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Bailment Contract Between Employer and Employee

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Bailment Contract between Employer and Employee Regarding Use of Employer’s Equipment in Order to Work at Home

This Bailment Agreement made on the , between of
, referred to herein as Bailee, and , a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the state of , with its principal office located at
, referred to herein as Bailor.

Whereas, Bailor owns the following described property (the Property), which has the value and condition stated:

Article     Value     Condition

  $  

  $  

  $  

Whereas, Bailor is the employer of Bailee and both parties desire that Bailee have access to the Property for the sole purpose of working on job related matters (sometimes referred to as business purposes) at Bailee’s home; and

Whereas, both parties desire to enter into this bailment agreement with respect to the Property, on the following terms and conditions;

Now, therefore, for and in consideration of the mutual covenants contained in this agreement, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

1. Term of Bailment

The term of this Bailment shall commence on the date of this Agreement as stated above and shall terminate on the date Bailee leaves the employ of Bailor. Bailor may demand the return of the Property at any time prior to the expiration of this Agreement on days' written notice given to Bailee of Bailor's intention to withdraw the property, and this Agreement shall terminate when the Property has been redelivered to Bailor.

2. Delivery and Acceptance

Delivery of the property shall be made to Bailee at
. Acceptance or retention by Bailee of the property shall constitute acknowledgment that the Property was received in the condition described.

3. Conditions of Bailment

Bailee shall keep and maintain the property with proper care so that it shall not be injured, and assumes liability for damage or loss from all causes except war, confiscation, order of any government or public authority, or deterioration from natural use. The parties understand and agree that Bailor has established the value of the property.

4. Redelivery of Bailed Property

On expiration of the term of this bailment, Bailee shall redeliver the Property to Bailor in a reasonable manner required by Bailor.

5. Failure to Return Property

If Bailee fails to return the Property on the date requested by Bailor pursuant to this Agreement, Bailee shall be liable to Bailor for the value of the Property as set forth above, and, to the extent allowed by law, the value of the Property shall be deducted from any wages not yet paid to Bailee by Bailor.

6. Title to Property

The property is, and will remain, and at all times shall be deemed to be, the sole and exclusive property of Bailor, and Bailee has no right of ownership in the Property. The Property shall not be transferred or delivered to any other person or corporation without prior written consent or instruction of Bailor.

7. Restrictions on Use of Property

The Property will be used exclusively for business purposes. Bailee shall not download any program, data unrelated to business, music, videos, or tools on the Property without the written permission of the Bailor.

8. No Waiver

The failure of either party to this Agreement to insist upon the performance of any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, or the waiver of any breach of any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, shall not be construed as subsequently waiving any such terms and conditions, but the same shall continue and remain in full force and effect as if no such forbearance or waiver had occurred.

9. Governing Law

This Agreement shall be governed by, construed, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of .

10. Notices

Any notice provided for or concerning this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed sufficiently given when sent by certified or registered mail if sent to the respective address of each party as set forth at the beginning of this Agreement.

11. Mandatory Arbitration

Any dispute under this Agreement shall be required to be resolved by binding arbitration of the parties hereto. If the parties cannot agree on an arbitrator, each party shall select one arbitrator and both arbitrators shall then select a third. The third arbitrator so selected shall arbitrate said dispute. The arbitration shall be governed by the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in force and effect.

12. Entire Agreement

This Agreement shall constitute the entire agreement between the parties and any prior understanding or representation of any kind preceding the date of this Agreement shall not be binding upon either party except to the extent incorporated in this Agreement.

13. Modification of Agreement

Any modification of this Agreement or additional obligation assumed by either party in connection with this Agreement shall be binding only if placed in writing and signed by each party or an authorized representative of each party.

14. Assignment of Rights

The rights of each party under this Agreement are personal to that party and may not be assigned or transferred to any other person, firm, corporation, or other entity without the prior, express, and written consent of the other party.

15. Counterparts

This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

WITNESS our signatures as of the day and date first above stated.

____________________________________

(Name of Bailor)

By:

___________________________________

(Printed name of Bailee)

____________________________________

(Signature of Bailee)

Enter text✕

What a Bailment Contract Between Employer and Employee Is and When It Applies

A Bailment Contract Between Employer and Employee is a written agreement that documents the temporary transfer of personal property from an employer to an employee for safekeeping, use, or custody. The contract clarifies possession (not ownership), the permitted use of the item, the expected condition on return, and which party bears risk for loss, damage, or theft. Typical workplace examples include tools, uniforms, electronic devices, keys, or company vehicles. A clear bailment agreement reduces disputes by defining responsibilities, required maintenance, insurance obligations, and return timelines in predictable, enforceable terms.

Why a Clear Bailment Contract Matters for Employers and Employees

A bailment agreement reduces ambiguity about custody, allocates liability for loss or damage, and sets return and inspection procedures. For employers it preserves asset value and supports risk management; for employees it clarifies permitted use and prevents unexpected liability claims.

Why a Clear Bailment Contract Matters for Employers and Employees

Who Commonly Uses a Bailment Contract Between Employer and Employee

Organizations and workers who handle company property regularly benefit from a written bailment agreement to document responsibility and protect assets.

  • Human resources teams managing device or uniform programs for staff members.
  • Field technicians assigned tools, equipment, or vehicles for off-site work.
  • Facilities and security personnel accountable for keys, badges, or access devices.

The document is flexible and suitable for hourly workers, salaried staff, contractors, and managers when company property is entrusted for business use or safekeeping.

Typical Signers and Their Roles

HR Manager

HR Managers prepare and maintain bailment contracts, track issued items, and enforce return conditions; they oversee documentation, inspections, and any required deductions or insurance claims after loss or damage.

Field Employee

Employees receiving property acknowledge custody and permitted use, follow maintenance and security rules, and sign to accept liability terms; they must report loss or damage promptly and return items per the contract.

Core Elements to Include in a Professional Bailment Contract Between Employer and Employee

A thorough bailment contract defines the property, purpose, custody rules, obligations for care, liability allocation, and the return process. Each section should be clear and measurable to reduce interpretation disputes.

Property Description

Provide a detailed inventory: make, model, serial numbers, identifying marks, and condition on handover. Accurate descriptions help determine responsibility for preexisting damage versus new damage.

Purpose and Use

State the exact permitted uses and any prohibited actions. Restricting personal use or off-hours operation eliminates ambiguity about authorized activity and insurance coverage triggers.

Term and Return

Specify when custody begins, the agreed return date or event, and procedures for early return or transfer. Include inspection rights and acceptance criteria for returned items.

Liability and Insurance

Allocate responsibility for loss or damage, require insurance where appropriate, and explain whether employer or employee bears repair or replacement costs, including deductible handling.

Consideration

If consideration is exchanged (e.g., reduced pay, deposit), describe amounts, payment timing, and legal basis. Documenting consideration strengthens contract enforceability.

Remedies and Dispute Resolution

Include consequences for breach, recovery of costs, whether deductions are permitted from wages, and the chosen governing law and dispute resolution method.

Required Fields to Complete the Bailment Contract Between Employer and Employee

Employer Name: Full legal entity name
Employee Name: Full legal name as ID
Item Description: Detailed inventory and identifiers
Start Date: MM/DD/YYYY format
Return Condition: Expected condition on return
Signatures: Signature and date required

Step-by-Step: Completing a Bailment Contract Between Employer and Employee

Follow these steps to create, review, and finalize the bailment agreement so both parties understand duties, insurance, and return logistics.

  • 01
    Prepare Document: Enter parties, item details, and term.
  • 02
    Confirm Use Rules: Specify permitted activities and restrictions.
  • 03
    Set Liability Terms: Define insurance and damage responsibility.
  • 04
    Sign and Record: Capture signatures and store executed copy.

How to Customize and Complete the Bailment Contract Online

Configure your digital workflow to control who fills fields, how signers authenticate, and where executed copies are stored for compliance and auditability.

Field Configuration
Authentication Method Email link, SMS code, or KBA
Template Storage Save contract in secure library
Signer Roles Assign Employer and Employee roles
Retention Policy Set automatic archiving and retention

Digital Signing and eSubmission Considerations

Choose a platform that supports audit trails, required authentication, and secure storage for the executed bailment contract.

  • Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, Google Workspace
  • File Types: PDF, DOCX, HTML supported
  • Security: AES-256 at rest, TLS in transit

Where to Send or File the Completed Bailment Contract

A standard routing places an executed copy with HR and another with the employee; some employers retain a contract in a central document management system.

  • HR File: Permanent employment record copy
  • Employee Copy: Signed copy for employee records
  • Asset Management: Link to equipment inventory system
  • Legal Archive: Store for dispute or audit needs

Typical Timelines and Deadlines for Bailment Contracts

Be explicit about timing: execution before property transfer, periodic inspections, return triggers, and deadlines for reporting loss or damage.

Execution Timing:

Sign before property is released

Inspection Schedule:

Schedule periodic condition checks

Loss Reporting:

Report damage within 24–72 hours

Return Deadline:

Return on specified date or event

Dispute Period:

File disputes per contract timeframe

Common Mistakes When Preparing a Bailment Contract Between Employer and Employee

  • Using vague descriptions for items or failing to include serial numbers, which complicates proof of condition and recovery after loss.
  • Leaving liability and insurance terms unspecified, resulting in disputes over whether the employer or employee bears replacement costs.
  • Not documenting permitted use or off-duty restrictions, allowing claims that damage occurred during unauthorized use.
  • Failing to capture dated signatures or a timestamped audit trail when signing electronically, which can weaken proof of execution.

Potential Penalties and Risks for an Incorrect or Missing Bailment Contract

Replacement Cost: Employer or employee liable
Wage Deductions: Employee pay deduction risk
Insurance Gaps: Claim denial possible
Legal Disputes: Litigation and fees
Operational Loss: Service interruptions
Regulatory Risk: Industry-specific compliance

eSignature Pricing Comparison for Executing the Bailment Contract Between Employer and Employee

Select an eSignature solution that supports audit trails, appropriate authentication, and secure storage. The table below compares starting price, trial options, bulk send, audit trail, and HIPAA compliance across vendors.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Frequently Asked Questions About the Bailment Contract Between Employer and Employee

Answers to common questions about enforceability, electronic signing, notarization, and how to revoke or modify a bailment agreement.


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