As the only Organisation that is involved in the negotiations, with employers, of terms and conditions of employment for all categories of doctors working within the health system, the Irish Medical Organisation is best placed to advise doctors on their individual contracts of employment. 

Contracts of employment can be complex documents, therefore, as with any contract, doctor’s need to be fully aware that all aspects of the document to which they become a signatory are appropriate, in line with relevant legislation and in the case of public appointments, adhering to national agreements made between the employers and the Irish Medical Organisation.

The Contract Review Service is a service that can be availed of by any member of the Irish Medical Organisation.  The Organisations’ in-house specialists will review each aspect of the contract and advise members on any aspect that may be questionable, require clarification or not adhering to agreed templates.  The key aspects being, and as legislated for in accordance with the Terms of Employment (Information) Act, 1994:

• The full names of the employer and the employee;
• The place of work;
• The title of the post;
• The date of commencement of the employee's contract of employment;
• In the case of a temporary contract of employment, the expected duration thereof
• or, if the contract of employment is for a fixed term, the date on which the contract expires;
• The rate or method of calculation of the employee's remuneration and the times at which remuneration is paid;
• Any terms or conditions relating to hours of work (including overtime);
• Any terms or conditions relating to paid leave (other than paid sick leave);
• Any terms or conditions relating to—
• incapacity for work due to sickness or injury and paid sick leave, and
• pensions and pension schemes.
• The period of notice which the employee is required to give and entitled to receive;
• A reference to any collective agreements which directly affect the terms and conditions of the employee's employment.

The Contract Review Service ensures that, as signatory to an employment contract, doctor’s entitlements are protected in line with legislation, appropriate industrial and employee relations practices, and nationally agreed templates, accordingly permitting the doctor to focus on the role that they are contracted to do.