A contract of employment exists as soon as an applicant accepts your offer of employment. A clear, reasonable contract helps you to ensure that the employee understands what is expected, and to minimise the risk of disputes. At the same time, you need to understand what your contractual obligations are, and what terms you can (and cannot) enforce. 

This briefing outlines:

• The basics of employment contracts.
• The content of the written statement.
• What else forms part of the contract.
• Key issues to consider.