If you use a probationary period both you and the employee will have some time to find out if the job is working out.

You should put the employees terms and conditions of employment in writing within two months of them starting work for you. The information should be clear and must contain such items as:

• Date employment commenced
• Employment status e.g. Part time
• The employee’s job title
• Rate of pay
• How the person is to be paid
• Hours of work
• Holiday entitlement
• Sick Pay entitlement
• Notice periods

Community Access Group’s Direct Payments Teams can help with writing this document and will be able to give you an example Contract of Employment that you can adapt.