Lancaster Contract Review Attorney

Being offered an employment position is always an exciting thing, whether you have been unemployed for some time or are just moving to a different position. Employers often ask employment candidates to sign an employment agreement before they start the job, and too many people sign these without fully reviewing them. Sometimes, people do read the employment contract and sign it, even though they do not fully understand the terms outlined within it. It is then too late when they learn they have signed away their rights.

If you have been offered a job and the employer has asked you to sign an agreement, it is important to speak to a Lancaster contract review attorney. A lawyer will review the agreement to ensure it is fair and will help resolve any future disputes.

What is Included in an Employment Contract?

An employment contract can include many different terms. The most common of these are as follows:

• Salary: For many people, the salary they will receive is the most important part of any employment contract. An employment contract should also include any benefits, bonuses, retirement savings, and insurance policies that will be available to the employee.
• Dates: Every employment contract should include a start and end date of employment. These dates will protect an employee from wrongful termination.
• Non-compete clauses: Non-compete clauses prohibit employees from working for a competitor for a certain amount of time and often, within a certain radius of the current employer. Non-compete clauses are usually upheld in Lancaster courts, but they must be reasonable.
• Termination clauses: Like all other states, Ohio is governed by at-will employment law. This means employers can fire employees at any time, and largely for any reason. Contracted employees are usually not subject to this law, so it is critical that any employment contract includes reasonable grounds for termination.

A Lancaster contract review attorney will ensure any employment contract includes the above terms, and that they are fair.

When is an Employment Contract Enforceable?

Even when an employment contract is in place, employers sometimes violate the terms within it. In these cases, a legal dispute often arises and a judge must determine if the contract is enforceable. To be considered enforceable, it must meet the following requirements:

• Specifics: Courts will not usually uphold a contract that contains vague language. Any employment agreement should specifically address the responsibilities of any party entering into the contract.
• Exchange of goods or services: Contracts outline the exchange of one good or service for another good or service of equal value. Employment contracts stipulate that the worker agrees to work for the employer in exchange for a salary.
• Mutuality: Employment contracts must be entered into by all parties at the same time. An ongoing conversation about the terms of an agreement does not constitute a contact, even if that conversation is in writing.

Call Our Contract Review Attorney in Lancaster Today

If a potential employer has asked you to sign an employment agreement, do not hesitate to call our Lancaster contract review attorney today. At Marshall Forman & Schlein, our Lancaster contract review attorney will read your agreement to ensure it is fair, explain the terms to you, and if necessary, help you negotiate better terms. Call us today or contact us online to learn more about how we will put our experience to work for you.