git:20260307.47a5dbc to git:20260522.be57c0b
2 added, 458 removed. Audit A to A.
---
name: employment-contract-templates
description: Create employment contracts, offer letters, and HR policy documents following legal best practices. Use when drafting employment agreements, creating HR policies, or standardizing employment documentation.
---
# Employment Contract Templates
Templates and patterns for creating legally sound employment documentation including contracts, offer letters, and HR policies.
## When to Use This Skill
- Drafting employment contracts
- Creating offer letters
- Writing employee handbooks
- Developing HR policies
- Standardizing employment documentation
- Onboarding documentation
## Core Concepts
### 1. Employment Document Types
| Document | Purpose | When Used |
| ----------------------- | ----------------------- | ------------- |
| **Offer Letter** | Initial job offer | Pre-hire |
| **Employment Contract** | Formal agreement | Hire |
| **Employee Handbook** | Policies & procedures | Onboarding |
| **NDA** | Confidentiality | Before access |
| **Non-Compete** | Competition restriction | Hire/Exit |
### 2. Key Legal Considerations
```
Employment Relationship:
├── At-Will vs. Contract
├── Employee vs. Contractor
├── Full-Time vs. Part-Time
├── Exempt vs. Non-Exempt
└── Jurisdiction-Specific Requirements
```
**DISCLAIMER: These templates are for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Consult with qualified legal counsel before using any employment documents.**
- ## Templates
-
- ### Template 1: Offer Letter
-
- ```markdown
- # EMPLOYMENT OFFER LETTER
-
- [Company Letterhead]
-
- Date: [DATE]
-
- [Candidate Name]
- [Address]
- [City, State ZIP]
-
- Dear [Candidate Name],
-
- We are pleased to extend an offer of employment for the position of [JOB TITLE]
- at [COMPANY NAME]. We believe your skills and experience will be valuable
- additions to our team.
-
- ## Position Details
-
- **Title:** [Job Title]
- **Department:** [Department]
- **Reports To:** [Manager Name/Title]
- **Location:** [Office Location / Remote]
- **Start Date:** [Proposed Start Date]
- **Employment Type:** [Full-Time/Part-Time], [Exempt/Non-Exempt]
-
- ## Compensation
-
- **Base Salary:** $[AMOUNT] per [year/hour], paid [bi-weekly/semi-monthly/monthly]
- **Bonus:** [Eligible for annual bonus of up to X% based on company and individual
- performance / Not applicable]
- **Equity:** [X shares of stock options vesting over 4 years with 1-year cliff /
- Not applicable]
-
- ## Benefits
-
- You will be eligible for our standard benefits package, including:
-
- - Health insurance (medical, dental, vision) effective [date]
- - 401(k) with [X]% company match
- - [x] days paid time off per year
- - [x] paid holidays
- - [Other benefits]
-
- Full details will be provided during onboarding.
-
- ## Contingencies
-
- This offer is contingent upon:
-
- - Successful completion of background check
- - Verification of your right to work in [Country]
- - Execution of required employment documents including:
- - Confidentiality Agreement
- - [Non-Compete Agreement, if applicable]
- - [IP Assignment Agreement]
-
- ## At-Will Employment
-
- Please note that employment with [Company Name] is at-will. This means that
- either you or the Company may terminate the employment relationship at any time,
- with or without cause or notice. This offer letter does not constitute a
- contract of employment for any specific period.
-
- ## Acceptance
-
- To accept this offer, please sign below and return by [DEADLINE DATE]. This
- offer will expire if not accepted by that date.
-
- We are excited about the possibility of you joining our team. If you have any
- questions, please contact [HR Contact] at [email/phone].
-
- Sincerely,
-
- ---
-
- [Hiring Manager Name]
- [Title]
- [Company Name]
-
- ---
-
- ## ACCEPTANCE
-
- I accept this offer of employment and agree to the terms stated above.
-
- Signature: ************\_************
-
- Printed Name: ************\_************
-
- Date: ************\_************
-
- Anticipated Start Date: ************\_************
- ```
-
- ### Template 2: Employment Agreement (Contract Position)
-
- ```markdown
- # EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
-
- This Employment Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into as of [DATE]
- ("Effective Date") by and between:
-
- **Employer:** [COMPANY LEGAL NAME], a [State] [corporation/LLC]
- with principal offices at [Address] ("Company")
-
- **Employee:** [EMPLOYEE NAME], an individual residing at [Address] ("Employee")
-
- ## 1. EMPLOYMENT
-
- 1.1 **Position.** The Company agrees to employ Employee as [JOB TITLE],
- reporting to [Manager Title]. Employee accepts such employment subject to
- the terms of this Agreement.
-
- 1.2 **Duties.** Employee shall perform duties consistent with their position,
- including but not limited to:
-
- - [Primary duty 1]
- - [Primary duty 2]
- - [Primary duty 3]
- - Other duties as reasonably assigned
-
- 1.3 **Best Efforts.** Employee agrees to devote their full business time,
- attention, and best efforts to the Company's business during employment.
-
- 1.4 **Location.** Employee's primary work location shall be [Location/Remote].
- [Travel requirements, if any.]
-
- ## 2. TERM
-
- 2.1 **Employment Period.** This Agreement shall commence on [START DATE] and
- continue until terminated as provided herein.
-
- 2.2 **At-Will Employment.** [FOR AT-WILL STATES] Notwithstanding anything
- herein, employment is at-will and may be terminated by either party at any
- time, with or without cause or notice.
-
- [OR FOR FIXED TERM:]
- 2.2 **Fixed Term.** This Agreement is for a fixed term of [X] months/years,
- ending on [END DATE], unless terminated earlier as provided herein or extended
- by mutual written agreement.
-
- ## 3. COMPENSATION
-
- 3.1 **Base Salary.** Employee shall receive a base salary of $[AMOUNT] per year,
- payable in accordance with the Company's standard payroll practices, subject to
- applicable withholdings.
-
- 3.2 **Bonus.** Employee may be eligible for an annual discretionary bonus of up
- to [X]% of base salary, based on [criteria]. Bonus payments are at Company's
- sole discretion and require active employment at payment date.
-
- 3.3 **Equity.** [If applicable] Subject to Board approval and the Company's
- equity incentive plan, Employee shall be granted [X shares/options] under the
- terms of a separate Stock Option Agreement.
-
- 3.4 **Benefits.** Employee shall be entitled to participate in benefit plans
- offered to similarly situated employees, subject to plan terms and eligibility
- requirements.
-
- 3.5 **Expenses.** Company shall reimburse Employee for reasonable business
- expenses incurred in accordance with Company policy.
-
- ## 4. CONFIDENTIALITY
-
- 4.1 **Confidential Information.** Employee acknowledges access to confidential
- and proprietary information including: trade secrets, business plans, customer
- lists, financial data, technical information, and other non-public information
- ("Confidential Information").
-
- 4.2 **Non-Disclosure.** During and after employment, Employee shall not
- disclose, use, or permit use of any Confidential Information except as required
- for their duties or with prior written consent.
-
- 4.3 **Return of Materials.** Upon termination, Employee shall immediately return
- all Company property and Confidential Information in any form.
-
- 4.4 **Survival.** Confidentiality obligations survive termination indefinitely
- for trade secrets and for [3] years for other Confidential Information.
-
- ## 5. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
-
- 5.1 **Work Product.** All inventions, discoveries, works, and developments
- created by Employee during employment, relating to Company's business, or using
- Company resources ("Work Product") shall be Company's sole property.
-
- 5.2 **Assignment.** Employee hereby assigns to Company all rights in Work
- Product, including all intellectual property rights.
-
- 5.3 **Assistance.** Employee agrees to execute documents and take actions
- necessary to perfect Company's rights in Work Product.
-
- 5.4 **Prior Inventions.** Attached as Exhibit A is a list of any prior
- inventions that Employee wishes to exclude from this Agreement.
-
- ## 6. NON-COMPETITION AND NON-SOLICITATION
-
- [NOTE: Enforceability varies by jurisdiction. Consult local counsel.]
-
- 6.1 **Non-Competition.** During employment and for [12] months after
- termination, Employee shall not, directly or indirectly, engage in any business
- competitive with Company's business within [Geographic Area].
-
- 6.2 **Non-Solicitation of Customers.** During employment and for [12] months
- after termination, Employee shall not solicit any customer of the Company for
- competing products or services.
-
- 6.3 **Non-Solicitation of Employees.** During employment and for [12] months
- after termination, Employee shall not recruit or solicit any Company employee
- to leave Company employment.
-
- ## 7. TERMINATION
-
- 7.1 **By Company for Cause.** Company may terminate immediately for Cause,
- defined as:
- (a) Material breach of this Agreement
- (b) Conviction of a felony
- (c) Fraud, dishonesty, or gross misconduct
- (d) Failure to perform duties after written notice and cure period
-
- 7.2 **By Company Without Cause.** Company may terminate without Cause upon
- [30] days written notice.
-
- 7.3 **By Employee.** Employee may terminate upon [30] days written notice.
-
- 7.4 **Severance.** [If applicable] Upon termination without Cause, Employee
- shall receive [X] weeks base salary as severance, contingent upon execution
- of a release agreement.
-
- 7.5 **Effect of Termination.** Upon termination:
-
- - All compensation earned through termination date shall be paid
- - Unvested equity shall be forfeited
- - Benefits terminate per plan terms
- - Sections 4, 5, 6, 8, and 9 survive termination
-
- ## 8. GENERAL PROVISIONS
-
- 8.1 **Entire Agreement.** This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and
- supersedes all prior negotiations, representations, and agreements.
-
- 8.2 **Amendments.** This Agreement may be amended only by written agreement
- signed by both parties.
-
- 8.3 **Governing Law.** This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of [State],
- without regard to conflicts of law principles.
-
- 8.4 **Dispute Resolution.** [Arbitration clause or jurisdiction selection]
-
- 8.5 **Severability.** If any provision is unenforceable, it shall be modified
- to the minimum extent necessary, and remaining provisions shall remain in effect.
-
- 8.6 **Notices.** Notices shall be in writing and delivered to addresses above.
-
- 8.7 **Assignment.** Employee may not assign this Agreement. Company may assign
- to a successor.
-
- 8.8 **Waiver.** Failure to enforce any provision shall not constitute waiver.
-
- ## 9. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
-
- Employee acknowledges:
-
- - Having read and understood this Agreement
- - Having opportunity to consult with counsel
- - Agreeing to all terms voluntarily
-
- ---
-
- IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
- Effective Date.
-
- **[COMPANY NAME]**
-
- By: ************\_************
- Name: [Authorized Signatory]
- Title: [Title]
- Date: ************\_************
-
- **EMPLOYEE**
-
- Signature: ************\_************
- Name: [Employee Name]
- Date: ************\_************
-
- ---
-
- ## EXHIBIT A: PRIOR INVENTIONS
-
- [Employee to list any prior inventions, if any, or write "None"]
-
- ---
- ```
-
- ### Template 3: Employee Handbook Policy Section
-
- ```markdown
- # EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK - POLICY SECTION
-
- ## EMPLOYMENT POLICIES
-
- ### Equal Employment Opportunity
-
- [Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on
- race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national
- origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.
-
- This policy applies to all employment practices including:
-
- - Recruitment and hiring
- - Compensation and benefits
- - Training and development
- - Promotions and transfers
- - Termination
-
- ### Anti-Harassment Policy
-
- [Company Name] is committed to providing a workplace free from harassment.
- Harassment based on any protected characteristic is strictly prohibited.
-
- **Prohibited Conduct Includes:**
-
- - Unwelcome sexual advances or requests for sexual favors
- - Offensive comments, jokes, or slurs
- - Physical conduct such as assault or unwanted touching
- - Visual conduct such as displaying offensive images
- - Threatening, intimidating, or hostile acts
-
- **Reporting Procedure:**
-
- 1. Report to your manager, HR, or any member of leadership
- 2. Reports may be made verbally or in writing
- 3. Anonymous reports are accepted via [hotline/email]
-
- **Investigation:**
- All reports will be promptly investigated. Retaliation against anyone who
- reports harassment is strictly prohibited and will result in disciplinary
- action up to termination.
-
- ### Work Hours and Attendance
-
- **Standard Hours:** [8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday]
- **Core Hours:** [10:00 AM - 3:00 PM] - Employees expected to be available
- **Flexible Work:** [Policy on remote work, flexible scheduling]
-
- **Attendance Expectations:**
-
- - Notify your manager as soon as possible if you will be absent
- - Excessive unexcused absences may result in disciplinary action
- - [x] unexcused absences in [Y] days considered excessive
-
- ### Paid Time Off (PTO)
-
- **PTO Accrual:**
- | Years of Service | Annual PTO Days |
- |------------------|-----------------|
- | 0-2 years | 15 days |
- | 3-5 years | 20 days |
- | 6+ years | 25 days |
-
- **PTO Guidelines:**
-
- - PTO accrues per pay period
- - Maximum accrual: [X] days (use it or lose it after)
- - Request PTO at least [2] weeks in advance
- - Manager approval required
- - PTO may not be taken during [blackout periods]
-
- ### Sick Leave
-
- - [x] days sick leave per year
- - May be used for personal illness or family member care
- - Doctor's note required for absences exceeding [3] days
-
- ### Holidays
-
- The following paid holidays are observed:
-
- - New Year's Day
- - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- - Presidents Day
- - Memorial Day
- - Independence Day
- - Labor Day
- - Thanksgiving Day
- - Day after Thanksgiving
- - Christmas Day
- - [Floating holiday]
-
- ### Code of Conduct
-
- All employees are expected to:
-
- - Act with integrity and honesty
- - Treat colleagues, customers, and partners with respect
- - Protect company confidential information
- - Avoid conflicts of interest
- - Comply with all laws and regulations
- - Report any violations of this code
-
- **Violations may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.**
-
- ### Technology and Communication
-
- **Acceptable Use:**
-
- - Company technology is for business purposes
- - Limited personal use is permitted if it doesn't interfere with work
- - No illegal activities or viewing inappropriate content
-
- **Monitoring:**
-
- - Company reserves the right to monitor company systems
- - Employees should have no expectation of privacy on company devices
-
- **Security:**
-
- - Use strong passwords and enable 2FA
- - Report security incidents immediately
- - Lock devices when unattended
-
- ### Social Media Policy
-
- **Personal Social Media:**
-
- - Clearly state opinions are your own, not the company's
- - Do not share confidential company information
- - Be respectful and professional
-
- **Company Social Media:**
-
- - Only authorized personnel may post on behalf of the company
- - Follow brand guidelines
- - Escalate negative comments to [Marketing/PR]
-
- ---
-
- ## ACKNOWLEDGMENT
-
- I acknowledge that I have received a copy of the Employee Handbook and
- understand that:
-
- 1. I am responsible for reading and understanding its contents
- 2. The handbook does not create a contract of employment
- 3. Policies may be changed at any time at the company's discretion
- 4. Employment is at-will [if applicable]
-
- I agree to abide by the policies and procedures outlined in this handbook.
-
- Employee Signature: ************\_************
-
- Employee Name (Print): ************\_************
+ ## Templates and detailed worked examples
- Date: ************\_************
- ```
+ Full template library and detailed worked examples live in `references/details.md`. Read that file when you need the concrete templates.
## Best Practices
### Do's
- **Consult legal counsel** - Employment law varies by jurisdiction
- **Keep copies signed** - Document all agreements
- **Update regularly** - Laws and policies change
- **Be clear and specific** - Avoid ambiguity
- **Train managers** - On policies and procedures
### Don'ts
- **Don't use generic templates** - Customize for your jurisdiction
- **Don't make promises** - That could create implied contracts
- **Don't discriminate** - In language or application
- **Don't forget at-will language** - Where applicable
- **Don't skip review** - Have legal counsel review all documents