Free Employment Contract Template

Below is a complete employment contract template you can copy, customize, and use immediately. Replace all bracketed placeholders with the relevant details for your hire.

EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT
This Employment Contract ("Agreement") is entered into as of [Start Date], by and between:
Employer: [Employer Legal Name], a [State/Country] [corporation/LLC/partnership] with its principal place of business at [Employer Address] ("Employer"),
and
Employee: [Employee Full Legal Name], residing at [Employee Address] ("Employee").
Collectively referred to as the "Parties."

1. Position and Duties
The Employer hereby employs the Employee in the position of [Job Title] within the [Department Name] department. The Employee shall report to [Supervisor Name/Title] and perform the duties outlined in the attached job description, as well as any additional responsibilities reasonably assigned by the Employer. The Employee agrees to devote their full professional time, attention, and best efforts to the performance of these duties during working hours.
2. Term of Employment
This Agreement shall commence on [Start Date] and shall continue on an at-will basis unless otherwise specified. Either Party may terminate this Agreement in accordance with Section 11 below. If this is a fixed-term engagement, employment shall end on [End Date] unless renewed in writing by both Parties.
3. Compensation
The Employee shall receive a base salary of [Amount] per [year/month/hour], payable in accordance with the Employer's standard payroll schedule, currently [weekly/biweekly/monthly]. The Employee may also be eligible for performance-based bonuses, commissions, or profit-sharing as determined by the Employer's compensation policies. All compensation is subject to applicable tax withholdings and deductions required by law.
4. Benefits
The Employee shall be eligible to participate in the Employer's benefits programs, which may include health insurance, dental and vision coverage, retirement savings plans, paid time off, sick leave, and other benefits as described in the Employee Handbook. Eligibility for certain benefits may be subject to a waiting period or probation completion. The Employer reserves the right to modify benefits programs at any time with reasonable notice.
5. Work Schedule and Location
The Employee's standard work schedule shall be [Number] hours per week, generally [Days of the Week], from [Start Time] to [End Time]. The primary work location shall be [Office Address/Remote]. If the position includes remote or hybrid work arrangements, the specific expectations and equipment provisions are outlined in the Employer's remote-work policy. The Employer may modify the schedule or location with reasonable notice based on business needs.
6. Probation Period
The Employee shall serve a probationary period of [Number] [weeks/months] beginning on the start date. During this period, either Party may terminate the employment relationship with [Number] days' written notice. Upon successful completion of the probationary period, the Employee shall be confirmed in the role and the standard notice and termination provisions of this Agreement shall apply.
7. Confidentiality
The Employee acknowledges that during the course of employment they will have access to confidential and proprietary information of the Employer, including but not limited to trade secrets, business plans, client lists, financial data, marketing strategies, and technical know-how ("Confidential Information"). The Employee agrees not to disclose, publish, or use any Confidential Information for any purpose outside the scope of their employment, both during and after the termination of this Agreement. This obligation shall survive the termination of employment for a period of [Number] years.
8. Non-Compete and Non-Solicitation
For a period of [Number] months following termination of employment, the Employee agrees not to (a) engage in or contribute to any business that directly competes with the Employer within [Geographic Area], or (b) solicit, recruit, or hire any employee, contractor, or client of the Employer for the benefit of a competing business. The Parties acknowledge that these restrictions are reasonable in scope and duration and are necessary to protect the Employer's legitimate business interests.
9. Intellectual Property
All inventions, works of authorship, designs, software, ideas, and other intellectual property created by the Employee during the term of employment and within the scope of their duties or using the Employer's resources shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Employer. The Employee hereby assigns all rights, title, and interest in such intellectual property to the Employer and agrees to execute any documents necessary to perfect such assignment. Pre-existing intellectual property owned by the Employee prior to the start date is excluded from this clause and should be listed in an attached schedule if applicable.
10. Expense Reimbursement
The Employer shall reimburse the Employee for all reasonable and pre-approved business expenses incurred in the performance of their duties, including travel, lodging, meals, and professional development costs. Reimbursement requests must be submitted with supporting documentation within [Number] days of the expense being incurred and are subject to the Employer's expense-reimbursement policy.
11. Termination
Either Party may terminate this Agreement at any time by providing [Number] days' written notice to the other Party. The Employer may terminate the Employee immediately and without notice for cause, which includes but is not limited to: material breach of this Agreement, gross misconduct, fraud, conviction of a felony, or persistent failure to perform duties after written warning. Upon termination, the Employee shall return all company property, documents, and Confidential Information. Any accrued but unpaid compensation and benefits owed through the termination date shall be paid in accordance with applicable law.
12. Governing Law
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of [State/Country], without regard to its conflict-of-laws principles. Any disputes arising under or relating to this Agreement shall be resolved in the courts of [Jurisdiction], and both Parties consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts.
13. Entire Agreement
This Agreement, together with any exhibits, schedules, or attachments referenced herein, constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. It supersedes all prior negotiations, representations, warranties, commitments, offers, and agreements, whether written or oral. No amendment or modification of this Agreement shall be valid unless made in writing and signed by both Parties.
14. Severability
If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect. The invalid provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid and enforceable while preserving the original intent of the Parties.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Employment Contract as of the date first written above.
Employer:
Signature: ___________________________
Name: [Authorized Signatory Name]
Title: [Title]
Date: ___________________________
Employee:
Signature: ___________________________
Name: [Employee Full Legal Name]
Date: ___________________________