Template · UK · .docx
UK employment contract — starter template
A starting-point employment contract aligned with the day-one written-statement-of-particulars duty (Employment Rights Act 1996 as amended), covering hours, pay, pensions, holiday, notice, sickness absence, RTW and conduct.
Direct download. No email required. Last reviewed 2026-06-11 against gov.uk and Acas.
WagePerks does not provide legal advice. This template is a starting point only.
Before using it for an employee, review the wording with your solicitor or HR advisor and update
it for your specific role, industry and circumstances.
What this template covers
- Day-one written statement of particulars (Employment Rights Act 1996 s.1, as amended 2020) — required for employees and workers from day one
- Job title, reporting line, summary of duties
- Hours, pattern of work, overtime
- Pay (must be at least National Minimum Wage / National Living Wage)
- Pension auto-enrolment minimums under the Pensions Act 2008
- Statutory holiday entitlement (5.6 weeks — Working Time Regulations 1998)
- Sickness absence and SSP
- Statutory notice periods (Employment Rights Act 1996 s.86)
- Confidentiality, data protection, IP
- Right-to-work confirmation
- Variation clause
What this template doesn't cover
- A bespoke contract for senior / commission-based / international roles — these need additional clauses
- A replacement for sector-specific contracts (e.g. CQC-regulated roles, financial-services SMCR roles)
- A statement of policies — the contract should reference the staff handbook, not duplicate it
- Tax advice — the contract should not attempt to define IR35 / off-payroll status without specialist input
Sources behind this template
- Employment Rights Act 1996 — statement of particulars duty (s.1)
- Working Time Regulations 1998 — 5.6 weeks holiday
- Pensions Act 2008 — auto-enrolment
- gov.uk — National Minimum Wage rates
- Acas — Contracts of employment
Sources verified 2026-06-11. We re-verify quarterly.
How WagePerks fits
Use this template to draft the policy. Then store the signed final version inside the WagePerks document management module — with version history, e-signatures and read receipts — as part of the £4.50 per employee per month all-in price. White-label included. Rolling monthly.