---
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 and detailed worked examples

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
