With our employment contract template, you can create new contracts easily, clearly, and legally binding. The template guides you through all the important content from the start of the contract to the compensation. This way, you can manage employment clearly and save valuable time in your daily routine.
Note: This sample employment contract is a non-binding template and does not replace legal advice. Please review the template carefully before use and have the contract checked by a qualified professional, such as a lawyer, before signing.
Employment contract template – The essentials at a glance
- A sample employment contract is a template for quickly creating legally valid employment contracts. It includes all the important sections and helps ensure that no relevant points are overlooked.
- The employment contract template is suitable for both permanent and fixed-term positions in clearly defined employment relationships. It can be filled out online and tailored to the specific situation.
- With Skribble, you can sign the completed employment contract directly in your browser, even together with external parties. Depending on the type of contract, choose the appropriate e-signature.
- All signatures with Skribble are documented in a traceable manner and stored in a data protection compliant way. Processing takes place exclusively in Switzerland and Germany, without access by US services.
What is a sample employment contract and when is it worth using?
A sample employment contract is a pre-made template for creating an employment agreement. It includes all the typical sections that need to be addressed when starting a new job, from specifying the parties involved to termination notice periods. Such a template provides a clear structure and helps ensure that nothing important is overlooked. However, it does not replace legal advice and should be tailored to the specific case.
Using a template when onboarding new employees reduces the effort required for contract creation. It is suitable for both permanent contracts and fixed-term employment, provided that legal requirements are met. Smaller businesses or start-ups also use a template to quickly create contracts without having to rephrase every detail.
In which cases is it worth using a template for an employment contract?
- when hiring a person for the first time
- for simple, non-tariff-bound employment relationships
- when multiple comparable contracts are to be concluded
- to relieve HR teams from recurring tasks
What content must an employment contract include?
An employment contract must be clear, understandable, and complete. Certain details are legally mandated, while others can be added depending on the employment relationship. It is important to use unambiguous language to avoid any room for misinterpretation.
What information about the start of the employment relationship should be included in an employment contract?
At the beginning, you'll find the essential information about the employment relationship. This information provides clarity regarding the contracting parties and the start of employment.
- Names and addresses of the contracting parties
- Start date of employment
- Type of employment contract, for example, permanent or fixed-term
- Regulations on probation period and duration
How are job duties, working hours, and workplace regulated in the employment contract?
In this section, you describe which tasks will be undertaken and under what conditions the work will be performed. Clear wording keeps expectations clear.
- Short description of the activity
- Work location or note on changing deployment locations
- Agreed working hours
- Regulations on overtime, if applicable
The compensation should be presented transparently and understandably. A separate presentation of the components provides clarity.
- Salary amount
- Payout date
- Additional services such as special payments
- Distinction between mandatory and voluntary benefits
What other regulations are common?
Additional provisions complement the contract and relate to daily work as well as the termination of the employment relationship. Clear and understandable wording is also important here.
- Leave and sick notification
- Secondary activities
- Confidentiality
- Termination and deadlines
How do you properly customize the employment contract template?
A sample employment contract provides a clear structure but does not replace a content review. Customize the employment contract template step by step for each specific case to ensure that all agreements are documented clearly and legally binding.
How do you approach customizing a template for an employment contract?
- Fill out all placeholders completely, such as the start date, duration, and type of employment.
- Check the job description, working hours, and compensation for clear wording.
- Remove clauses that do not apply to your situation instead of adopting them unchanged.
- Only add regulations that you actually want to implement in your daily work.
Typical stumbling blocks often arise with additional clauses. Voluntary services, repayment obligations, or special regulations should be clearly distinguished from one another. Ambiguous wording can quickly lead to areas of interpretation, which may later result in conflicts.
Note: In special situations such as fixed-term contracts, part-time models, or variable workplaces, a brief professional review is advisable. This ensures that the employment contract form aligns with the actual arrangement and that no legal risks arise.
Can an employment contract be signed electronically?
Yes, an employment contract can generally be signed electronically in Switzerland. The principle of so-called freedom of form applies; the signature can be made on paper, via mouse, or via <HTML_0>smartphone</HTML_1>, provided both parties agree.
Which e-signature is allowed?
For a permanent employment contract, a smiple electronic signature (SES) is sufficient. However, for better proof, an advanced or qualified electronic signature is more suitable.
Fixed-term employment contracts in Switzerland are generally not subject to a written form requirement. Therefore, the term can be effectively agreed upon without a handwritten signature or a qualified electronic signature. The qualified electronic signature can be used voluntarily to enhance traceability and evidential value, but it is not mandatory.
Free guide:
The evidential value of electronic signatures compared: here's how simple, advanced, and qualified e-signatures differ
What are the benefits of electronic signatures?
With the e-signature, you save time, postage, and paper. An employment contract can be signed digitally in about 3 minutes, compared to around 30 minutes for a paper signature. With Skribble, you get all three signature standards in one tool, including hosting in Switzerland or Germany, as well as identity verification for the QES.
The e-signature is a huge time saver for us: candidates become part of the company within hours.
Jasmine Issever, HR specialist, Halter
What do you need to consider to sign employment contracts legally?
- Contracts without a form requirement can be signed electronically.
- Non-compete agreements require QES
- With Skribble, you get all the necessary signature standards in one solution.
Sign employment contracts digitally now, without paper.
How do you sign the employment contract template with Skribble?
Once you have filled out your template, you can sign the employment contract with just a few clicks. There's no need to install any software. Everything works directly in the browser. The other party also does not need to create an account with us.
The process is simple, fast, and <HTML_0>legally binding</HTML_1>:
- Upload the completed employment contract template as PDF.
- Choose the appropriate e-signature
- Place the signature fields and add attachments if necessary.
- Invite your contract partners via email
- Sign directly on your laptop or smartphone.
I don't remember the last time I held a pen in the office. From employment contracts to reference letters – we only sign digitally now. I can't imagine an HR routine without e-signatures anymore.
Daniel Joost, Head of HR Consulting & Recruitment, Wincasa
The benefits of e-signatures for employment contracts
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Quick contract completion
An employment contract is signed with Skribble in about 3 minutes, instead of approximately 30 minutes with a paper signature, saving 27 minutes per document.
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Noticeable cost savings
For each signature, companies save an average of around CHF 20 to 34, as shipping, materials, and manual archiving are eliminated.
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Legally valid without extra effort
External parties can sign without their own account, while Skribble provides SES, AES, and QES in one tool, with hosting in Switzerland and Germany.
Conclusion: Use employment contract templates securely and sign with Skribble
A completed employment contract template is the first step. Only the legally binding electronic signature makes the contract enforceable. Skribble supports this with clearly structured processes, an easy-to-understand interface, and the appropriate e-signature depending on the type of contract.
Regardless of whether you are arranging a permanent employment contract or agreeing on a fixed term, choose the appropriate signature standard with Skribble right before sending the document. The qualified electronic signature (QES) can be completed entirely online, without any additional software or special hardware.
Skribble hosts your data in Switzerland and Germany and is regularly rated as the best e-signature software by OMR. This makes the service suitable for employment contracts with high legal and organizational requirements.
Sign employment contracts securely and quickly
Sample employment contract – frequently asked questions and answers
An employment contract must clearly specify the parties involved, the start of the employment relationship, the job role, working hours, and compensation. This information ensures that rights and obligations are clearly defined. Additionally, details regarding vacation, notice periods, and the workplace should be included so that both parties understand the applicable conditions.
Yes, employment contracts can be electronically signed in many cases. The requirement is that no statutory special form is mandated. For indefinite employment contracts, an electronic signature is generally sufficient to conclude the contract legally.
With an electronic signature, you can sign an employment contract in about 3 minutes instead of around 30 minutes with handwritten signatures. The entire process from sending to returning the signed document is significantly shortened. This saves you an average of 27 minutes of processing time per contract.
Employment contracts are stored at Skribble in data centers in Switzerland and Germany. This keeps the contract data within Europe and subject to European data protection standards. This is especially important for personnel records.
Yes, you can use the employment contract template for free and fill it out. You can prepare and review the contract first without committing right away. For signing, you can test Skribble for 14 days free of charge and use all common signature standards.
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