Employment offer letter

When do I use this document?

• for a written offer to a prospective new employee
• where the letter will be accompanied with the employee’s employment contract

What are the key features?

• offer letter from new employer
• provision for inclusion of principal employment terms (position, salary, working days if part time)
• to be accompanied by contract of employment
• offer is subject to conditions:
• satisfactory references being received by employer from two personal referees, including current employer
• demonstration by employee of right to work in the UK
• others to be specified (eg production of professional qualifications or driving licence)
• acceptance by employee by signing and returning contract of employment by specified date

What else do I need to know?

Usually following an interview process, the employer may wish to send a formal offer of employment to the new employee.

The offer letter is a binding legal offer from the new employer, capable of acceptance by the individual in accordance with its terms and usually within a specified period.  If not accepted within that period, the offer will lapse.

Acceptance may be stated to be subject to a number of conditions, including:

• employment being on the terms of an employment contract which is included with the offer letter
• the employer taking up one or more satisfactory references regarding the individual, including from the individual’s current employer

What other documents are available?

For forms of employment contract for either a junior or senior employee, see:

• Employment Agreement – junior employee
• Employment Agreement – senior employee