Employment Agreement Template
A one-page agreement covering pay, hours, leave and notice. Copy it, fill it in, sign it before day one.
Why Put It in Writing
Almost every dispute between a Pakistani household and its domestic staff starts with something nobody wrote down. A salary figure agreed verbally gets remembered differently six months later. A day off that was "usually Sunday" becomes a problem when a wedding falls on one.
A written agreement is not a sign of distrust. It is a record both sides can point back to, and it protects the staff member exactly as much as it protects the household. One page in plain language does the job.
Use the Language the Staff Member Reads
Write the agreement in whichever language the staff member reads comfortably, which across most of Pakistan means Urdu. If there is any doubt about literacy, read it aloud together before both sides sign so nobody is agreeing to terms they have not actually understood.
A signature on a document someone could not read is worth nothing if it is ever disputed, and more importantly it is not a fair basis for the working relationship you are about to start.
The Template
Copy this into any document, fill in the blanks, and print two copies. Delete section 7 if the role is live-out.
DOMESTIC STAFF EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This agreement is made between:
Employer (Household): ______________________________
Address: ______________________________
CNIC: ______________________________
Staff Member: ______________________________
Address: ______________________________
CNIC: ______________________________
Start date: ____________________
1. ROLE AND DUTIES
Position: ______________________________
Duties agreed:
- ______________________________
- ______________________________
- ______________________________
2. WORKING HOURS
Start time: __________ End time: __________
Working days per week: __________
Arrangement: [ ] Live-in [ ] Live-out
3. SALARY
Monthly salary: PKR ______________________________
Paid on: ______ day of each month
Payment method: [ ] Cash [ ] Bank transfer
4. WEEKLY DAY OFF
Agreed day off: ______________________________
5. ANNUAL LEAVE
Paid leave days per year: __________
Recognised holidays: ______________________________
6. NOTICE PERIOD
Notice required from either side: __________ weeks
7. LIVE-IN TERMS (complete only if applicable)
Accommodation provided: ______________________________
Meals: [ ] Included [ ] Food allowance of PKR __________
Rules on family visits: ______________________________
8. CONDUCT AND CONFIDENTIALITY
The staff member agrees to treat household matters, visitors and
belongings with discretion.
9. ADDITIONAL TERMS
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Both parties confirm they have read and understood the terms above.
Employer signature: ____________________ Date: __________
Staff signature: ____________________ Date: __________
Witness (optional): ____________________ Date: __________This template is provided as a practical starting point for household use and is not legal advice. For unusual arrangements or higher-value specialist roles, consider having it reviewed by a lawyer.
Common Questions
Does this need to be drawn up by a lawyer?
No. For domestic staff arrangements, a clear one-page document in plain language covering pay, hours, leave and notice is sufficient for the overwhelming majority of households. Overly complex documents intimidate staff and rarely get read carefully by either side.
Should both parties keep a copy?
Yes. Both sign and date it, and each keeps a copy. For live-in roles or higher-salary specialist positions, a witness signature adds a further layer of accountability.
What if terms change later?
Note the change with a date and have both sides initial it, or reissue the agreement. Revisiting it once a year keeps it a living reference rather than a formality signed once and forgotten.
Is a written agreement legally required in Pakistan?
Domestic staffing is largely an informal sector and there is no universal statutory contract requirement for household staff. The value of a written agreement is practical rather than regulatory: it prevents the disputes that verbal understandings reliably produce.