ACROBAT FOR BUSINESS | 8-MINUTE READ
10 types of employment contracts.
Employment contracts ensure transparency and safety for everyone.
Hiring isn’t a one-size-fits-all task. Every role has its own requirements, expectations, and time commitments, and your employment contracts should reflect that. Employment contracts are legally binding agreements between employers and workers outlining everything from job duties to benefits to working hours.
You might be accustomed to employment contracts for W2 workers, but you’ll want to explore multiple types of employment contracts. Depending on the nature of the role, you might need a fixed-term employment contract, a temporary employment contract, or a part-time one.
In this guide, you’ll learn about the types of employment contracts to help you choose the best option for your business. That’s the key to staying compliant, protecting your interests, and fostering productive working relationships. You’ll also learn how to write a contract using tools like Adobe Acrobat for business, which simplifies the entire process through time-saving templates, storage, generative AI, and e-signatures.
1. Full time.
A full-time employment contract is the most widely used contract in hiring. It’s a longer-term agreement for an employee to work a standard number of hours per week, usually 35 to 40. This contract outlines salary, benefits, paid time off, and termination policies.
Full-time contracts are ideal for core roles that have ongoing responsibilities and require long-term commitment. They benefit both employers and workers, giving businesses the benefit of a dedicated team member and providing workers with more job security.
For small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs), these contracts are a great option for positions that are central to operations — like managers, customer service reps, or marketing leads — where continuity and accountability are crucial. This type of employment contract also fosters a strong company culture and encourages retention.
You don’t need to be a legal expert to draft a full-time employment contract, either. Acrobat for business offers customizable templates and streamlined document management that securely drafts, sends, and stores full-time contracts.
2. Part time.
Part-time employment contracts are for employees who work less than a standard full-time schedule. Most businesses classify this as working fewer than 30 hours a week, but the exact number of hours differs. Part-time contracts are best for getting help with tasks that don’t require a full-time presence. They can include seasonal staff, retail workers, administrative support, or employees balancing school or caregiving responsibilities. They’re a strategic way to fill staffing gaps without overcommitting your budget.
3. Temporary.
This type of employment contract is common for short-term or project-based roles with clear start and end dates. Staffing agencies are a popular way to fill these temporary roles, usually to cover specific projects, seasonal demand, or maternity leave. Think: hiring an IT consultant for a software rollout, retail staff during the holidays, or administrative help during a team member’s leave of absence. Temporary employment contracts give employers the flexibility to meet business demands without the overhead of a full-time hire. Employees have a chance to gain experience, earn extra income, or explore a company before considering a longer-term role.
With Acrobat for business, it’s easy for businesses to adapt contract templates to fit each unique temporary role — no need to start from scratch. The generative AI feature also helps decode legal jargon like at-will or termination clauses so temporary employees know exactly what they’re signing. That clarity helps build trust from day one.
4. Zero hour.
Zero-hour employment contracts are flexible legal agreements where an employer doesn’t promise a set number of working hours. The upside to this arrangement is that the employee doesn’t have to accept every shift the business offers them, either. Instead, the employer assigns work as needed, and the employee is free to take it or leave it.
This type of contract is common in industries where staffing needs fluctuate, like hospitality, events, and healthcare. For example, zero-hour contracts are useful for managing unpredictable demand during product launches, pop-ups, or last-minute client requests. Flexibility is the biggest advantage of this type of employment contract. Employers can scale their workforce up or down without committing to fixed wages, while workers have the freedom to accept shifts that fit their schedule.
5. At will.
An at-will employment contract allows either the employer or employee to terminate the agreement at any time. As long as it doesn’t violate labor laws, either party can cancel the contract with or without cause. At-will employment gives employers a lot of flexibility, especially when hiring for jobs that change in scope over time, like for a quickly growing startup.
The at-will employment contract gives both parties freedom. Employers can pivot quickly based on business needs, while employees aren’t locked into long-term commitments. However, clearly outline expectations, policies, and performance criteria to avoid misunderstandings and minimize legal risk. If you’re unsure how enforceable a particular agreement is, explore the difference between binding vs. non-binding contracts.
More employment contracts.
The following are additional employment contracts you may want to consider:
6. Fixed term.
A fixed term employment contract specifies the duration of employment from the start. Once you reach the end date, the contract expires unless both parties choose to extend or renew it. This type of employment contract is ideal for hiring employees for a more extended period than a temporary contract.
If you need help launching a new system or navigating a merger with additional help, a fixed-term contract could be the best choice. Employers can access skilled workers without committing to a long-term arrangement, while employees have the security of a guaranteed term and a clear scope of work. This type of contract is especially useful for aligning workforce planning with business cycles or strategic goals.
With Acrobat for business, employers can easily draft, send, and track fixed-term employment contracts — ensuring all critical details, including the contract timeline, are captured and acknowledged. And for those unfamiliar with legal terms or unsure about renewal clauses, the Acrobat generative AI feature can translate complex language into understandable summaries, which means fewer surprises for everyone involved.
7. Freelance.
Also known as a contractor agreement or a self-employed contract, a freelance employment contract details the relationship between a business and a freelancer. Unlike traditional employees, freelancers typically work on a project-by-project basis, setting their own hours and managing their taxes and benefits.
Freelancers are a great way to speed up progress on creative work, like graphic design or video editing, or to access technical skills that are difficult to hire internally, like app development. Freelance employment contracts are a smart way to preserve your budget resources while getting quick access to the expertise you need to keep business moving forward.
While freelancers might be a business of one person, remember that freelancers all have different contract and pricing types. For example, some freelancers may prefer fixed-price contracts, while others only use time and materials (T&M) contracts.
8. Executive.
High-visibility C-suite roles come with additional responsibilities and perks that employment contracts should outline clearly. These contracts go beyond the basics, often including clauses related to bonuses, equity, non-compete agreements, severance packages, and performance incentives.
Because executives often have a significant influence on business direction, these contracts must be airtight, transparent, and tailored to each role. They protect both the organization and the executive by detailing the scope of authority, expectations, and exit terms. This clarity is critical for attracting top-tier talent and ensuring mutual accountability. To ensure nothing gets overlooked, understand the common types of contract clauses that you should include in more complex agreements like executive contracts.
With Acrobat for business, business owners can draft and securely manage complex executive employment contracts with confidence. Custom templates, advanced access controls, and legally binding e-signatures ensure sensitive agreements stay secure and professional.
9. Union.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, union membership made up just under 10% of the workforce in 2024, accounting for 14.3 million workers. While union employment contracts are less common today, they have unique considerations that businesses need to account for. This type of contract outlines terms such as wages, working hours, job duties, grievance procedures, and employee rights.
Union employment contracts are standard in unionized industries like construction, transportation, and healthcare. These contracts can take time to execute, but they ensure businesses comply with negotiated agreements and foster goodwill with employee union reps.
Managing union agreements can get complex, but Acrobat for business makes it simple. With features like searchable PDFs, version control, and audit trails, you can keep track of contract updates, negotiations, and signatures with less hassle.
10. Apprentice or intern.
An apprentice or intern employment contract outlines the terms of a role focused on learning and development rather than long-term employment. These contracts focus more on training objectives, mentorship, learning outcomes, and fixed durations. Internship employment contracts are perfect for students and recent graduates who want hands-on experience in their field.
An apprentice or intern employment contract provides structure for what would otherwise be an informal arrangement. It clarifies expectations, sets learning goals, and ensures both parties understand the boundaries of the role, especially when it comes to compensation, hours, and supervision.
Whether you’re hiring your next executive, onboarding a part-time employee, or bringing on a new intern, having the right contract in place sets the foundation for a strong working relationship. Every type of employment contract serves a different purpose, but they all ensure safety, compliance, and transparency during the hiring process.
Managing employment contracts might sound complex, but it doesn’t have to be. Acrobat for business empowers you to create, share, and manage every contract with ease. Everything you need, from dynamic templates to legally binding e-signatures, is in one secure platform. Plus, with the generative AI feature, you can decode complex contract language in seconds — no legal dictionary required. Explore everything Acrobat for business has to offer for smarter, simpler contract management.
Frequently asked questions.
What is the difference between a 1099 and a W-2?
What should I include in an employment contract to protect my business?
Clear terms protect both the employee and your business from misunderstandings. Every employment contract should include:
- Employee responsibilities
- Expected working hours
- Compensation and benefits
- Confidentiality
- Termination conditions
- Requirements or certifications
Can an employee have more than one type of employment contract with the same employer?
Can employment contracts be changed after they’re signed?
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