Basic requirements of employment contracts
Inclusions to be made in a basic employment agreement.
MBOMBELA – Employment contracts should contain certain clauses to protect both the employer and the employee.
There are a few fundamental points that must be taken into account when the contract of employment is signed.
Firstly, it is important to identify the contracting parties with their names, addresses and identity numbers.
Commencement of the contract may be set out hereafter – be clear about the date that the contract commences on as well as whether a provisional period of employment is applicable or not.
The employee’s job description should be thorough. Be sure to list the duties that are expected from the employee.
Normal working hours should be set out in a separate clause, making provision for a lunch hour. Overtime, other intervals and possible standby-duties as well as extended working hours will be discussed in this clause.
Wages or salaries are to be clearly set out. Specify whether the employee will be paid in cash, via an EFT or otherwise, whether the employee will be entitled to transport allowance and whether any deductions are agreed upon.
The termination clause must be worded clearly. Normally, a month’s notice of termination may be given by either party. Should a three month trial period be agreed upon, a notice period of 24 hours will be sufficient.
A standard three weeks’ paid leave after every 12 months of continuous service is granted to employees. This may be subject to negotiation.
Employees are entitled to the amount of days’ sick leave that the employee would have worked during six normal working weeks in every 36 week period.
For a more comprehensive guide on basic employment agreements, be sure to consult the next print edition of Nelspruit Post.
