Many employees do not have a written contract. This does not mean that you have no legal rights and entitlements. . Even without having a formal written contract, there are still a number of terms that the parties have agreed to, either through their conduct or by virtue of informal correspondence. For instance, in most employment relationships, there is certainty regarding at least a few fundamental components of the employment relationship. Usually, pay or pay structure is certain. Typically, the hours of work are also agreed upon by the employer and employee. However, the law also protects employers and employees where there is no written contract in place. For instance, the Employment Standards Act provides for minimum vacation leave, personal days and further, it mandates the length of notice of termination to which an employee is entitled to prior to termination. Similarly, the Common Law also provides guidance to employees and employers regarding their rights, even where there is no mention in any contract. (I know that “of same” is a legal term but most people don’t speak like this so in an article like this, it’s best to keep the terminology as straightforward as possible. )