Crossword Genius

You and me have period of employment (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

usage

'employment' is the definition.
('usage' can be a synonym of 'employment')

'you and me have period' is the wordplay.
'you and me' becomes 'us'.
'have' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'period' becomes 'age' (I've seen this before).
'us'+'age'='USAGE'

'of' is the link.

(Other definitions for usage that I've seen before include "Habit" , "Acceptable language" , "Customary way in which language is spoken or written" , "Customary practice" , "Common practice" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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