Missouri cook employment contract template

Missouri Full-Time Cook Employment Agreement

This Missouri Full-Time Cook Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made and effective as of [Date], by and between:

• [Employer Name], a [State] [Entity Type, e.g., Corporation], located at [Employer Address] (“Employer”), and
• [Employee Name], residing at [Employee Address] (“Employee”).

1. Employment

• Option A: Employer hereby employs Employee as a Full-Time Cook.
• Option B: Employer hereby employs Employee as a Full-Time Cook, specializing in [Cuisine Type].
• The work site is located at [Restaurant/Kitchen Address], Missouri.
• Employee will report to [Head Chef/Sous Chef/Kitchen Manager].

2. Duties

• Employee shall perform the following duties, including but not limited to:
  • Food preparation and cooking according to menu recipes and special dietary requirements.
  • Portion control and plating.
  • Sanitation tasks and handling food storage.
  • Following portion and waste management procedures.
  • Assisting with inventory management.
  • Familiarization with commercial kitchen appliances.
  • Compliance with allergen labeling and cross-contamination prevention protocols.
  • Adherence to safe food handling procedures.
  • Preparation for service (mise en place).
  • Cleaning, deep cleaning rotations, and dishwashing/equipment sanitation as needed.
  • Compliance with Missouri Department of Health food safety regulations, local fire code, and OSHA kitchen safety requirements.
  • Documentation of allergen and ingredient usage as required by employer policy.

3. Skills

• Required Skills:
  • Knife skills.
  • Food safety knowledge (ServSafe or equivalent certification [Preferred/Required]).
  • Experience with [Specific Cuisines/Dietary Protocols].
  • Ability to operate and clean [Specific Kitchen Equipment].
  • Communication skills with front-of-house and kitchen staff.

4. Work Schedule and Hours

• Employee’s expected weekly work schedule is [Days of the Week].
• Employee's expected hours are [Number] hours per week (full-time).
• Employee will work [Lunch/Dinner/Rotating/Holiday] shifts.
• Missouri law does not mandate breaks for adult employees. Employer's policy regarding breaks is:
  • Option A: Employees are entitled to a [Number] minute [Paid/Unpaid] break during each [Number] hour shift.
  • Option B: Employees are not entitled to any breaks.

5. Overtime

Employee will be paid overtime at 1.5 times their regular rate for hours exceeding 40 in a workweek, in accordance with Missouri and federal wage-hour law.

6. Compensation

• Option A: Employee shall be paid an hourly wage of [Dollar Amount] per hour.
• Option B: Employee shall be paid a salary of [Dollar Amount] per [Pay Period].
• Employee will be paid [Weekly/Bi-weekly/Semi-monthly/Monthly] via [Direct Deposit/Check].
• Option A: Employer will provide a uniform allowance of [Dollar Amount] per [Time Period].
• Option B: Employee is responsible for supplying their own uniform.
• Option C: Employer provides employee meals [Under the following conditions].

7. Tip Pooling/Credit

• Option A: Employee [Is/Is Not] participating in a tip pool.
• Option B: Employer utilizes tip credit: [Description of Tip Credit Policy, complying with Missouri regulations].
• Option C: Employer has a service charge distribution policy: [Description of Service Charge Policy].

8. Benefits

Employee is eligible for the following benefits, subject to plan terms and eligibility requirements:

• Health Insurance: [Yes/No]
• Dental Insurance: [Yes/No]
• Vision Insurance: [Yes/No]
• Paid Time Off (Sick, Vacation, Holiday): [Description of PTO policy]
• Unpaid Leave (FMLA): [Employer Complies/Does Not Comply]
• Jury Duty Leave: As required by Missouri law.
• Bereavement Leave: [Description of policy]
• Voting Leave: As required by Missouri law.
• Retirement Savings Plan: [Yes/No; Description if Yes]
• Employee Meal Discounts: [Description of discount]
• Uniform Cleaning: [Yes/No]
• Training/Certification Reimbursement: [Description of policy]

9. Training

• Employee is required to complete the following onboarding and continuing food safety training: [List of required trainings].
• Employee must adhere to employer's policy and Missouri requirements for reporting workplace injuries.
• Employee must participate in any kitchen safety programs provided by the employer.

10. Conduct

• Employee shall adhere to the following conduct standards:
  • Professional hygiene and appearance standards.
  • Personal protective equipment requirements.
  • Punctual attendance.
  • Proper substance handling (alcohol/drugs in line with restaurant/bar policy).
  • Anti-harassment standards.
  • Respectful workplace behavior toward kitchen and service staff.
  • Compliance with employer’s written code of conduct.

11. Confidentiality

• Employee shall maintain the confidentiality of Employer's proprietary recipes, supplier relationships, and operating procedures.
• Employer retains all intellectual property rights in recipes and food creations developed during employment, unless otherwise negotiated.

12. Outside Employment

• Employee's outside employment is restricted only to the extent allowed by Missouri law.
• Employee is restricted from working for direct competitors for [Duration] within [Distance].
  • Option: only if access to specialized cuisine information or proprietary recipes is substantial.

13. Probationary/Training Period

• Option A: Employee is subject to a probationary period of [Number] days.
• Option B: No probationary period.
• During the probationary period, Employee's performance will be evaluated based on [Evaluation Criteria].
• Wage/benefit changes after successful completion: [Description].

14. Disciplinary Action

• Grounds for disciplinary action include, but are not limited to, [List of grounds].
• Progressive discipline structure: oral warning, written warning, suspension, termination.
• Employee may report grievances or complaints according to Employer's policy and Missouri's whistleblower protection laws.

15. Termination

• Employment is at-will, as permitted by Missouri law.
• Either party may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice.
• Final paycheck will be provided to Employee [According to standard payroll timing].
• Employee must return all uniforms, tools, and keys upon termination.

16. Workplace Injuries

• Employee must report all workplace injuries to Employer immediately, in compliance with Missouri Workers’ Compensation law.
• Employer will maintain a safe workplace in accordance with OSHA and applicable Missouri statutes.

17. Discrimination and Accommodation

• Employer will provide reasonable accommodations under the Missouri Human Rights Act and ADA for cooks with disabilities.
• Employer prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, ancestry, age (40+), disability, genetic information, or any other category protected by Missouri law.

18. Dispute Resolution

• Employer has an in-house grievance handling protocol: [Description of protocol].
• Option A: Any disputes arising out of this Agreement may be submitted to mediation or arbitration.
• Option B: All disputes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Missouri.
• Venue for any legal action shall be in [County Name] County, Missouri.

19. Other Policies

• Staff meals: [Description of policy]
• Break-room or locker use: [Description of policy]
• Uniform issue and care: [Description of policy]
• Conduct during health inspections or compliance audits: [Description of policy]

20. Employee Handbook

• Employee acknowledges receipt of the Employee Handbook and agrees to abide by its terms.
• Signature below indicates that employee has read and understood the employee handbook.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

____________________________

[Employer Name]

By: ____________________________

[Employer Representative Name], [Title]

____________________________

[Employee Name]

Date: ____________________________