Washington chef employment contract template

Washington Chef Employment Contract

This Washington Chef Employment Contract ("Agreement") is made and entered into as of [Date], by and between [Employer Name], a [State] [Business Type, e.g., Corporation] with its principal place of business at [Employer Address] ("Employer"), and [Chef Employee Name], residing at [Chef Employee Address] ("Chef").

1. Position

• Full-Time Chef
  • Chef will be employed as a Full-Time Chef.
  • Chef will be employed as a [Part-Time/Contract] Chef (if not full-time, specify details).

2. Job Responsibilities

• Chef's responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
  • Menu planning and development.
  • Food preparation and presentation.
  • Recipe creation and standardization.
  • Inventory management.
  • Sourcing ingredients, with a preference for local suppliers.
  • Kitchen staff supervision and training.
  • Monitoring kitchen safety and sanitation in strict adherence to Washington State Department of Health codes (WAC 246-215).
  • Management of food cost and waste.
  • Allergy awareness and special dietary accommodations.
  • Compliance with all company and regulatory food safety procedures.
  • Participation in regularly scheduled cleaning and maintenance of kitchen equipment.
  • Creation and maintenance of standardized recipes and plating guidelines.
  • Ordering and receiving deliveries with attention to quality standards.
  • Guest interaction as dictated by restaurant practices.
  • [Specific Cuisine/Specialty, e.g., French, Italian, Vegan] expertise required.
  • Maintaining a valid Washington State Food Worker Card.
  • Maintaining a valid Alcohol Server Permit (MAST card) if handling alcohol.

3. Reporting Structure

• Chef will report to:
  • Executive Chef.
  • General Manager.
  • Owner.
  • [Other Position Title].

4. Work Location

• Primary work location:
  • [Restaurant Name], located at [Restaurant Address].
  • Other: [Specify details for off-site catering, events, pop-ups, or travel].

5. Working Hours

• Standard Weekly Schedule: [Days of the week and hours]
• Meal and Rest Breaks: In compliance with RCW 49.12 and WAC 296-126-092.
• Clocking In/Out: [Specify requirements].
• Overtime: Eligible for overtime pay at 1.5x the regular rate for hours worked over 40 per week (RCW 49.46).
  • Not eligible for overtime pay due to exempt status.

6. Compensation

• Annual Salary: [Amount]
  • Hourly Wage: [Amount] (must meet or exceed Washington's minimum wage).
• Payment Method: [Direct Deposit/Check].
• Pay Cycle: [Weekly/Bi-Weekly/Monthly].
• Tips/Gratuities: [Specify policy and allocation, if relevant].
• Bonus/Incentive: [Specify criteria for bonus/incentive compensation, e.g., food costs, team management, health inspection scores, guest satisfaction].
  • No bonus/incentive.

7. Benefits

• Health Insurance: [Specify plan details, eligibility, and waiting periods].
  • No health insurance provided.
• Dental Insurance: [Specify plan details, eligibility, and waiting periods].
  • No dental insurance provided.
• Vision Insurance: [Specify plan details, eligibility, and waiting periods].
  • No vision insurance provided.
• Paid Sick Leave: Accrual in compliance with RCW 49.46.210.
• Paid Vacation: [Specify accrual rate and usage policy].
  • No paid vacation.
• Paid Holidays: [List holidays].
  • No paid holidays.
• Retirement Plan/401(k): [Specify plan details and eligibility].
  • No retirement plan/401(k) provided.
• Employee Meals: [Specify meal privileges].
• Uniform Allowance: [Specify allowance amount or provision of uniforms].
• Knife Allowance: [Specify allowance amount or provision of knives].
• Professional Development/Cooking Class Reimbursement: [Specify reimbursement policy].
  • No reimbursement provided.
• Safety Shoe/Gear Stipend: [Specify stipend amount].
  • No stipend provided.

8. Workers' Compensation

• Coverage: Employer will provide workers’ compensation coverage as mandated by Washington State (L&I).

9. Anti-Harassment and Anti-Discrimination

• Policy: Employer maintains a strict anti-harassment and anti-discrimination policy applying to all protected categories under Washington law (RCW 49.60).

10. Workplace Safety

• Measures: Employer will implement and maintain workplace safety measures. Chef will comply with all safety procedures.
• COVID-19 Protocols: Chef will adhere to all COVID-19 protocols or health crisis mandates as updated by local authorities.

11. Intellectual Property

• Ownership: Recipes developed on the job, menu concepts, and proprietary prep techniques belong to the Employer unless otherwise stated.
• Prior Recipes: Chef must disclose any prior recipes they intend to use.
• Inventions/Presentations: [Specify any special agreements for culinary inventions/presentations].

12. Confidentiality

• Kitchen and Business: Chef agrees to maintain strict confidentiality regarding trade secrets, guest lists, supplier pricing, and proprietary management practices during and after employment.

13. Outside Activities

• Approval: Chef requires notification and Employer approval for outside culinary activities, side catering, food competitions, or consulting.

14. Standards of Conduct

• Physical, Behavioral, and Hygiene: Chef must comply with Washington food safety laws, personal appearance and uniform expectations, equipment use policies, and maintain a zero-tolerance policy for intoxication/substance use on duty.

15. Non-Solicitation and Restrictive Covenants

• Non-Solicitation: [Specify any non-solicitation terms regarding staff and clients, ensuring compliance with Washington law].
• Non-Compete: [Specify any non-compete terms, ensuring compliance with RCW 49.62; include duration (max 18 months if applicable), geographic scope, and nature of prohibited activities].
  • No non-compete agreement.

16. At-Will Employment

• Status: Employment is at-will, as permitted under Washington law.
• Notice Period: [Specify any required notice period for resignation or termination].
  • No required notice period.
• Final Pay: Paid at next regular payday or within the required statutory period per RCW 49.48.
• Return of Property: Chef will return all Employer property upon termination.
• Reference/Rehire: [Specify conditions for reference provision or rehire eligibility].

17. Dispute Resolution

• Process: [Specify internal complaint/grievance procedure].
• Mediation: [Specify any mediation policy].
  • No mediation.
• Governing Law: This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Washington. Jurisdiction and venue shall be in [County Name] County, Washington.

18. Safety and Health Compliance

• OSHA/WISHA: Employer will comply with OSHA and the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act (WISHA).
• Injury Reporting: Chef will report any workplace injuries immediately.

19. Background Check

• Requirement: [Specify if a background check is required, particularly if working with vulnerable populations].
  • No background check required.

20. Mandatory Reporting

Chef is required to report any instances of workplace harassment or code violations.

21. Local Requirements

• Union Membership: [Specify if union membership or collective bargaining terms apply].
  • No union membership required.
• City Ordinances: [Note any city-specific ordinances affecting chefs, e.g., Seattle’s Secure Scheduling Law].

22. Modifications

Terms are subject to adjustment in response to changes in Washington law or health department rules.

23. Entire Agreement

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

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

[Employer Name]

By: [Employer Representative Name]

Title: [Employer Representative Title]

[Chef Employee Name]

Signature: ____________________________