Obtaining a Fair Work Employment Contract Template is easy and free. But is it in the long run? There are a number of factors that might make you think twice about using one for your next hire.
An employment contract (or an employment agreement) is an agreement between an employer and an employee that sets out terms and conditions of employment (written or unwritten). Although every employment contract is unique, there are crucial elements that should be included in a contract, regardless of your company size or industry. Despite the rumours, small business employers are subject to many of the same risks as larger employers. The difference is, the impact of these risks on smaller businesses is much larger.
There are some free employment contract templates available online, including the Fair Work employment contract template. But, given that the Fair Work Ombudsman is all about resolving issues for employees, maybe you, as the employer, are better off looking elsewhere.
Very basic templates and free templates (including the Fair Work Employment Contract Template) often outline the basic terms and conditions of employment only, including:
- Name and personal details of the employer and employee;
- The commencement date of employment;
- Job title and description;
- Number of hours worked per week;
- Type of employment (i.e. full-time, part-time or casual);
- Leave entitlements;
- Amount of notice required to be given by the employer and employee to end the employment relationship;
- Very basic confidentiality terms.
Newbi employment contracts, however, are not limited to the basic terms and conditions of employment and include many more protections for the employer, including being far more detailed. They have the added security of:
- protecting your clientele and intellectual property from employees who leave your business or your competitors;
- protecting your business’ confidential information by prohibiting employees from inappropriately using or discussing company secrets, business strategies and plans, product information, and more;
- employee conduct expectations;
- employee warranties;
- post-employment restraints to protect the legitimate commercial interests of the business (optional);
- overall they are much more detailed;
- they do not include pro-employee clauses such as how they can make a complaint about you or your business.
Employment contracts are an investment in your business, much like insurance. Without a well-drafted contract in place, the rights and obligations of both parties can be misunderstood which can potentially put your business at risk.
While Fair Work employment contracts can provide you with the legal minimums required in an employment contract, they are heavily skewed towards highlighting employee rights over employer rights. Disputes can be very costly, and sometimes even lethal for a business that hasn’t protected itself. So investing in a proper legally endorsed contract from an employment specialist is highly recommended.
Newbi removes the hassle and cost associated with protecting your business from employee-related disputes. Many small business owners understand the risk of employing someone with only a handshake deal, but simply don’t have access to legally compliant and affordable employment agreements. Newbi employment agreements are comprehensive documents that are endorsed by leading Australian employment lawyers. They are an affordable solution without compromising on quality so that you get maximum protection at a fraction of the cost. Protect your business and avoid free templates.
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