An Employment Contract sets out the legal agreement between an employer and employee in Ireland, spelling out their rights, responsibilities, and working conditions. It covers essential details like pay, work hours, leave entitlements, and job duties - all while following Irish employment law requirements under the Terms of Employment (Information) Acts.

Every Irish employer must provide this written statement of terms within the first two months of employment. The contract protects both parties by clearly defining expectations, benefits, and grounds for ending the working relationship. It's particularly important for addressing specific arrangements like probation periods, confidentiality clauses, and any unique workplace policies.

Every time you hire someone in Ireland, you need an Employment Contract from day one. This becomes especially important when bringing on permanent staff, fixed-term workers, or establishing new roles within your organization. Irish law requires employers to provide written terms within two months, but having a contract ready at the start prevents misunderstandings and legal issues.

Use this contract when defining specialized work arrangements like hybrid schedules, shift patterns, or performance-based pay structures. It's particularly vital for roles involving sensitive information, intellectual property, or customer relationships where you need clear confidentiality and non-compete provisions. Having these terms documented protects both employer and employee if disagreements arise later.

• Registered Employment Agreement: Used for industry-wide standards, registered with the Labour Court and legally binding across specific sectors
• Employment Agreement: Standard permanent employee contract covering basic terms, duties, and benefits
• Work Contract Agreement: Detailed contract for specialized roles with specific performance metrics and responsibilities
• Job Contract Agreement: Fixed-term or project-based contract with defined end dates and deliverables
• Employee Employment Agreement: Comprehensive contract for senior positions including executive benefits and restrictive covenants

• Employers: Create and issue Employment Contracts, ensuring they comply with Irish employment law and their organization's policies
• HR Managers: Draft, customize, and maintain contracts, handle negotiations, and ensure terms align with company standards
• Legal Teams: Review contract terms, ensure compliance with Irish legislation, and advise on specific clauses or conditions
• Employees: Review, negotiate, and agree to contract terms before starting work, becoming legally bound by its provisions
• Trade Unions: Negotiate collective terms, review contracts on behalf of members, and ensure fairness in employment conditions
• WRC Officials: Enforce contract compliance and resolve disputes between employers and employees when issues arise

• Employee Details: Collect full name, address, PPS number, and start date for the position
• Role Specifics: Define job title, responsibilities, reporting structure, and work location arrangements
• Compensation Package: Document salary, bonus structure, benefits, pension contributions, and payment intervals
• Working Hours: Specify standard hours, overtime policy, break entitlements, and flexible working arrangements
• Leave Entitlements: Detail annual leave, public holidays, sick leave, and other time-off policies
• Special Terms: Include any probation period, confidentiality requirements, or non-compete clauses
• Template Selection: Use our platform to generate a legally-compliant Irish Employment Contract that includes all mandatory elements

• Parties' Details: Full legal names and addresses of both employer and employee
• Job Information: Title, duties, workplace location, and start date as required by Terms of Employment Act
• Remuneration Terms: Salary, payment intervals, overtime rates, and any performance-related pay
• Working Time: Normal hours, rest periods, and annual leave entitlements under Working Time Act
• Notice Periods: Required notice for termination from both parties
• Grievance Procedures: Clear process for handling workplace disputes
• Data Protection: GDPR compliance clauses for handling personal information
• Confidentiality: Protection of company information and trade secrets
• Governing Law: Statement confirming Irish law applies to the agreement

An Employment Contract differs significantly from an Employment Offer Letter, though they're often confused in Irish workplaces. While both documents relate to hiring, they serve distinct purposes and have different legal weights.

• Legal Status: Employment Contracts are comprehensive, legally binding agreements that outline the complete employment relationship. Offer letters are preliminary documents that propose employment terms but don't constitute a full contract.
• Timing and Use: Offer letters come first during recruitment, presenting initial terms to candidates. The Employment Contract follows after acceptance, providing detailed terms required by Irish law.
• Content Depth: Employment Contracts include mandatory elements like grievance procedures, working time provisions, and detailed terms required by Irish employment law. Offer letters typically only cover basic terms like salary and start date.
• Enforceability: Employment Contracts provide full legal protection for both parties under Irish employment legislation. Offer letters mainly serve as preliminary agreements and aren't sufficient for long-term employment relationships.