If you are entering into an employment contract do you know what should be included? If you are an employer and using an old contract, should it be reviewed first? Contracts should be individually structured to meet the needs of those involved and in reality both employer and employee should seek legal assistance first before offering or accepting an employment contract.

​This article is intended to provide a starting point only and attempts to clarify some of the important information all parties should know.

It's important for all businesses to have systems in place to determine whether workers should be classified as employees or independent contractors, as tax, super and other government obligations are different depending on whether the working arrangement is employment or contracting.

​Employees generally have PAYG withholding, super and fringe benefits tax paid by the employer. Contractors generally look after their own tax obligations.
 
If you get it wrong and fail to meet your obligations, you risk having to pay penalties and charges.

​​Employers can easily fall into dispute with their employees by failing to properly handle redundancies. There is often uncertainty surrounding redundancy, in terms of handling it within the law, as well as cost.

​Redundancy commonly occurs when a business is sold and a new owner offers jobs to the vendor's existing workforce. Some employees decline the offer of employment by the new owner. In this context, an issue can arise as to whether or not redundancy payments need to be made to an employee who rejects an offer of employment by the new owner.