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What is an employment contract?
An employment contract is an agreement issued during the hiring or renewal process that establishes the terms of the work relationship of an employee at a new organisation. Typically, if the contract is a written document, both the employee and the employer sign it to signify the agreement. Contracts usually detail the rights and responsibilities of both parties, and organisations commonly use them to help all parties involved understand their obligations throughout the term of a new hire's employment. Here are a few aspects that may be explained in a contract:
- Salary information
- Duration of employment
- Schedule
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Paid time off (PTO) policy
- Sick leave policy
- Retirement plans
- Protections
- Limitations
- Non-compete clauses
- Conflict resolution protocol
- Employment conclusion details
Typically, contracts are specific documents drafted by legal professionals to outline the binding particularities of the employment arrangement — in most cases, these particularities include specific start dates and provisions for the end of the employment. However, in some situations, the new employer may not require the employee to sign a physical contract, depending on their employment status or the form of contract they offer. Regardless of the situation, during the hiring process, it is common to discuss the terms of employment on record to ensure both parties agree on the same protections and stipulations.
Written contract
A written contract is one of the most common forms of employment contracts. Written contracts explain the specific details of the employment relationships, including the salary, schedule, employment duration, PTO policies, benefits eligibility, and more. Written contracts are popular because they can fully and legally document an employment agreement that both employers and employees explicitly sign. This means that if any discrepancies occur during the employment period, employees can return to the contract to reread it and clarify any questions or concerns that arise.
Types of employment contracts
The type of contract offered in a new role is usually determined by factors such as the employee status, the organisation's needs, and the type of work performed. Here are three types of contracts to look out for during the hiring process:
Full-time/fixed-term contract
Full-time contracts are offered to permanent employees who work a full workweek, usually 35 hours or more. These contracts usually include information about benefits, paid holidays, sick time, and retirement plans. Even further, some full-time contracts present new employees with opportunities for other benefits, like professional development opportunities or workplace perks, such as discounts on company products and services, and commuter assistance. Full-time contracts are almost always written contracts since they include many components, and employers normally want to be thorough and clear when offering such an extensive agreement.
Part-time contract
Part-time contracts are extended to employees who work a reduced number of hours compared to full-time employees. Typically, part-time contracts are offered to those who serve less than 35 hours per week and often include some of the same stipulations and protections as full-time contracts. Many part-time schedules detail the employee's flexibilities, weekly schedule, and rate of pay. However, it is important to note that part-time contracts usually do not include information regarding insurance, salary, or PTO, which are benefits typically reserved for full-time employees.
Zero-hour contract
Zero-hour contracts are offered to employees who work irregularly or only when work is available. In zero-hour agreements, an employer agrees, in writing or verbally, that they will offer work when it is available, and an employee agrees to work such shifts or remain on call for availability purposes. Zero-hour contracts commonly specify that an employee will work a minimum number of hours or shifts per month. This number is set by the employer in most cases. The employee holds the right to refuse any work assignments that may be inconvenient. This work arrangement is primarily used in the UK.
Source: 10 Types of Employment Contracts | Indeed.com
Employment in the Czech Republic
Regular employment
Employment contract for a definite period: generally, it can be concluded for a maximum of 3 years, and it is possible to prolong such a contract only twice (maximum length 3×3 years).
Employment contract for an indefinite period: an employment relationship lasts for an unlimited period unless a definite period has been expressly agreed.
Work outside employment relationship
Furthermore, an employee may perform work outside employment relationship on the grounds of two agreements:
Agreement to complete a job (dohoda o provedení práce - DPP): the scope of work for which an agreement is concluded may not exceed 300 hours in one calendar year.
The said scope of working hours shall also include those hours of work for which a certain employee carried out some work for the same employer in one calendar year based on another agreement to complete a job. The agreement must specify a period for which it is concluded.
Agreement to perform work (dohoda o pracovní činnosti - DPČ): may be concluded by an employer with an individual provided that the scope of such work does not exceed 300 hours in one calendar year.
Where the average scope of work exceeds one-half of standard weekly working hours (20 hours), it may not be carried out on the basis of an agreement to perform work.
Observance of the agreed and maximum permissible scope of one-half of standard weekly working hours will be assessed for the entire period for which an agreement to perform work was concluded; however, for no more than a period of 52 weeks.
An agreement to perform work must include the agreed type of work, the agreed scope of working hours and the period for which it is concluded.
Probationary period
In Czech employment contracts, the probationary period can be concluded as:
- Maximum three consecutive months for regular employees
- Maximum six consecutive months for managers
A probationary period may not be longer than one half of the agreed period of the employment relationship and must be agreed in writing on the day of commencement of employment at the latest.
Benefits
The most common benefits for employees in the Czech Republic are:
- bonuses in terms of financial rewards
- professional training
- language courses and personal development
- the option to work from home
- additional days off (extra holidays, study leave, sick days)
- discounts on company products
- flexible working hours
- meal vouchers
- company phone
- company car or transport allowance
- insurance contributions
- sports and recreation contributions
- refreshments and beverages at workplace
Certain companies also offer temporary accommodation or housing allowances, recreation in the company’s facilities or holiday allowances, or free tickets by companies operating regular public transportation.
Sources
Drag and drop exercise:
What type of contract would be the most suitable for the following jobs? Put the jobs in the appropriate categories.
Full-time contract | Agreement to perform work (DPČ) | Agreement to complete a job (DPP) |
---|---|---|
Glossary
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Seznam použitých symbolů a zkratek
↻ uvozuje slovo nebo frázi se stejným nebo podobným významem (synonymum) 📖 uvozuje slovo nebo frázi s opačným významem (antonymum), případně podobně znějící výraz s odlišným významem [ ] obsahuje přepis výslovnosti ( ) obsahuje vysvětlení (například zkratky nebo zpřesnění významu), doplnění nebo část výrazu či slova, která může být v závislosti na kontextu vynechána i upozorňuje na nepravidelné (irregular) sloveso vyšší než mírně pokročilé úrovně a tím zároveň odkazuje na seznam těchto nepravidelných sloves na konci glosáře / zkracuje dvě (nebo i více) stejné syntaktické konstrukce do jediné (například „dosáhnout/docílit čeho“ místo „dosáhnout čeho, docílit čeho“) adj přídavné jméno (adjective) AmE výraz z americké angličtiny (American English) BrE výraz z britské angličtiny (British English) C počitatelné podstatné jméno (countable) n podstatné jméno (noun) pl množné číslo (plural) sb zájmeno někdo, uváděné po předložkách a/nebo slovesných vazbách (somebody) sg jednotné číslo (singular) sth zájmeno něco, uváděné po předložkách a/nebo slovesných vazbách (something) U nepočitatelné podstatné jméno (uncountable) -
Glossary
accountable ‹adj› (z)odpovědný acquisition ‹n› získání; osvojení si to arise nastat, vzniknout, naskytnout se to assess sth (o)hodnotit, vyhodnotit; stanovit co autonomous ‹adj› [ɔːˈtɒnəməs] autonomní, nezávislý availability ‹n› dostupnost benefits ‹n, pl› zde: zaměstnanecké výhody/benefity beverage ‹n› [ˈbevərɪdʒ] nápoj binding ‹adj› závazný to clarify sth objasnit, vyjasnit co commencement ‹n› začátek, zahájení; vznik to commute
commuter assistance ‹n›dojíždět (do práce) příspěvky na dopravu (od zaměstnavatele) concern ‹n› obava, znepokojení to conduct sth vést; provádět co conflict resolution protocol protokol řešení konfliktů consecutive ‹adj› po sobě jdoucí, za sebou contracting party ‹n› smluvní strana core ‹adj› podstatný definite ‹adj› určitý dental insurance ‹n› pojištění na zubní ošetření /zubní péči to determine sth [dɪˈtɜːmɪn] určit, stanovit co disciplinary ‹adj›
disciplinary actiondisciplinární, kárný disciplinární, kárné řízení discount ‹n› sleva discrepancy ‹n› rozpor, nesrovnalost, neshoda to document sth dokumentovat, doložit co to draft sth načrtnout co, navrhnout koncept duration ‹n› délka, trvání, doba eligibility ‹n› [elɪdʒəˈbɪləti] oprávněnost, způsobilost employee card ‹n› zaměstnanecká karta employee retention ‹n› udržení zaměstnanců employee turnover ‹n› fluktuace zaměstnanců employer ‹n› zaměstnavatel employment status ‹n› zaměstnanecký status, pracovní zařazení engagement ‹n› zapojení se, angažování se to ensure sth zajistit/zaručit co to equip with sth [ɪˈkwɪp] vybavit/vyzbrojit čím to establish sth založit co to exceed sth [ɪkˈsiːd] přesáhnout, převýšit, překonat co to execute sth [eksɪkjuːt] provést, uskutečnit, vykonat co explicitly explicitně, přímo to extend sth to sb zde: nabídnout co komu feedback ‹n, U› zpětná vazba flexibility ‹n› flexibilita, pružnost freelance ‹adj› pracující na volné noze, nezávislý freelancer ‹n› osoba pracující na volné noze, nezávislý pracovník grads ‹ pl, infml› AmE absolventi (univerzity) headcount ‹n› počet zaměstnanců hire ‹n› AmE nový zaměstnanec to hire sb nabrat/přijmout (zaměstnance) holiday allowances ‹pl› příspěvky na dovolenou housing allowances ‹pl› příspěvky na bydlení to implement sth zde: zavést indefinite ‹adj› neurčitý insurance contributions ‹pl› příspěvky na pojištění inconvenient ‹adj› nevhodný in writing písemně to issue sth vydat co limitation ‹n› omezení meal voucher ‹n› stravenka medical insurance ‹n› zdravotní pojištění morale ‹n› [məˈrɑːl] morálka, nálada mutual ‹adj› [ˈmjuːtʃuəl] vzájemný, oboustranný non-compete clause ‹n› konkurenční doložka notice of dismissal ‹n› oznámení o výpovědi (o ukončení pracovního poměru) notice period ‹n› výpovědní lhůta obligations ‹pl› povinnosti observance ‹n› [əbˈzɜːvəns] dodržování (předpisu) to occur stát se, nastat, přihodit se; vyskytovat se on call
to be on callbýt dostupný na telefonu on record oficiálně/písemně zaznamenáno on the grounds of sth na základě čeho onboarding ‹n› nástup a adaptace (nového zaměstnance) on-site ‹adj› na místě; zde: na pracovišti to outline sth nastínit, načrtnout sth to oversee sth dohlížet na co paid time off placená dovolená particularities ‹pl› detaily, podrobnosti, specifikace party ‹n› (smluvní) strana (zde: zaměstnavatel nebo zaměstnanec) payroll ‹n› seznam vyplácených zaměstnanců; výplatní listina perks ‹n, pl› zaměstnanecké výhody permanent ‹adj› trvalý; zde: (smlouva)na dobu neurčitou permissible ‹adj› dovolený, přípustný permit ‹n›
employment permitpovolení pracovní povolení policy ‹n› politika to present sb with sth představit komu co probationary
→probationary period
[prəˈbeɪʃnri]zkušební; zkušební doba to process [ˈprəʊses] zpracovávat, zpracovat professional training ‹n› odborný výcvik, zaškolení to prolong
→to extend sthprodloužit co (zde: smlouvu) to promote sth zde: podporovat protection ‹n› ochrana provision ‹n› ustanovení, podmínka; opatření rate of pay ‹n› platové ohodnocení recreation contributions příspěvky na rekreaci regarding sth týkající se, vztahující se k čemu remote work ‹n›
→ work from homepráce z domu, home office remuneration ‹n› odměna, plat, (platové) ohodnocení renewal ‹n› obnovení (smlouvy) to require sth vyžadovat co responsibility ‹n› zodpovědnost retirement ‹n› důchod, penze reward ‹n› odměna salary ‹n› plat schedule ‹n›
BrE [ˈʃedjuːl]
AmE [ˈskedʒuːl]harmonogram, (časový) plán, rozpis (práce) scope ‹n› rozsah seasonal ‹adj›
seasonal workersezónní sezónní pracovník shift ‹n› směna (pracovní) to shift sth změnit; posunout co sick day ‹n› pracovní den, kdy je zaměstnance nepřítomen na pracovišti kvůli nemoci sick leave ‹n› nemocenská dovolená, pracovní neschopnost to sign sth podepsat co to signify sth potvrdit, stvrdit sth stipulation ‹n› podmínka, požadavek study leave ‹n› studijní volno technology stack soubor informačních technologií temporary ‹adj› dočasný, přechodný; zde: (smlouva) na dobu určitou term ‹n› doba, období terms ‹n, usually pl› (smluvní) podmínky, požadavky test pilot ‹n› pilotní testování (za účelem ověření proveditelnosti) thorough ‹adj›
[ˈθʌrə]důkladný, podrobný; úplný trade ‹n› zde: obor; řemeslo transport allowance ‹n› příspěvek na dopravu verbally ústně work assignment ‹n› pracovní úkol work hours ‹n, pl›
→working hourspracovní doba workweek AmE
→working week BrEpracovní týden
Definitions
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Employment contracts
arise to start to happen or exist availability having free time to do something benefits advantages such as medical insurance, life insurance, and sick pay, that employees receive from their employer in addition to money binding that cannot be legally avoided or stopped clarify to make something clear or easier to understand by giving more details or a simpler explanation commuter assistance financial incentives that allow employees to cover work related travel expenses concern a worry or nervous feeling about something conclusion the act of arranging or agreeing something formally conflict resolution protocol a set of procedures that guide employees on the steps to take when they arrive at disagreements in the workplace consecutive following one after another without an interruption dental insurance insurance that pays for treatment by a dentist determine to control or influence something directly discrepancy a difference between two figures, results, etc. that are expected to be the same document to record the details of an event or a process draft to write the first version of a document such as a letter, essay, or law duration the length of time that something lasts eligibility the fact of being allowed to do or receive something through satisfaction of the appropriate conditions employer a person or organisation that employs people employment status the rights and protections that employees are entitled to at work ensure to make something certain to happen establish to start something that will last for a long time expressly in a way that is clear extend to sb to offer or give something to someone flexibility the ability to change or be changed easily according to the situation hire a person to whom a company has recently given a job (mainly AmE) hire the act of starting to employ someone issue to produce or provide something official limitation a fact or situation that allows only some actions and makes others impossible medical insurance payment for the cost of health care (illnesses, injuries) non-compete clause a legally binding contract in which the employee agrees not to work with a rival company or start a similar trade or profession for a specified period of time after leaving their current employer obligations things that must be done or paid because of a law, rule, agreement, etc. occur to exist or be present in, among on call / to be on call to be available for work if necessary on record written down officially outline to give the main facts about something paid time off a period of time employees get paid during their absence particularities details party one of the people or groups of people involved in an official argument, arrangement, or similar situation perks an advantage or something extra employees are given in addition to a salary permanent lasting for a long time or for ever policy a plan of action agreed or chosen by a political party, a business, etc. present sb with sth to give, provide, or make something known protection a legal or other formal measure intended to preserve employees’ rights provision a condition or an arrangement in a legal document rate of pay the amount of money that is paid over a period regarding in relation to; about renewal the act of making an official document, agreement, or rule continue for more time require to order someone to do something, esp. because of a rule or law responsibility a job or duty to be dealt with retirement the act of leaving one’s job and stopping working, usually because of age salary a fixed amount of money agreed as pay for an employee, usually paid directly into their bank account every month schedule a list of planned activities or things to be done showing the times or dates when they are intended to happen or be done shift the period that a person is scheduled to work sick leave a period of time that a worker is allowed to be away from work because they are ill sign to write one’s name, usually on a written or printed document, to show agreement with its contents signify to make something known; to show stipulation a rule that must be followed or something that must be done term the period of time that a legal agreement lasts for terms the conditions that control an agreement, arrangement, or activity thorough detailed and careful work assignment the collection of job duties that the employee is expected to perform -
Employment in the Czech Republic
assess to evaluate or estimate the nature, ability, or quality of something beverage a drink of any type commencement the beginning of something consecutive following one after another without an interruption definite fixed, certain, or clear discount a reduction in the usual price exceed to be greater than a number or amount, or to go past an allowed limit holiday allowances a number of paid days off or vacation days that an employee is entitled to receive from their employer during a specified period, typically a year housing allowances a financial benefit provided by an employer to assist an employee in covering housing-related expenses, such as rent or mortgage payments indefinite not exact, not clear, or without clear limits insurance contributions the payments made towards national insurance, usually taken from the salary by an employer before the salary is paid to the person meal voucher a means of payment for meals or food observance the practice of obeying a law on the grounds of based on, for the reason permissible acceptable according to the law or a particular set of rules probationary period a trial period at the start of employment during which the employer evaluates the employee's performance before confirming their permanent status professional training building knowledge, skills and competence in individuals, a group or team prolong to make something last a longer time recreation contributions payments provided by an employer that promote leisure, entertainment, and physical or mental well-being reward something given in exchange for good behaviour or good work scope the range of things that an activity, company, law, etc. deals with sick day a paid day in which an employee does not work because they are sick study leave time off from work to complete education temporary not lasting or permanent transport allowance a financial fringe benefit provided by the employer which is used by an employee to purchase transportation services for commuting to the workplace work from home remote work, i.e., the practice of performing work remotely, typically from one's residence or any other location outside of a traditional office setting - Listening
accountable responsible for and having to explain your actions acquisition the process of getting something autonomous independent and having the power to make your own decisions commute to make the same journey regularly between work and home engagement the process of encouraging people to be interested in the work of an organisation equip with to provide a person or a place with objects that are necessary for a particular purpose feedback information or statements of opinion about something grads (infml) graduates of a particular school, college implement to start using a plan or system morale the level of satisfaction felt by a person or group of people who work together on-site existing or happening in the place where people are working or involved in a particular activity pilot testing is used to test how good something is before introducing it remote work a type of flexible working arrangement that allows an employee to work from remote location outside of corporate offices shift to change trade a particular business or industry - Video
conduct to organise and/or do a particular activity disciplinary action a method for dealing with a worker who causes problems or does not obey company rules employee retention an organisation's ability to prevent employee turnover employee turnover the total number of workers who leave a company over a certain time period execute perform a duty, put a plan into action onboarding the process of ensuring a new employee or customer becomes familiar with an organisation or its products or services oversee to watch somebody/something and make sure that a job or an activity is done correctly payroll a list of people employed by a company showing the amount of money to be paid to each of them; the total amount of money paid to the employees of a particular company process to deal officially with a document, request promote to encourage people to like, buy, use, do, or support something - Listening