Entering contracted work can be tricky for both parties, particularly if this is a first time for either the employer or the employee. This article covers considerations you ought to make when signing a new employment contract for both parties.
Who Needs an Employment Contract?
Anyone who wants to enter into an agreement of employment should sign a contract first. This means an individual employee or an outsourced company offering services in a sub-contract capacity. This type of legal document outlines your rights and responsibilities regarding the work you will take out.
What Should an Employment Contract Contain?
The contract ought to contain a set of written rights and interests of both parties. The information it contains should include an outline of what both should expect from each other. This might mean covering working hours assigned each week, holiday time, sick pay, and any other contract information.
As an employee
Look for the following information:
- Your job title and description
- Accurate address and contact details.
- The work schedule.
- Salaries, bonuses, and any other financial recompense for your time.
As an employer
Be sure your contract covers every aspect of working for you. Everything from the expected targets to the health and safety laws in your region. In fact, hiring a professional to help you create a legally sound contract. When you chose to see an employment lawyer initial consultations are often free, so you shouldn’t lose out. They can help you with a myriad of other employment obligations, too.
Other Considerations Regarding Your New Employment Contract
There are other things to think about before you sign, or before you agree to draw up a contract.
As an employee
Consider the following:
- The contract should cover ownership of intellectual property.
- Look at the benefits packages to assess enticing deals.
- Make sure you read the job description thoroughly. If there are parts of it that you do not agree to, ask to have that detail changed before you sign it.
- Don’t limit your job hunt based solely on the contract. Remember to ask about things like potential for future promotions, insurance, and retirement packages, too. If possible, have the employer add these to the contract.
- Remember, if you were headhunted then the ball is in your court.
As an employer
Consider the following:
- Outlining anti-discrimination clauses from the outset can help disperse problems before they begin.
- Clearly discussing the rate of pay and the options for improvement will entice new employees.
- Including how your business handles disputes and what the escalation process is.
- Mentioning how you handle employee data is becoming increasingly important in the digital workplace.
Can You Change the Contract Later?
Lastly, remember that either party can try to amend the contract if the other party agrees to it. This must be done before you sign anything since afterwards it is far harder to, although not impossible. You will need the changes signed by both parties. This is why it is essential to plan exactly what you want to say as an employer and know what you agree to as an employee.
