Employment Contract

• Both employer and employee must sign the contract — an unsigned contract is unenforceable.
• In the UK, employers must provide a written statement of employment particulars on or before the employee's first day (Employment Rights Act 1996, as amended 2020).
• A contract cannot override statutory minimums — national minimum wage, statutory holiday entitlement (5.6 weeks in the UK), sick pay and other statutory rights always apply.
• No solicitor or notarisation is required — but legal advice is strongly recommended for complex roles or senior positions.
• The employee should receive their signed copy before or on their first day of employment.
• Probationary periods are not a statutory concept in the UK — but from April 2024, unfair dismissal rights apply from day one (pending legislation).
• Non-compete and non-solicitation clauses must be reasonable in scope, duration and geography to be enforceable.
• Employment law varies enormously between countries — always verify compliance with local statutory obligations.

This is public legal information, not legal advice. Rules vary by jurisdiction — always verify requirements in your country. For complex situations, consult a qualified solicitor.