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Employment Contract Template
Clause-by-clause employment agreement with sample wording: at-will or notice period, pay, FLSA status, IP, restrictive covenants, UK and fixed-term notes.
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What you get
- 16 numbered clauses with sample wording you can paste into your own document
- Two termination options: a US at-will statement and a UK/EU/India notice-period clause
- A compensation and classification block covering FLSA exempt vs non-exempt status
- State-by-state caution on non-competes, including where they are void
- Variant notes for part-time and fixed-term contracts, plus UK day-one written statement requirements
Template preview
A preview of the structure. Download the PDF or CSV for the complete, ready-to-use version.
1. Parties and key terms
- Employer legal name and registered address
- Employee full legal name and home address
- Job title— Match the title on the offer letter
- Reports to (title, not just name)
2. Position and duties
[Company name] employs [Employee name] as [Job title], reporting to [Manager title]. The Employee will perform the duties set out in the attached job description and other reasonable duties consistent with the role that the Company assigns from time to time. The Employee agrees to devote their full working time and attention to the Company's business and will not take on outside employment that conflicts with the Company's interests without prior written approval from [HR / Manager title].
3A. Termination – US at-will version
Employment with [Company name] is at will. Either the Employee or the Company may end the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause and with or without notice. Nothing in this agreement, the employee handbook, or any other Company document or oral statement changes the at-will nature of employment. Only a written agreement signed by [CEO / President] can change it. The Company requests, but does not require, [two weeks'] notice of resignation.
3B. Termination – notice-period version (UK / EU / India)
After the probationary period of [3 / 6] months, either party may end this agreement by giving the other [one month / X weeks] written notice. During probation, the notice period is [one week]. In the UK, the Company's notice will never be less than the statutory minimum: one week after one month of service, rising to one week per complete year of service up to twelve weeks. The Company may, at its discretion, pay salary in lieu of all or part of the notice period, or place the Employee on garden leave. Nothing in this clause limits the Company's right to terminate without notice for gross misconduct.
4. Compensation and classification
Fill every row. Example values shown in brackets are illustrations only.
| Item | Terms | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Base pay | [Annual salary or hourly rate], paid [bi-weekly / semi-monthly / monthly] | $78,000 per year, paid bi-weekly (26 periods) |
| FLSA status (US) | Exempt or non-exempt, and the exemption relied on | Exempt – administrative exemption; salary basis and duties test met |
| Overtime | Non-exempt only: 1.5x the regular rate after 40 hours in a workweek, plus any state daily rules | California: 1.5x after 8 hours/day, 2x after 12 hours/day |
| Bonus / commission | Reference the separate written plan; state it is discretionary if it is | Up to 10% annual discretionary bonus under the 2026 Bonus Plan |
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How to use this template
- 1
Pick the termination model
Use the at-will clause for US hires (except Montana, which limits at-will after a probationary period) and the notice-period clause for the UK, EU, India, and most other countries. Delete the one you are not using.
- 2
Fill the particulars
Complete the parties, role, start date, pay, hours, and work location fields. Match the pay figures exactly to the signed offer letter so the two documents never conflict.
- 3
Decide on restrictive covenants
Keep confidentiality and IP assignment for almost every hire. Add non-solicitation or non-compete clauses only after counsel confirms they are enforceable for this role and state.
- 4
Attach the referenced documents
The contract points to a separate confidentiality agreement, IP assignment, and handbook. Attach or link each one so the entire-agreement clause captures them.
- 5
Sign before day one
Get both signatures before the start date. In the UK, the written statement of particulars must be given on or before the first day of work.
Frequently asked questions
Do US companies need a written employment contract at all?
No federal law requires one, and most US employees work under an offer letter plus handbook. A written contract is still useful for senior hires, employees with equity or commission, fixed-term roles, and anyone who will sign IP and confidentiality terms. If you use one for an at-will employee, keep the at-will statement explicit so the contract is not read as promising a set term.
What is the difference between an employment contract and an offer letter?
An offer letter is a short summary of the job, pay, and start date that the candidate accepts. An employment contract sets out the full legal terms, including termination, IP, dispute resolution, and governing law. Many companies send the offer letter first and attach the contract for signature once the offer is accepted.
Is an at-will employment agreement enforceable in every state?
At-will is the default in 49 states. Montana is the exception: after a probationary period, employees can only be dismissed for good cause under the Wrongful Discharge from Employment Act. Even in at-will states, you cannot fire someone for a discriminatory or retaliatory reason, and a written promise of a fixed term or 'termination only for cause' overrides at-will status.
What must a UK employment contract include?
Since April 2020, every employee and worker must receive a written statement of particulars on or before their first day. It has to cover pay, hours, holiday, notice, probation, place of work, sick pay, other benefits, and training. Pension details and the disciplinary procedure can sit in a separate document given within two months.
Can we include a non-compete in an employment contract?
Only where it is lawful for that employee's location. Non-competes are void for employees in California, Minnesota (agreements signed from July 1, 2023), North Dakota, and Oklahoma, and many other states restrict them by pay level or require advance notice. Most employers get the protection they need from confidentiality, IP assignment, and customer non-solicitation clauses instead.
Should a fixed-term contract say it can be ended early?
Yes. Without an early-termination clause, ending a fixed-term contract before its end date can expose the employer to damages for the unexpired term. Include a notice clause that allows either party to end it early, and state what happens at the end date if the employee keeps working.