from contact with clients, customers or colleagues, and to take any accrued holiday. Your obligations of confidentiality and good faith will continue in full during any such period.
11.3 The Company may terminate your employment immediately without notice or PILON where you commit a serious or repeated breach of your obligations, are guilty of gross misconduct, are charged with a criminal offence (other than a minor road traffic offence not attracting a custodial sentence), or in any other circumstances justifying summary dismissal.
11.4 On termination, you must immediately return all Company property and must not retain copies of any documents or confidential information belonging to the Company.

12. CONFIDENTIALITY
12.1 You must at all times, both during and after your employment, keep confidential and not disclose or use for your own or any other person's benefit any Confidential Information relating to the business, clients or affairs of the Company. Confidential Information includes financial data, client information, business strategies, pricing, personnel information, and any other proprietary information not in the public domain.

13. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
13.1 All intellectual property rights in any work created by you in the course of your employment shall vest in and belong absolutely to the Company. You will execute such documents as the Company may require to give effect to this clause.

14. POST-TERMINATION RESTRICTIONS
14.1 For a period of 90 days following termination of your employment you will not directly or indirectly solicit, approach or endeavour to entice away from the Company any client, customer or employee of the Company with whom you had material dealings during the six months prior to termination.

15. DISCIPLINARY AND GRIEVANCE
15.1 The Company's disciplinary and grievance procedures are set out in the Employee Handbook. These procedures do not form part of your contract of employment and may be amended at any time.

16. GOVERNING LAW
16.1 This letter is governed by, and shall be construed in accordance with, the laws of England and Wales.

The terms of this offer are open for acceptance until [Offer acceptance deadline]. Please confirm your acceptance by signing and returning the enclosed copy to [HR contact].

We look forward to welcoming you to the team.

Yours sincerely,

[Your name]
For and on behalf of [Company name]

I have read, understood and accept this offer of employment on the terms set out in this letter.

Signed: .......................................    Dated: .....................................