Looking for the perfect employment contracts template? When you’re hiring employees, whether it’s your first or your fiftieth, it’s tempting to download a ready-made employment contract and get on with it. But while cookie-cutter contracts might seem like a quick win, they’re often a ticking legal time bomb.
At MAR Legal, we work with UK business owners and employers who need contracts that are clear, compliant, and commercially sound. We have firsthand experience of how off-the-shelf templates can lead to confusion, disputes, and unexpected costs.
In this blog, we’ll explain why one-size-fits-all contracts rarely do the job, and what you can do instead to protect your business properly.
What Is a Cookie-Cutter Employment Contract?
A cookie-cutter contract is a generic, often free or cheap, employment agreement that’s designed to apply broadly across industries and job types. These templates are usually downloaded from the internet or supplied by HR software providers.
They may cover basic terms like pay, working hours, and holidays—but they usually fall short when it comes to the real needs of your business or sector.
Why They’re a Problem: One Size Doesn’t Fit All
1. They Don’t Reflect Your Business
Every company is different. A contract for a tech start-up is unlikely to suit a construction firm, just as a part-time retail assistant’s contract shouldn’t look the same as a senior marketing director.
If your business has unique working patterns, performance expectations, bonus schemes, intellectual property concerns, or client confidentiality risks, a generic contract simply won’t cover them properly.
At best, it leaves you exposed. At worst, it could make parts of your contract unenforceable.
2. They Can Create Legal Risk
Employment law in the UK is constantly evolving. Using an outdated or non-compliant contract can land you in hot water, especially when it comes to:
- Holiday pay calculations
- Working Time Regulations
- Family leave entitlements
- Health & safety responsibilities
- Data protection and GDPR
- Termination procedures
We’ve seen contracts that don’t meet the minimum legal requirements under Section 1 of the Employment Rights Act 1996, which can lead to penalties at Employment Tribunal.
3. They Don’t Protect Your Business Interests
A solid employment contract isn’t just about what the employee gets—it’s about what you protect.
Most templates don’t include clear clauses on:
- Intellectual property ownership
- Restrictive covenants (like non-compete or non-solicitation)
- Confidentiality
- Termination with or without notice
- Post-employment obligations
Failing to include or properly word these clauses can allow employees to walk away with your client list, your ideas, or even your staff.
4. They’re Too Vague or Too Harsh
Many templates try to apply broad, sweeping terms. They’re either too vague, making them hard to enforce, or too harsh, making them vulnerable to legal challenge.
For example, if your restrictive covenant tries to ban someone from working “in any similar business in the UK for two years,” a tribunal is likely to throw it out for being unreasonable.
At MAR Legal, we ensure restrictions are fair, proportionate, and enforceable, so you’re protected, not overreaching.
5. They Don’t Support Growth
A basic template might work for your very first hire. But as you grow, you’ll need contracts that reflect different roles, responsibilities, and risk levels.
What works for an admin assistant won’t be right for a project manager or a sales executive with commission structures.
The right contracts grow with your business. Templates don’t.
What a Properly Drafted Employment Contract Should Include
A strong employment contract should always reflect your industry, business model, and goals. While every agreement will look a little different, here’s what we typically advise including:
- Job title and duties
- Place and hours of work
- Salary, bonuses, and benefits
- Holiday and sick pay entitlement
- Probationary period terms
- Termination notice periods
- Disciplinary and grievance procedures
- Confidentiality and data protection
- Intellectual property protection
- Restrictive covenants, if appropriate
- Any agreed flexible working arrangements
At MAR Legal, we ensure everything is in plain English—no confusing jargon. That way, both you and your team know exactly where you stand.
What Are the Risks of Getting It Wrong?
Poorly drafted contracts can cause a whole host of problems, including:
- Expensive tribunal claims
- Disputes over what was agreed
- Loss of business-sensitive information
- Difficulty removing underperforming staff
- Uncertainty around pay, hours, or benefits
In some cases, employers have had to pay compensation because the contract was silent or ambiguous on key points. In others, employees have successfully argued that clauses were unfair or didn’t apply to their role.
The bottom line? It’s far cheaper to do things properly upfront than to fix a legal mess later.
What’s the Alternative?
Instead of using a risky template, work with a legal professional who gets to know your business.
At MAR Legal, we help UK employers:
- Draft tailored contracts from scratch
- Review and upgrade existing agreements
- Advise on specific clauses and tricky situations
- Build scalable contract templates for growing teams
We are a trusted legal practice with commercial contract expertise and plain-speaking guidance you can rely on.
How MAR Legal Can Help
MAR Legal is a trusted UK legal practice specialising in business contracts, employment documentation, and commercial support. Our work is guided by legal professionals with deep experience in employment and contract law.
We’re focused on clarity, practicality, and protecting your long-term interests, without unnecessary legal jargon or inflated fees.
We know contracts might not be the most exciting part of running a business, but they’re essential. Our team can:
✅ Create tailored contracts for different roles
✅ Ensure your terms are legally sound and up to date
✅ Protect your business’s confidential info and IP
✅ Save you time, risk, and legal fees down the line
Whether you’re hiring your first employee or reviewing contracts for a growing team, we’re here to make it simple—and make it right.
Employment contracts are the foundation of your working relationships. Using a cookie-cutter contract might save you time today, but it can cost you dearly in the long run.
Protect your business. Respect your people. Get it done properly.
Contact MAR Legal today on 0161 491 3933 or email info@marlegal.co.uk for a no-obligation chat about your employment contracts.
This blog is for information only and does not constitute legal advice. Contact MAR Legal for tailored guidance.