In essence, an employment contract is an agreement between an employee and an employer. It is also a legal document defining many facets of an employment relationship. More and more businesses in New York have begun to make use of these employment law documents because they protect employers and workers alike. When a well-drafted contract is in place, it can prevent misunderstandings or disputes that may otherwise lead to litigation.
As employment law professionals, we generally approve of fair and balanced written agreements between workers and their superiors. However, we like to caution all involved parties to make certain such documents do not violate anyone’s rights. One way to accomplish this is by having the contract reviewed by an employment law attorney.
Having a lawyer examine the document benefits both businesses and workers. For example, a careful review assists business owners in identifying unreasonable or even unlawful contract clauses that might eventually result in employee-initiated litigation. On the employee end, a contract evaluation can help workers weigh the possible risks against the benefits of accepting employment.
To help you decide if you need a lawyer to look over your contract, here are a few basic yet crucial elements all employment agreements should contain:
- Clear description of the position and its duties
- Clear description of the company’s termination guidelines
- Clear definition of the position’s pay and benefits
- Clear outline of the job’s performance requirements
- Clear language defining severance pay guidelines
We repeated the use of the word “clear” to illustrate the need to use simple and easy-to-understand language at all times. Doing so helps all parties avoid misunderstandings that could cause a break in the working relationship. Please visit us online to learn how an employment law attorney can help workers and employers address contract issues with or without the use of litigation.