What is an employment contract?
An employment contract is a written agreement between a UK business and an employee that sets out the job role, pay, hours, and the rules both sides must follow under the Employment Rights Act 1996.
Employment & HR
Employment Contract
Generate a professional employment contract that reflects the Employment Rights Act 1996 and written statement requirements, tailored for UK employers.
- Write a full-time employment contract
Generate a full-time employment contract compliant with the Employment Rights Act 1996 for hiring [Employee] as a [Job Position] at [Company Name] (Company No. [Companies House Number]).
- Write a part-time employment contract
Generate a part-time employment contract for hiring [Employee] as a [Job Position] at [Company Name] (Company No. [Companies House Number]), consistent with UK employment law and the Part-time Workers Regulations.
- Write a contractor agreement
Create a contractor agreement between [Client] and [Contractor Name] for providing [Description of Services], drafted to reflect the distinction between an employee and a self-employed contractor under UK law.
Employment Contract Generator (UK)
An employment contract for the UK is the written agreement that satisfies the legal requirement to provide employees with a written statement of employment particulars under the Employment Rights Act 1996. This free UK employment contract generator produces full-time, part-time, and self-employed contractor agreements that cover pay, hours, holiday entitlement, notice periods, and National Minimum Wage compliance. It is designed for UK small businesses, startups, and HR teams that need Employment Rights Act-compliant contracts issued from day one, without paying solicitor fees for every hire. The generator clearly distinguishes employees, workers, and self-employed contractors, a distinction with major implications for tax, National Insurance, and employment rights in the UK. Use it to onboard staff compliantly, set clear terms from the outset, and reduce the risk of employment tribunal claims.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a written employment contract in the UK?
Yes. UK employers must provide employees with a written statement of employment particulars from day one, and a full contract covers this requirement while adding further protections.
What must a UK written statement of employment particulars include?
It must cover pay, hours, holiday entitlement, place of work, job title, and notice periods, among other core terms required under the Employment Rights Act 1996.
What is the National Minimum Wage and does it apply to my employees?
The National Minimum Wage (and National Living Wage for older workers) sets the minimum hourly pay UK employers must pay, based on the employee's age and status.
What is the difference between an employee, worker, and self-employed contractor in the UK?
Employees have the most rights and work under close direction. Workers have some rights but more flexibility. Self-employed contractors run their own business and are responsible for their own tax via self-assessment.
What is a probation period in the UK?
A probation period is a trial phase, commonly 3 to 6 months, during which either party can end the employment with a shorter notice period as set out in the contract.
What should a termination clause include for a UK employment contract?
It should state the statutory or contractual notice period (whichever is longer), any grounds for summary dismissal, and how redundancy pay is calculated if applicable.