Many mentoring relationships are informal arrangements where a respected person in the business takes a less experienced employee 'under their wing'. However, there are circumstances when the best approach is to enter into a formal agreement, signed by both parties. This particularly applies to larger companies where the mentor is external to the mentee's normal work environmental.

If you do decide to draw up a formal document, it is likely to include the following elements.

• mentor's name and contact details
  
  
• mentee's name and contact details
  
  
• overall objectives of the mentoring relationship
  
  
• expected duration of the arrangement
  
  
• timetable of meetings, including when and where they will be held, and how long they will last
  
  
• confidentiality clause.