Employment Contract Template
A contract of employment are often loaded with legalese that is not easy to understand in most situations. In addition to this, contracts presented as offers of employment are regularly made in a manner that creates the impression that they are not open for negotiation. It understandable that most people find it easier to sign now and figure it out later. However, there are certain key clauses that you have to consider, and negotiate on if needed, before signing an employment contract. Doing so will save you (and your employer) a lot of uncertainty, potential cost, and conflict down the road.
Compensation Agreement
The compensation agreement in your employment contract could be a straightforward salary amount, in which case you just have to ensure that you are satisfied with your compensation. However, compensation often comes in other forms as well. If your contract offers bonuses/commission/incentives, be sure to look at how and when those amounts become payable to you. Are there fixed, set, and achievable performance measures that will allow you to gain the bonus? Or is the bonus a matter of your employer’s discretion? And are the performance targets set for you similar for other employees in similar situations? Another form of compensation that might be included in your agreement is employer contributions to your health insurance, commuter transit costs, or even retirement plan. If that is the case, ensure that you understand the terms and conditions tied to these forms of compensation. In a startup context, compensation often also includes equity. If that is the case, ensure that you understand any vesting/forfeiture provisions that affect your equity.
Confidentiality Agreements
Most employment agreements contain some form of a confidentiality clause that obliges employees not to disclose company information. Even though this is to be expected, be sure to scrutinize the clause in your employment contract carefully. You will want to be certain you know exactly what is included and what is excluded under this provision, and the time period for which you are bound by it. You do not want to be in breach of contract later because you misunderstood the confidentiality clause.
Non-Compete Agreements
A non-compete clause is usually also a standard term in an employment contract, although the enforceability of non-compete clauses is a controversial and complicated legal issue. Be sure to clarify what the scope (in terms of time and geographical area) of your non-compete clause is.
Ownership of Intellectual Property
Most employment agreements contain a provision by which all products of your work remains the intellectual property of the company (and not your own). This is a reasonable term. However, sometimes these clauses are drafted so widely that they also cover anything you do in your free time, or that you did before commencing employment. If that is the case, negotiate for a more constrained and fair clause.
Termination
It is important to understand what kind of employment contract you are being offered. If it is an at-will employment contract, you can be terminated at any time and without just cause. You should set notice periods where team members leaving should provide at least two weeks notice to aide transitions. Ideally, you should negotiate for a contract with a just-cause termination clause, which will mean that you cannot be terminated at the whim of your employer.
Other Terms to Focus On
Other things you should give consideration to include things like:
- Sick leave (how much time you’re willing to afford your new team members for potential illnesses)
- Vacation & time off (how much time you’re willing to give new team members)
- Job titles (you can specify titles as they suit you, your team member’s aspirations, and the staff you already have)
- Non-disclosure agreements (if there are specific aspects you wish to remain private about the business, it’s best to have team members sign an NDA)
Your Signing experience is worth celebrating!
ApproveMe is easy document signing for busy people. Built on the belief that every new agreement with a customer or client should be celebrated.
Offer Letter
[Date] [Employee Name] [Employee Address] Dear [Employee Name], I am pleased to confirm our verbal offer of employment to you for a regular full-time position with [Employer Name] as a [Position Title], effective [Date Employment to Begin]. As discussed, this offer is conditional upon completion of satisfactory references that could include, but is not necessarily limited to, a review of past employment and education records. The details of our offer, including the terms and conditions of your employment, are attached as Schedule “A.” Please take the time to carefully review our offer. This letter, along with the enclosed schedules, outlines the obligations of both [Employer Name] and yourself with respect to your employment conditions, and is governed by the laws of the State of [State]. It details the terms and conditions of your employment with [Employer Name], and will form our agreed upon employment contract with you once signed. Accepting employment will be conditional upon agreeing to and signing the attached copy of this letter and the attached Schedule(s), initialing each page in the right-hand corner, and returning it to me upon your earliest convenience, but prior to your first day of employment. [Employee Name], we look forward to welcoming you to the [Employer Name] team and wish you a successful and rewarding career with us. Sincerely, [Employer Name of Person Sending Letter] [Title of Employer Name of Person Sending Letter] I, [Employee Name], acknowledge that I have read, understood and accept this offer and the terms and conditions contained in the attached Schedule(s), and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of employment as outlined therein. ___________________________________________ _______________________ Signature Date Schedule A [Employer Name] Terms and Conditions of Employment The following outlines the terms and conditions of employment with [Employer Name]. The Company reserves the right to change these terms and conditions as necessary, with due notice. Title [Position Title] Initial Reporting Relationship [Name of Immediate Manager] Responsibilities A copy of your position description and job responsibilities is attached as Schedule “B.” While employed by the Company, you agree to work on a full-time basis exclusively for the Company and agree that you shall not, while you are employed by the Company, be employed or engaged in any capacity, in promoting, undertaking or carrying on any other business that competes with the Company or interferes or could reasonably interfere with your duties to the Company without our prior written permission. Salary $______________ per year Status Full-time Start Date [Date Employment to Begin] End Date [Date Employment to End] Hours of Work The company’s core hours of operation are Monday to Friday from _______ to ______. Employees are expected to work a minimum of ______ hours per week. Overtime Payment of overtime, for overtime eligible positions, will be paid for all hours worked in excess of _____ hours within one week. Payroll Schedule Your salary will be paid to you on a [weekly/biweekly/semimonthly/monthly] basis, less required deductions, (through direct deposit) OR (by check). Vacation You will be entitled to _____ weeks of vacation annually. /OR You will accrue vacation at a rate of ______ days per month. Any further increase is subject to policy. Vacation is to be taken at such time as is determined by or acceptable to the Company. Benefits You shall be entitled to participate in all benefit plans of [Employer Name] as may be made available to employees of [Employer Name] from time to time for which you are eligible. You will receive complete details of all benefits plans as part of your new employee orientation, and enrollment will take place (immediately) OR (once you meet the eligibility criteria). Travel As per the requirements of your position, you will be expected to travel up to _____% of the time. Probationary Period To assess your fit within [Employer Name], the first three (3) months of your employment will constitute a probationary period. At any time during this probationary period, [Employer Name] may terminate your employment without cause and without advance notice or pay in lieu of notice. If this occurs, we would have no further obligation to you, financial or otherwise. Policies and Standards [Employer Name] has established a variety of policies and standards that ensure a safe, enjoyable working environment. During the period of your employment with us, you agree to be bound by these policies and standards, and any future policies and standards that are reasonably introduced by the Company. It is agreed that the introduction and administration of these policies is within the sole discretion of [Employer Name] and that these policies do not form a part of this Agreement. It is agreed that if [Employer Name] introduces, amends or deletes employment-related policies as conditions warrant that such introduction, deletion or amendment does not constitute a breach of this Agreement. Confidentiality and Intellectual Property Our offer of employment is conditional upon you agreeing to and abiding by the “Confidentiality and Proprietary Information Agreement.” Attached Schedule “C.” Non Solicitation You hereby agree that, while you are employed by [Employer Name] and for one (1) year following the termination of your employment with [Employer Name], you will not (i) recruit, attempt to recruit or directly or indirectly participate in the recruitment of, any [Employer Name] employee or (ii) directly or indirectly solicit, attempt to solicit, canvass or interfere with any customer or supplier of [Employer Name] in a manner that conflicts with or interferes in the business of [Employer Name] as conducted with such customer or supplier. Representation You hereby represent and warrant to [Employer Name] that you are not party to any written or oral agreement with any third party that would restrict your ability to enter into this Agreement or the Confidentiality and Proprietary Information Agreement or to perform your obligations hereunder and that you will not, by joining [Employer Name], breach any non-disclosure, proprietary rights, non-competition, non-solicitation or other covenant in favor of any third party. Changes to Duties and/or Compensation If your duties or compensation should change during the course of your employment with Company, the validity of our agreement will not be affected. In addition, if one or more of the provisions in our agreement are deemed void by law, then the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect. Resignation Should you wish to resign your employment with [Employer Name], you will be required to provide _____ weeks’ written notice to enable us transition your work. Termination Company may terminate your employment at any time for cause. After the end of your probationary period, Company may terminate your employment without cause at any time by providing you with the minimum notice. Legal Advice If you are uncertain about the contents of this offer, we suggest that it may be advisable to seek independent legal advice prior to signing. Schedule B Job Description Schedule C Employee Covenants Confidentiality and Proprietary Information Agreement In consideration of employment as an employee or engagement as an independent contractor with [Employer Name] (the “Company”), the undersigned (the “Participant”) agrees and covenants as follows: 1. Employment with the Company as an employee or engagement with the Company as an independent contractor, as the case may be (the “Engagement”), will give the Participant access to proprietary and confidential information belonging to the Company, its customers, its suppliers and others (the proprietary and confidential information is collectively referred to in this Agreement as “Confidential Information”). Confidential Information includes but is not limited to customer lists, marketing plans, proposals, contracts, technical and/or financial information, databases, software and know-how. All Confidential Information remains the confidential and proprietary information of the Company. 2. As referred to herein, the “Business of the Company” shall relate to the business of the Company as the same is determined by the Board of Directors of the Company from time to time. 3. The Participant may in the course of the Engagement conceive, develop or contribute to material or information related to the Business of the Company, including, without limitation, software, technical documentation, ideas, inventions (whether or not patentable), hardware, know-how, marketing plans, designs, techniques, documentation and records, regardless of the form or media, if any, on which such is stored (referred to in this Agreement as “Proprietary Property”). The Company shall exclusively own all Proprietary Property which the Participant conceives, develops or contributes to in the course of the Engagement and all intellectual and industrial property and other rights of any kind in or relating to the Proprietary Property, including but not limited to all copyright, patent, trade secret and trade-mark rights in or relating to the Proprietary Property. For greater certainty, the Participant hereby assigns to the Company any and all rights that the Participant may have or obtain in or to the Proprietary Property. Material or information conceived, developed or contributed to by the Participant outside work hours on the Company’s premises or through the use of the Company’s property and/or assets shall also be Proprietary Property and be governed by this Agreement if such material or information relates to the Business of the Company. The Participant shall keep full and accurate records accessible at all times to the Company relating to all Proprietary Property and shall promptly disclose and deliver to the Company all Proprietary Property. 4. The Participant shall, both during and after the Engagement, keep all Confidential Information and Proprietary Property confidential and shall not use any of it except for the purpose of carrying out authorized activities on behalf of the Company. The Participant may, however, use or disclose Confidential Information which: (i) is or becomes public other than through a breach of this Agreement; (ii) is known to the Participant prior to the date of this Agreement and with respect to which the Participant does not have any obligation of confidentiality; or (iii) is required to be disclosed by law, whether under an order of a court or government tribunal or other legal process, provided that Participant informs the Company of such requirement in sufficient time to allow the Company to avoid such disclosure by the Participant. The Participant shall return or destroy, as directed by the Company, Confidential Information and Proprietary Property to the Company upon request by the Company at any time. The Participant shall certify, by way of affidavit or statutory declaration, that all such Confidential Information and Proprietary Property has been returned or destroyed, as applicable. 5. The Participant covenants and agrees not to make any unauthorized use whatsoever of or to bring onto the Company’s premises for the purpose of making any unauthorized use whatsoever of any trade secrets, confidential information or proprietary property of any third party, including without limitation any trade-marks or copyrighted materials, during the course of the Engagement. The Participant agrees and represents that the Engagement and the execution of this Agreement do not and will not breach any agreement to which the Participant is currently a party or which currently applies to the Participant. 6. At the reasonable request and at the sole expense of the Company, the Participant shall do all reasonable acts necessary and sign all reasonable documentation necessary in order to ensure the Company’s ownership of the Proprietary Property and all intellectual and industrial property rights and other rights in the same, including but not limited to providing to the Company written assignments of all rights to the Company and any other documents required to enable the Company to document rights to and/or register patents, copyrights, trade-marks, industrial designs and such other protections as the Company considers advisable anywhere in the world. 7. The Participant hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives all moral rights the Participant may now or in the future have in any Proprietary Property. 8. The Participant agrees that the Participant will, if requested from time to time by the Company, execute such further reasonable agreements as to confidentiality and proprietary rights as the Company’s customers or suppliers reasonably required to protect Confidential Information or Proprietary Property. 9. Regardless of any changes in position, salary or otherwise, including, without limitation, termination of the Engagement, unless otherwise stipulated pursuant to the terms hereof, the Participant will continue to be subject to each of the terms and conditions of this Agreement and any other(s) executed pursuant to the preceding paragraph. 10. The Participant agrees that the Participant’s sole and exclusive remedy for any breach of this Agreement or any other agreement by the Company will be limited to monetary damages and that the Participant will not make any claim in respect of any rights to or interest in any Confidential Information or Proprietary Property. 11. The Participant acknowledges that the services provided by the Participant to the Company are unique. The Participant further agrees that irreparable harm will be suffered by the Company in the event of the Participant’s breach or threatened breach of any of his or her obligations under this Agreement, and that the Company will be entitled to seek, in addition to any other rights and remedies that it may have at law or equity, a temporary or permanent injunction restraining the Participant from engaging in or continuing any such breach hereof. Any claims asserted by the Participant against the Company shall not constitute a defense in any injunction action, application or motion brought against the Participant by the Company. 12. This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of [State] and the Participant agrees to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of [State]in relation to this Agreement. 13. If any provision of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable, that provision shall be deleted and the other provisions shall remain in effect. IN WITNESS WHEREOF the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed as of the ___ day of _______________, 20__. Signed in the presence of: PARTICIPANT NAME: WITNESS to PARTICIPANT NAME:
To Access the full contract
Unlock lifetime-access to this contract and 100+ more templates, today!
or
Unlock lifetime-access to this contract and 100+ more templates, today!
Only $99 bucks. Pay once. Unlimted access forever.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you write a simple Employment Contract?
A simple employment contract should include these sections:
-An introduction explaining what the contract is, who it's between, and what it covers.
-The terms of employment including salary, benefits, hours, etc.
-Termination clause including when either party can terminate the contract early for any reason.
-Confidentiality clause including how information about the company is handled and shared.
What should be included in an employment contract?
It should include:
- The duration of the contract
- The job description
- The employee’s responsibilities
- The company’s responsibilities
- The compensation package
- Any benefits offered by the company
- A list of any noncompete clauses or agreements, which may include confidentiality clauses, noncompete clauses, and nondisclosure agreements
What is simple contract employment?
A simple contract employment can take many forms, but most simply, it includes the job description, responsibilities of both parties, notice periods, remuneration, hours of work, holidays and sickness absence.
What is an employment agreement?
An employment agreement can be used to set out rules for things like termination, holidays, sick pay, maternity leave, pension contributions, etc. Employment agreements can vary from one company to another, so it is important for both parties to understand what they are signing up for before signing any contract.
What is an arbitration agreement for employment?
Non-binding agreements are often used for settlement purposes and are still legally enforceable, but they allow both parties to walk away from the agreement if they feel that it does not benefit them.
Binding agreements are more formal and have a higher legal standing. They cannot be walked away from once signed by both parties, but their enforcement is more difficult than with non-binding agreements.
Do you have an employment contract example?
Once you receive the template, review the terms and make sure they apply to your business, and add your specific information to the template.
What is a employment contract template?
The template can be created in different formats, so it is easier for the user to input their own information. The templates are designed to be customizable so that they can suit any business or individual's needs.
Who needs a employment contract template?
How to write a employment contract template
- The employment contract must be in writing and signed by both parties.
- The employment contract must contain the date of commencement and expiration of the contract.
- The employment contract must contain a statement that it is an enforceable agreement.
- You should include a provision for notice and termination of the employee.
- You should also include provisions for compensation, including salary, bonuses, commissions and benefits.
What must an employment contract template have?
An employment agreement may include provisions for the following:
1. The duration of the job, including any probationary period
2. The type of work to be done
3. The remuneration
4. Hours of work
5. Holiday entitlements
6. Notice periods
7. Severance pay
8. Sick pay
Do employment contract template’s have to be in writing?
It is important to have your word employment agreement template in writing so you can protect both parties and prevent possible disputes and misunderstandings. It is also a great way to make sure all parties remember the terms and conditions of their agreement and having it in writing is an excellent way to reference that information.
What should I put in my employment contract template?
One important thing to include in your employment contract template is a non-compete clause. This is a provision that prevents an employee from working for a competitor in the same industry after they have left your company.
How to make a employment contract template
How long are employment contract template good for?
Some businesses may need long-term contracts, while others might benefit from short-term contracts. You should consider which contract term length works best for your business before drafting an employment agreement template.
What are some employment contract template examples?
Why did ApproveMe.com create this free employment contract sample?
We want you to protect your business and yourself with high-quality, ready-to-sign contract and agreement templates!
If you liked this Employment Agreement Template,
you might also consider downloading these sample agreements 👇
Personal Loan Agreement Template
We've drawn up free personal loan agreement template word to help you as you to grow your client base. Download our free Word & PDF contract today.
Book Publishing Contract Template
We've designed sample book publishing contract template pdf to help you as you to scale your business. Download our free Word & PDF agreement today.
Service Agreement Template
We've created master service agreement template sample to help you as you to scale your business. Download our free editable Word doc contract today.
Prenuptial Agreement Template
We've got sample prenuptial agreement template word for you to use in your relationship. Protect your property. Download our free prenup Word doc & PDF contract today.
Vehicle Bill of Sale Template
We've designed a printable motor vehicle bill of sale template for Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) sales. Download our free legal PDF Word doc today.
Model Contract Template
We've designed model contract template agreement for photo shoot for photography business owners. Download our free editable PDF Word doc contract today.
Send Contracts in Minutes
Unlock the power of WP E-Signature on your website using your branding today!
Get Started Now