If you receive wages as an employee and are employed by an employer, you have an employment contract. An employment contract contains the individual agreements that you and your employer have made and that you and your employer must comply with. This can be done in writing or orally, but it is advisable to have your employment contract recorded in writing. This way you prevent any discussions or conflicts about agreements made.
Fixed parts of an employment contract
Items that must be included as standard in an employment contract are:
- The name and place of residence of you and your employer;
- The place where you work;
- The position and type of work you do;
- The date of employment;
- The duration of the contract (only applicable for a temporary contract);
- How many hours you work per day / week;
- The amount of your salary and when it will be paid;
- The length of your probationary period (if any);
- The number of vacation days you are entitled to;
- The amount of your holiday allowance;
- The duration of the notice period;
- Your pension scheme (possibly);
- Your non-competition clause (possibly);
- Your collective labor agreement (CLA) (possibly).
The conditions of an employment contract
Whether or not you have an employment contract is determined on the basis of a number of conditions. These conditions are as follows:
- You are employed by an employer and this employer gives you work assignments;
- You are paid for the work you do - often this is money, but in some cases it is (partially) paid in meals, 'room and board', shares or commissions.
- You perform the work for which you were hired.