Employment contracts – they’re not exactly light reading, are they? But trust me, they’re way more important than you might think. A poorly drafted contract can lead to headaches, misunderstandings, and even legal trouble down the road.

The good news? I’ve created a handy-dandy Employment Contract Checklist that you can download for FREE to help you avoid common pitfalls.

Why Should You Care About Your Employment Contracts?

Imagine this:

• An employee consistently shows up late and dresses inappropriately, but you have nothing in writing to enforce professional standards.
• A former employee starts poaching your clients or even copying your marketing materials, and you have no legal recourse.
• You’re hit with an unexpected claim of underpayment, even though you’re confident you’re paying above award rates.

These are just a few examples that can stem from poorly written or incomplete contracts.

What Should Your Employment Contract Cover?

Let’s break it down. Your contract should include:

• The Basics: It all starts with putting things in writing. This includes the employee’s role, responsibilities, salary or hourly rate, and Award compliance information.
• Expectations: Be clear about your expectations for things like dress code, communication, and overall conduct.
• Entitlements: Outline the employee’s entitlements, including pay rates, leave, and any relevant set-off provisions for over-award payments.
• Termination: Don’t forget to include details about probationary periods, notice periods, and other termination procedures.
• Business Protection: Safeguard your business with clauses covering confidentiality, non-disclosure, intellectual property, and non-compete agreements.

Ready to give your employment contracts a thorough review? Download my free Employment Contract Checklist here:

A Word of Caution

This checklist is a great starting point, but it’s not a substitute for legal advice. If you have complex questions or concerns, it’s always a good idea to consult with an employment lawyer.

Do You Need to Take Action?

This checklist is a great starting point, but it’s not a substitute for professional advice.

If you have questions or concerns, we’d be happy to support you with a compliance review of your employment contracts where we outline suggested improvements – it’s a small step that can save you from major headaches down the line.