The recruitment process can be pretty grueling; reading through so many documents, enduring a few interviews, and hoping to get a job can be rather taxing. And even though you are likely eager to sign any employment contract that comes your way, there are a few crucial details that you should always check first. You don’t want to find yourself in a legal predicament after signing a contract that has a few red flags, such as a non-compete clause and others. Even though an expert non-compete agreement lawyer can assist you in such cases, always be sure to check for these details before signing an employment contract.
Hidden Clauses
Hidden clauses can be a legal struggle for you later on. For example, if you have signed a contract with a non-compete agreement, you might battle to find alternative employment later, especially if you are a specialized employee. Other hidden clauses to watch out for include ownership of work clauses and liability and indemnity clauses. These clauses can put you in legal jeopardy as a liability clause may dump the blame on you if a contract doesn’t go accordingly.
Job Title And Description
Always be sure that the job title and description match that of the vacant position and the interviews. There are many cases in which skilled employees sign contracts with faulty job titles and descriptions. This is a problem as contracts are legally binding, and the employer might be paying you less for your skills or taking advantage of your labor in another way.
Remuneration
Remuneration is the salary and any bonuses that will be owed to you. Be sure that the salary stated on your contract is the same as what you negotiated. If it is not, you won’t be able to argue this fact after signing the contract. Your contract should detail all your benefits, so be sure to check that other incentives such as health insurance are included in your contract.
Contract Length
Be sure to check the period of employment, when the contract starts, and when it ends. However, agreements for permanent positions won’t stipulate end dates. However, they will define other details such as notice period requirements and methods of legally terminating the contract. It is vital to know all these details before signing as you don’t want to find yourself unable to leave a company due to an odd notice period requirement.
Vacation And Sick Leave
Another vital detail you should check is the number of vacation days you receive per year. In addition, you should also check how many sick days you are entitled to and what other specifics surround your leave days. These details are generally regulated by the local law, although not all businesses will provide standard vacation and sick leave as there are several loopholes for employers. Furthermore, sick leave could impact other areas of the contract, such as termination, working hours, and notice period, so be sure you know what is stated in the contract before you sign.
