Define: First point of contact

What "first point of contact" means in a contract

In an employment context, first point of contact means the initial location where an employee commences work during a working day. Rather than describing a person to call, this definition anchors the working day to a place. It is used to determine when paid time begins, whether a journey to a site counts as work or as ordinary commuting, and where the employee is expected to present themselves at the start of a shift. Defining it removes uncertainty for roles that move between sites or start away from a fixed office.

How the term is defined and measured

The definition usually identifies a physical location, a category of location, or a rule for choosing one, for example the first client site attended on a given day. It is measured against the working pattern set out elsewhere in the agreement, so the two must align. Where an employee travels between assignments, the clause often distinguishes the journey to the first point of contact, which may be unpaid, from travel between points during the day, which is typically working time. Clarity on this boundary is what makes the term useful.

Where the term appears

First point of contact commonly appears in an employee handbook and in role specific documents such as a statement of work that fixes where and when duties are performed. It also matters in return to work and attendance procedures, where the starting location affects records of hours. The term is most significant for field based, mobile, or multi site roles rather than for staff who attend one fixed workplace.

Why the exact wording matters

The wording carries direct cost and compliance consequences. Where the working day starts affects pay, working time limits, and expense entitlements, so an unclear definition can create disputes about unpaid travel or under recorded hours. A precise clause should:

• State how the first point of contact is identified when it changes from day to day.
• Make clear whether travel to that point is working time or the employee's own time.
• Align with the definitions of working hours, place of work, and expenses used elsewhere.
• Explain how attendance and start times are recorded against the defined point.

Drafting considerations

Draft the definition around the reality of the role. For a mobile workforce, a rule that selects the location works better than naming a single site. Ensure the policy is internally consistent, because a mismatch between this term and the working hours clause is a frequent source of grievance. Involving the HR function helps confirm the definition reflects actual practice and record keeping. Since entitlements such as working time and pay are set by the law governing the contract, avoid stating fixed thresholds and instead refer to those requirements while keeping the location definition clear and self contained.