Abstract
The article deals with the concept and distinctive features of an employment contract, which resulted in separating such a contract from hiring and other civil contracts in the Republic of Kazakhstan (personal performance by an employee of work on a certain qualification, specialty, profession or position, compliance with the rules of internal labor regulations, etc.). The civil law contract of paid services generates a civil, rather than a labour relationship, and the person to render services under this civil law contract (contractor) has no rights and guarantees provided for by the Labour code of the Republic of Kazakhstan (annual leave with the average income, the payment of benefits for temporary disability, the inclusion of these activities in employment records, etc.).