When you get a new job, which lasts for longer than one month and which carries with it an average of more than eight hours a week, the employer must give you a contract of employment.

The contract of employment must state:

Name and address of the employer and the worker

The date when the employment takes effect and the duration of the employment, if not unlimited

Place of employment

Working hours

Seniority

Applicable agreement

Name of the union

Wage, additions, including pension, insurance and similar

The date when the wage is paid

The worker’s right regarding holiday

Terms of notice

Other possible agreements concerning the employment

According to law, the employer is obligated to give you a contract of employment containing the above information. However, many people never receive a contract of employment. If you are working but have not received a contract of employment, you can ask your employer to give you a contract of employment. You should do this regardless of whether you have been with the employer for a long time or not.

Should you encounter problems in obtaining a contract of employment, you can approach the trade union representative on the workplace, who can talk to the management on your behalf. You can also always talk to your local union branch.

An employer who does not provide his or her workers with a contract of employment can be judged to pay up to 13 week’s pay, and 20 weeks if the breach of the worker’s rights is particularly severe.