Fixed Term Employment Contracts

Fixed term employment contracts are used when an employer wants to employ someone for a defined period, for a particular project, to cover another employee’s absence, or to work part-time for a temporary or time-limited role. These fixed term employment contract templates help employers set out the key terms of employment clearly, including job title, duties, start date, fixed term duration, notice, pay, hours, holidays, sickness absence, pension, confidentiality, data protection, disciplinary procedures and grievance arrangements.

This selection of fixed term employment contract templates is suitable for UK employers who need written contractual terms for employees engaged on a temporary, project-based, maternity cover, sickness cover or part-time fixed term basis. Each template can be adapted to the role, business requirements and length of appointment.

What is a Fixed Term Employment Contract?

A fixed term employment contract is a contract of employment that lasts for a specified period or ends when a particular event occurs. This may be a stated number of months or years, the completion of a project, or the return of another employee from maternity leave, sickness absence or another period of leave.

A fixed term employee is still an employee. Employers should therefore ensure that the contract includes the required employment particulars and reflects the employee’s statutory rights, including holiday entitlement, sick pay arrangements, pension auto-enrolment, family leave rights and protection from less favourable treatment.

Fixed Term Employment Contract

The Fixed Term Employment Contract is a general-purpose fixed term contract for full-time employees. It is suitable where an employer wishes to appoint an employee for a defined period, for example six months or one year, or until a specific project has been completed.

This template includes clauses covering the fixed term, notice during the fixed term, expiry or continuation after the fixed term, job duties, working hours, place of work, pay, benefits, holidays, sickness absence, pension, disciplinary and grievance procedures, confidentiality, data protection and right to work requirements.

This contract is suitable for employers who need a straightforward fixed term employment agreement for a temporary full-time role, project-based work, seasonal cover, interim employment or a defined business need.

Fixed Term Employment Agreement with Restrictive Clauses

The Fixed Term Employment Contract with Restrictive Clauses is designed for fixed term employees who will have access to important business information, customers, suppliers, staff, confidential information or commercially sensitive material.

In addition to the standard fixed term employment terms, this template includes restrictive covenant provisions. These are intended to help protect the employer’s legitimate business interests during employment and after the employment ends. The restrictions may be relevant where the employee has a senior role, customer-facing responsibilities, access to trade secrets, influence over staff or involvement in business development.

This template is suitable where the employer needs a fixed term contract but also wants additional protection against misuse of confidential information, solicitation of customers, interference with staff or competition after termination. Restrictive clauses should be carefully tailored to the role and should go no further than is reasonably necessary to protect the business.

Fixed Term Employment Contract for Maternity and Sickness Cover

The Fixed Term Employment Contract for Maternity and Sickness Cover is specifically designed for employers who need to appoint an employee to cover another employee’s absence.

This template is suitable where the fixed term appointment is expected to end when the absent employee returns to work following maternity leave, sickness absence or another period of leave. It allows the employer to state that the contract will automatically terminate when the employee being covered returns, while also allowing for an anticipated end date where appropriate.

This contract is useful for temporary replacement roles, maternity cover, long-term sickness cover and other absence cover arrangements where the exact return date may not be known at the outset. It helps clarify the purpose of the appointment, the expected duration, notice provisions and the circumstances in which the contract will end.

Fixed Term Part-Time Employment Contract

The Fixed Term Part-Time Employment Contract is designed for employees who are employed for a fixed period but work fewer hours than a full-time employee.

This template includes clauses covering the fixed term, part-time working pattern, weekly hours, breaks, pay calculated by reference to full-time hours or hourly rate, pro-rated holiday entitlement, benefits, sickness absence, pension, disciplinary and grievance arrangements, data protection and other standard employment terms.

This contract is suitable for employers who need temporary part-time staff, project support, seasonal part-time cover, short-term administrative support, part-time maternity or sickness cover, or fixed term roles where the employee works set days or reduced hours.

Choosing the Right Fixed Term Contract Template

Use the Fixed Term Employment Contract where the role is full-time and time-limited, but no special post-employment restrictions are needed.

Use the Fixed Term Employment Agreement with Restrictive Clauses where the employee may have access to customers, confidential information, trade secrets, key staff or commercially sensitive information and the employer needs additional contractual protection.

Use the Fixed Term Employment Contract for Maternity and Sickness Cover where the purpose of the appointment is to cover another employee who is absent from work and the contract is intended to end when that employee returns.

Use the Fixed Term Part-Time Employment Contract where the employee is engaged on a fixed term basis but works part-time hours, reduced days or a defined part-time pattern.

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