What must be included in written statements

Anyone legally classed as an employee or worker has the right to a ‘written statement of employment particulars’, if they started the job after 6 April 2020.

A written statement summarises the main terms of employment, such as pay and working hours.

Many people think this document is the employment contract, but legally the contract is much broader than the written statement.

Employers must provide a written statement on or before the person’s first day of work no matter how long the person is employed for.

The following must all be included in the principal statement:

  • the employer’s name;

  • the employee or worker’s name;

  • the start date (the day the employee or worker starts work);

  • the date that ‘continuous employment’ (working for the same employer without a significant break) started for an employee;

  • job title or a brief description of the job;

  • the employer’s address;

  • the places or addresses where the employee or worker will work;

  • pay, including how often and when (for example, £1,000 per month, paid on the last Friday of the calendar month);

  • working hours, including which days the employee or worker must work and if and how their hours or days can change;

  • holiday and holiday pay, including an explanation of how it’s calculated if the employee or worker leaves;

  • the amount of sick leave and pay (if this information is not included in the document, the employer must state where to find it);

  • any other paid leave (if this information is not included in the document, the employer must state where to find it);

  • any other benefits, including non-contractual benefits such as childcare vouchers or company car schemes;

  • the notice period either side must give when employment ends;

  • how long the job is expected to last (if it’s temporary or fixed term);

  • any probation period, including its conditions and how long it is;

  • if the employee will work abroad and any terms that apply;

  • training that must be completed by the employee or worker, including training the employer does not pay for.

Further information

Acas https://www.acas.org.uk/what-must-be-written-in-an-employment-contract