An Arkansas employment contract details the terms of the employment and protects both the employer and the employee.
In Arkansas, a contract must meet five essential elements: the offer, legal consideration, acceptance, mutual obligation, agreement, and competent parties [1] . It is best to have all contracts in writing and signed by both parties.
- Laws: Arkansas Code Title 11.
- Definition of Employee: § 11-11-202: “A person performing or seeking to perform work or service of any kind or character for compensation.”
By Type
Independent Contractor Agreement
Defines the business relationship between a client and a contractor.
Subcontractor Agreement
Outlines the agreement between a general contractor and a subcontractor.
Employee Non-Compete Agreement
Protects the employer and prohibits employees from revealing crucial information.
Employee Non-Disclosure Agreement
Safeguards proprietary information.
Hiring in Arkansas
From payday requirements to minimum wage, make sure you’re aware of these key Arkansas employment laws.
At-Will Employment
Arkansas is an at-will employment state. There are also exceptions to the at-will employment rules in Arkansas.
Exceptions
- Public Policy: Yes
- Implied-Contract: Yes
- Good-Faith Exception: No
Minimum Wage ($/hr)
Basic Minimum Rate (per hour): $11.00 [2] .
Premium Pay After Designated Hours: Weekly – 40.
Child Labor
In Arkansas, employment certificates, or work permits, are mandatory for minors under 16. The minor must acquire the certificate from the labor department and present it to the employer to verify their ability to work before they are hired [3] .
Age certification is not required in Arkansas.
Payday
Hourly employees in Arkansas must be paid at least semi-monthly.
Meal and Rest Breaks
In Arkansas, there are no state laws that employers must provide a paid break or meal period. However, there are state laws that require rest breaks for children under the age of 16 employed in the entertainment industry [4] .
Recordkeeping Requirements
Employers in Arkansas must keep records for no less than three years [5] on:
- Wages, hours, payroll records
- Safety and health/workers’ compensation
- Child labor
- Discrimination
Sample
Below, you can download an Arkansas employment contract template in PDF or Word format:
