A contract of employment is a legally binding agreement between an employer and employee. 

This factsheet focuses on ‘contracts of service’ which apply when someone is employed by an organisation. It does not cover ‘contracts for services’ which are used by independent contractors like freelancers.  

These ‘contracts of service’ are commonly referred to as a contract of employment. This factsheet outlines the obligations employers have to their employees in this relationship. Some of the information may also be relevant to workers, depending on the situation.   

The employment law page on terms and conditions of employment covers legal rules around employment contracts, staff handbooks, written statements of employment particulars and covenants in further detail.

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  • Factsheet

    Workplace pensions

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