Contract of Employment
A contract of employment sets out the terms on which an employee works for an employer: pay, hours, duties, leave and notice. Use it when hiring an employee in Ireland. The employer must give the employee five core terms in writing within five days of starting and a full written statement of terms within one month (Terms of Employment (Information) Act 1994, as amended); minimum notice, working time, sick leave and minimum wage rules apply whatever the contract says.
Contract of Employment
CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made on [date]
BETWEEN
Employer: [company name and registered number], of [address] ("the Employer")
AND
Employee: [full name], of [address] ("the Employee")
1. JOB TITLE AND DUTIES
The Employee is employed as [job title]. The Employee's main duties are [description]. The Employee shall carry out such other reasonable duties as the Employer may require.
2. COMMENCEMENT
Employment begins on [start date]. [Continuous previous service does / does not count.] The first [X] months are a probationary period.
3. PLACE OF WORK
The normal place of work is [address]. [The role may involve travel / remote work as agreed.]
4. HOURS OF WORK
Normal working hours are [X] hours per week, worked [pattern]. Working time is subject to the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997, including rest breaks and annual leave.
5. REMUNERATION
The salary is EUR [amount] per [year/hour], paid [monthly] in arrears by bank transfer, subject to lawful deductions. Pay shall not be less than the applicable rate under the National Minimum Wage Act 2000. Payment of wages is governed by the Payment of Wages Act 1991.
6. ANNUAL LEAVE AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
The Employee is entitled to [X] days of paid annual leave per year and to public holidays in accordance with the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997.
7. SICK LEAVE
Sick leave and any sick pay are dealt with as follows: [policy], subject to the Employee's statutory entitlements.
8. NOTICE
After the probationary period, either party may end the employment by giving written notice. The minimum notice the Employer must give is that set out in the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Act 1973, which increases with length of service. The Employee shall give at least [X] weeks' notice.
9. CONFIDENTIALITY
The Employee shall keep the Employer's confidential information private during and after employment.
10. GENERAL
This contract is governed by the law of Ireland. A separate written statement of core terms will be provided as required by law.
Signed by the Employer: ______________________ Date: __________
Signed by the Employee: ______________________ Date: __________
Legal basis
Frequently asked questions
Must the employer give written terms of employment?
Yes. Within five days of the start of employment the employer must give five core terms in writing: the names of the parties, the place of work, the job title or nature of the work, the expected duration if temporary, the rate of pay and the expected normal working hours. The full written statement of the remaining terms must follow within one month. This template covers both if completed and signed in time.
How long can a probation period be in Ireland?
Since December 2022 a probation period should not normally exceed six months; it may be extended to a maximum of twelve months only in exceptional circumstances where that is in the employee's interest. Statutory unfair dismissal protection generally starts after twelve months' continuous service, but some dismissals (for example for pregnancy or a protected disclosure) are unfair from day one.
How much notice is required to end employment?
The employer must give at least the statutory minimum under the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Act 1973: one week after 13 weeks' service, rising to two, four, six and eight weeks with longer service. An employee with 13 weeks' service must give at least one week. The contract can provide for longer notice, but not less than the statutory minimum.
What is the minimum wage in Ireland in 2026?
The national minimum wage for an experienced adult worker is €14.15 per hour from 1 January 2026, with lower percentages for workers under 20. Pay cannot fall below the applicable rate whatever the contract says, and the Workplace Relations Commission can award arrears. Check the current rate before completing clause 5.
Is there statutory sick pay in Ireland?
Yes. Under the Sick Leave Act 2022 an employee with at least 13 weeks' service is entitled to paid statutory sick leave, currently five days a year, paid at 70% of normal wages subject to a daily cap of €110, on production of a medical certificate. An employer's own sick pay scheme may be more generous but not less favourable overall.
How many days of annual leave does an employee get?
The statutory minimum under the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 is four working weeks a year for a full-time employee (or a lower figure calculated on hours worked), plus public holiday entitlement. Leave untaken at the end of employment must be paid out. The contract can grant more but not less.