Employment Contracts and the Law

An employment contract is signed between an employee and employer and usually explain the role employees will perform, compensation, grounds for termination, and any benefits the employee will receive, along with other important information. Learn more about these complex documents and how to prepare them.
- EMPLOYMENT LAW GUIDE
- » Hiring Laws and Mistakes when Hiring
- » Laws Governing Termination Guide
- » Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
- » Discrimination in the Workplace
- ⇒ Employment Contracts and the Law
- » Freelancers and Independent Contractors
- » Wages and Overtime Pay
- » Suspensions and Demotions
- » Employee Healthcare and Retirement Funds
- » Guide to Employment Benefits
- » Whistleblower's Rights
- » How Can An Employment Lawyer Help You
Breach of Contract Legal Issues Involving Teachers
Contracts for employment bind teachers to an administration and a school district. Equally, these educators are provided the benefits and employment length of the legally binding agreement period, and this may entail laws, the offer, and other considerations that could affect the school board and the students.
Read moreCan a Recent Medical Diagnosis Make an Employment Contract Voidable?
When confronted with a medical condition that makes work difficult or impossible, it is important to consult with a supervisor and explain the situation fully. However, if the employer is unwilling to let the worker out of an employment contract, it may be necessary to hire a lawyer and resolve the matter through a different type of solution.
Read moreCommon Legal Issues Involved with Employment Contracts
Various legal issues with an employment contract generally include the provisions within the legally binding document along with the negotiations for better benefits. However, some legal problems occur because of contract breaches or the actions of the employer that are invalid or opposed to the stipulations of the contract clauses.
Read moreDangers of Having an Independent Contractor Sign a Non-Compete Agreement
Having an independent contractor sign a non-compete agreement is an option that some businesses consider because they want to protect their information from disclosure to another party, especially a competitor. However, taking this action can result in unforeseen and significant consequences.
Read moreEmployees Under Contract - Breach of Contract Issues
There are certain legal issues that may arise when hiring a contract employee rather than a standard worker through at-will rules in the country, and the business lawyer may need to help the employer through these hurdles. Additional issues can arise if the employee is an independent contractor rather than a standard employee.
Read moreEmployment Contract - Can I Renegotiate in the Middle of the Term?
Employment contracts usually have a certain period to renegotiate the terms, and the time to do this is usually at the ending of the current contract or when the employer wants to take on a new employee full-time rather than only temporary. Renegotiating terms in any other period is either not possible or requires the employer to initiate this type of contact.
Read moreEmployment Contracts - Provisions You Should Include
Employment contracts should include certain key details and provisions to include a confidentiality agreement, salary, contract start and end dates and various other items that the two parties work out. These terms and provisions can also explain when demotion, promotion or termination can occur along with what benefits the employee will receive.
Read moreExtending an Employment Contract for a Longer Term
Employment contracts for temp or short-term work generally have an unextendible end date, but the long-term contract may provide an opportunity to extend work far longer than the original end date in the contract terms. Negotiating a new contract or extended work with the initial contract is similar to the first time with the employer.
Read moreImplied Contract in Employment Law
Implied contracts exist in at-will employment states along with the potential for the company or the employee to sever the working relationship at any time for nearly any reason. However, there are certain complications to the implied contract with the employment laws where the business entity could face litigation.
Read moreNegotiating an Employment Contract
Negotiating an employment contract is often a grueling process that could provide the individual with great benefits while working when he or she understands what tips to follow. Many tips involve the compensation the person can earn to include bonuses, what benefits to seek and how many days off a year for vacation the employee can have.
Read moreTeaching Contracts: Minimum Amount of Notice Requirement If Contract Does Not Specify
Teaching jobs and other jobs in schools often work differently than other types of jobs. Teachers are usually provided with a contract for a year or longer during which they can depend on continued employment. However, they may receive notification that the school district plans not to renew their contract and may wonder about their legal rights in these situations.
Read moreTypes of Employment Contracts
There are certain types of employment contracts that can affect both the employer and the person hired by the company to include full-time and part-time contracts, fixed-term and agency staff employment, independent contractors and zero-hours employment. Depending on the contract, there are certain legal issues for either side.
Read moreWritten Employment Contracts - Pros and Cons
There are many benefits of having a written employment contract to include the pro of having the paperwork available to review and provide to a lawyer. However, there also disadvantages that can cause problems with the written contract between employer and employee such as a better understanding of termination and what the person must perform at the least amount.
Read moreNon-Compete Agreements and How a Lawyer Can Help
Non-compete agreements are a tool that many companies will use to prevent employees from taking business, working in the same industry and seeking employment with another company to compete against the original business. With these agreements comes certain provisions necessary to ensure enforceability in a court, and a lawyer’s assistance is significantly important.
Read moreSteps an Employer Can Take when an Employee Violates a Non-Compete Agreement
In order to protect certain business interests, some employers may choose to have employees sign a non-compete agreement. This agreement can prohibit certain conduct, such as working for a competitor for a specified period of time. However, sometimes employees violate the terms of such agreements and the business must consider how to react to this violation.
Read moreMinors Which May Legally Sign a Contract
Minors sign contracts occasionally, but these situations cause severe complications for a business if the employer is not family. However, there are certain instances where a minor is permitted to become involved in contractual obligations as if he or she were an adult facing the same choices.
Read moreIs It Legal for a School Not to Renew My Teaching Contract if I Reasonably Expected It to Continue?
When a teacher is contracted to work at a specific school, it is often reasonable to expect that his or her continued working relationship will provide for a renewed contract for future teaching. However, sometimes, the administration has determined that the teach is no longer the right fit at the end of the contract and may hire someone else.
Read moreEmployee's Using Their Own Smart Phones at Work: Legal Issues for Employers
Smart Employer Polices Concerning Smart Phones Could Save Lives and Money Smart phones are everywhere but pose legal risks for employers. Smart employers should establish and promulgate sensible cell phone use policies, such as "Bring Your Own Device" (BYOD) protocols, to avoid penalties, injuries -- even death.
Read moreGuide for Employers on Drafting and Enforcing Non-Compete Agreements
Non-compete agreements are becoming increasingly common in today’s competitive marketplace. These agreements provide greater protections for employers by allowing them to restrict the actions of employees after their service is terminated. Many employers contain non-compete provisions in their employment contracts and condition the job on signing an agreement of this nature.
Read more