Every employee is entitled to a written contract of employment, which is covered under two separate Acts:

1. Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2018 requires 5 key terms be provided to the employee within 5 days of starting their employment.

2. Terms of Employment (Information) Acts 1994–2014 details more comprehensively and must be provided in writing within 2 months of their start date.

Failure to comply with these Acts leaves the employer open to a Class A criminal conviction carrying a prison sentence of up to 2 years and or a fine of up to €5,000. It also leaves an employer in a very weak position should they need to discipline or dismiss an employee.

Drafting these does not have to be complicated but it does require some careful consideration. So whatever type of contract you need HR Hub provides tailored Contracts and Employee Handbooks.