New Jersey chef employment contract template

New Jersey Chef Employment Contract

This New Jersey Chef Employment Contract (the "Agreement") is made and entered into as of [Date] by and between:

[Employer Full Legal Name], a [Employer Type, e.g., Corporation] with a principal place of business at [Employer Address], hereinafter referred to as "Employer,"

and

[Employee Full Legal Name], residing at [Employee Address], hereinafter referred to as "Employee."

1. Employment

The Employer hereby employs the Employee as a Chef, and the Employee hereby accepts such employment, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

2. Job Description

The Employee shall perform the duties of a Chef, which include, but are not limited to:

• Menu planning and development
• Recipe creation
• Sourcing and inspecting ingredients
• Inventory management
• Food preparation, cooking, and plating
• Cleanliness and sanitation oversight
• Supervision and training of kitchen staff
• Cost control and waste reduction
• Vendor relationship management
• Compliance with health and safety standards
• Coordination of special events
• Documentation of kitchen operations

Cuisine Focus and Dietary Requirements:

• Option A: Cuisine focus is [Cuisine Type, e.g., Italian].
• Option B: Cuisine focus is [Cuisine Type, e.g., Farm-to-table].
• Dietary requirements include: [List Dietary Needs, e.g., Gluten-free, Vegan].

Reporting Structure:

• Option A: Reports directly to the Executive Chef.
• Option B: Reports directly to the General Manager.
• Option C: Reports directly to the Owner.

Delegation: Responsible for delegating tasks within the kitchen to ensure efficient operations.

3. Work Location

The Employee's primary work location shall be at [Restaurant/Facility Name], located at [Restaurant/Facility Address, City, NJ].

Off-Site Catering/Events:

• Option A: The Employee may be required to work at off-site catering events or pop-up events.
• Option B: Off-site work is not a requirement of this position.

Travel Reimbursement: If off-site work is required, the employee will be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with New Jersey law at the current IRS mileage rate and for reasonable expenses.

4. Employment Type and Work Hours

This is a full-time employment position.

Work Hours:

• Regular work hours are [Start Time] to [End Time], [Days of the Week].
• Expectations: Minimum [Number] hours per week, maximum [Number] hours per week.

Meal and Rest Periods: The Employee shall be provided meal and rest periods in compliance with the New Jersey Wage and Hour Law.

Overtime:

• Option A: The Employee is eligible for overtime pay in accordance with New Jersey law. Overtime will be paid at one and one-half (1.5) times the Employee's regular rate of pay for all hours worked in excess of forty (40) hours in a workweek. Overtime must be pre-approved by [Manager Title].
• Option B: The Employee is not eligible for overtime pay due to [Reason for Ineligibility, e.g., Executive Exemption].

5. Compensation

Base Pay:

• Option A: The Employee's annual base salary shall be [Salary Amount], payable [Pay Frequency, e.g., bi-weekly].
• Option B: The Employee's hourly rate shall be [Hourly Rate], payable [Pay Frequency, e.g., weekly].

Payment Method: Pay will be issued via [Payment Method, e.g., direct deposit].

Tip Pooling/Gratuities:

• Option A: The Employee will participate in a tip-pooling arrangement in accordance with New Jersey law. Details of the tip pool are outlined in [Document Name].
• Option B: This position is not eligible for tips or gratuities.

Bonuses/Commissions:

• Option A: The Employee is eligible for a performance bonus based on [Bonus Metrics].
• Option B: The Employee is not eligible for bonuses or commissions.

6. Benefits

Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance: Employer will contribute [Percentage or Dollar Amount] towards the cost of medical, dental, and vision insurance.

Paid Time Off (PTO): The Employee will accrue PTO at a rate of [Accrual Rate, e.g., one day per month].

Sick Leave: The Employee is entitled to sick leave in accordance with the New Jersey Earned Sick Leave Law.

Vacation: The Employee will be entitled to [Number] days of paid vacation per year.

Paid Holidays: The Employee will receive paid time off for the following holidays: [List of Holidays] per the New Jersey schedule.

Parental/Family Leave: Eligibility for parental or family leave will be governed by the New Jersey Family Leave Act.

Industry Training/Certification:

• Option A: Employer will provide support for industry training or culinary certification up to [Dollar Amount] per year.
• Option B: Employer does not offer support for industry training or certification.

Transportation/Parking Allowance:

• Option A: Employee will receive a transportation/parking allowance of [Dollar Amount] per month.
• Option B: No transportation/parking allowance will be provided.

Uniforms: The Employer will provide and launder uniforms.

Meals: Meals will be provided during shifts.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP): The Employee will have access to an Employee Assistance Program as required by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

7. Qualifications, Certifications, and Licenses

Required: The Employee must possess a valid ServSafe certificate (or equivalent food safety certificate) and a local food handler's card.

Timeline: All certifications and licenses must be obtained and maintained throughout the duration of employment.

Consequences: Failure to maintain required certifications and licenses may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.

8. Food Safety, Sanitation, and Health Code Compliance

The Employee is responsible for adhering to all New Jersey State and local Board of Health regulations.

Mandatory participation in regular health and safety training is required.

The Employee must follow established protocols for inspection readiness and procedures for incident/accident reporting in line with New Jersey standards.

9. Confidentiality

The Employee agrees to maintain the confidentiality of all proprietary recipes, menu concepts, supplier relationships, food cost information, and customer data.

Intellectual Property: All recipes, methods, presentations, and kitchen systems developed during employment are the property of the Employer unless otherwise agreed in writing.

10. Outside Employment

Option A: The Employee may not engage in unauthorized outside employment or "moonlighting" in competing establishments without the Employer's express written consent.

Option B: The employee is not permitted to work in any restaurant within a [number] mile radius of the employer's business during their employment.

Enforceability of Non-compete: Any non-compete or non-solicitation clauses will be interpreted and enforced in accordance with New Jersey law, considering reasonableness and recent legal trends.

11. Code of Conduct

The Employee shall adhere to the Employer's codes of conduct, including anti-harassment/bullying protocols and anti-discrimination guarantees consistent with the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJ LAD).

The Employee must maintain appropriate dress/hygiene standards and comply with the Employer's substance abuse policies.

Clear reporting channels for workplace issues are available to the Employee.

12. Equipment, Uniforms, and Tools

The Employer will provide uniforms. The Employee is responsible for [responsibility for knives, e.g., providing their own knives].

The Employee is responsible for the care and return of all equipment, uniforms, and tools.

The Employee may be held liable for lost or damaged items due to negligence.

13. Performance Assessment and Disciplinary Procedures

Performance assessments will be conducted [Frequency, e.g., annually] by [Review Authority, e.g., the Executive Chef].

Disciplinary procedures will be followed in accordance with New Jersey employment practices.

14. Termination

This is an at-will employment relationship, meaning either party may terminate the employment at any time, with or without cause or notice.

Final Wages: Payment of final wages will be made within the time frames mandated by New Jersey law.

Return of Property: Upon termination, the Employee must return all uniforms and equipment belonging to the Employer.

Grounds for Immediate Termination: Gross misconduct, health code violations, or safety breaches are grounds for immediate termination.

15. Dispute Resolution

Any disputes arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be governed by the laws and courts of the State of New Jersey.

• Option A: Disputes will first be addressed through internal grievance procedures.
• Option B: Disputes will be submitted to mediation or binding arbitration before litigation.

16. Required Disclosures and Worker Protections

The Employer maintains workers' compensation insurance coverage as required by New Jersey law.

The Employer complies with all occupational health and safety regulations.

The Employer has established policies for handling burns, cuts, or foodborne illness outbreaks.

17. Immigration and Work Authorization

The Employee must provide documentation verifying their right to work in the U.S. as required by federal and New Jersey law.

18. Equal Opportunity and Diversity

The Employer is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to diversity and inclusion. The employer does not discriminate based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, or any other protected status under New Jersey law.

19. Data Privacy

The Employer will protect the privacy of the Employee's health or background check information in accordance with New Jersey privacy laws.

20. Miscellaneous

Amendments: This Agreement may be amended only by a written instrument signed by both parties.

Severability: If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

Waiver: No waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless in writing and signed by the waiving party.

Entire Agreement: This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous communications and proposals, whether oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof.

Assignment: This Agreement may not be assigned or subcontracted by either party without the prior written consent of the other party.

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

____________________________

[Employer Full Legal Name]

By: ____________________________

[Employer Representative Name and Title]

____________________________

[Employee Full Legal Name]