If you haven’t been living under a rock in the past few years, you’ve likely heard of electronic signatures, also known as e-signatures. The days of printing, signing, scanning, and emailing contracts back and forth are long gone—best left to those who prefer to stay in the past.

E-signatures for employment agreements are here to speed things up, make life easier, and even help the planet. But how exactly do they work, and why should you care? Let’s break it down.

What is an e-signature?

An electronic signature (e-signature) is the digital version of signing a document with a pen. It’s legally binding in many countries, including the UK, making it just as valid as a traditional signature. Plus, it saves a ton of time. You can learn more about their legal standing here.

How to use e-signatures for employment agreements

Switching to e-signatures for employment contracts is incredibly simple. Here’s how you do it:

1. Pick a trusted e-signature platform – Choose a secure and legally compliant tool like DocuSign, Adobe Sign, or Oneflow.
   • Learn more about Oneflow for HR: https://oneflow.com/solutions/hr/
     
2. Create the employment agreement – Write up your contract as you normally would, making sure everything is crystal clear.
   
3. Upload the document – Drag and drop your contract into your e-signature platform.
   
4. Add the signers – Assign who needs to sign (usually the employer and the new hire).
   
5. Send it off – Hit “send,” and the document will instantly land in the candidate’s or employee’s inbox for signing.
   
6. Track the signing progress – Most platforms let you monitor who has signed and who still needs to.
   
7. Store it safely – Once signed, the document is securely stored online, making it easy to find later.
   

Read also: How to use e-signature for HR?

The benefits of using e-signatures for employment agreements

Why should you switch to e-signatures for employment agreements? Because it’s a game-changer! Here’s why:

1. Get contracts signed in minutes, not days

No more waiting for someone to print, sign, scan, and send back a contract. With e-signatures, hiring can move at lightning speed. 

2. Save money on paper, printing & postage

E-signatures eliminate unnecessary costs. No more printing hundreds of pages or paying for couriers. That’s money back in your pocket!

3. Keep your contracts safe and secure

E-signature platforms use encryption, authentication, and tamper-proof seals to make sure your documents are secure and legally binding. 

Legally binding contract templates in Oneflow

Don’t write contracts from scratch, use our free templates in Oneflow

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4. Sign anytime, anywhere, on any device

Whether you’re hiring someone from across the city or halfway across the world, they can sign in seconds from their phone, tablet, or laptop.

5. Go paperless – and contribute to the environment!

Ditching paper contracts helps reduce waste and lower your company’s carbon footprint. Every digital signature is a step toward sustainability.

Read also: Digital signature vs electronic signature: A complete guide

6. Never lose a contract again

Forget searching through piles of paperwork. Digital contracts are neatly stored and easy to retrieve when you need them.

7. Fully legal and compliant

E-signatures are legally recognized in many parts of the world.

What to watch out for when using e-signatures

E-signatures are awesome, but here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Check your country’s laws – While e-signatures are legal in most places, always confirm they meet local regulations.
• Use a secure platform – Make sure your provider offers encryption and document verification.
• Confirm if a witness is needed – Some contracts may still require a witness. Make sure your platform can handle that if necessary.

Final verdict: Should you switch to e-signatures?

Absolutely! E-signatures for employment agreements make hiring smoother, faster, and more secure. They cut costs, reduce paperwork headaches, and let businesses focus on what really matters—hiring great people. It’s time to ditch the old-school way of signing contracts and embrace the future. Want to learn more? Check out how Oneflow can help here: https://oneflow.com/solutions/hr/