Lancaster Contract Review Lawyers

The majority of people in Ohio are considered ‘at-will’ employees, which means their employer can fire them at any time, and for any reason. Other workers have an employment contract, which creates an exception to the at-will employment doctrine. Employment contracts outline the different details of the employment relationship and the rights and responsibilities of each party. If you have been asked to sign an employment contract or a severance agreement, or want to negotiate a new one with your employer, our Lancaster contract review lawyers can help.

Topics Addressed in Employment Contracts

Employment contracts can contain a number of provisions, including:

• Length of employment: Contracts may have a specific start and end date, and they may also state that the employment term will automatically renew if neither party provides notice of termination.
• Employment duties: Most employment contracts will outline the duties of the employee.
• Salary and benefits: Just as most contracts will outline the responsibilities of the employee, they will also likely include the salary and benefits the employee is to receive.
• Termination grounds: Employment contracts provide an exception to the at-will employment law and so, the document should include the grounds for termination.
• Arbitration: A provision that employees should be wary of, many employers try to include an arbitration clause in employment contracts. Arbitration waives the employee’s right to sue, keeps any disputes private, and will typically result in the employee receiving less in damages if there is a breach of contract.
• Non-compete clauses: Employers often want to ensure that contracted employees will not leave to go work for the competition, or start their own competitive business and so, they include a non-compete clause.

A Lancaster contract review lawyer will ensure that the proper provisions are included in the agreement and that you are not forfeiting your rights.

Severance Agreements

Severance agreements are sometimes offered at the end of a person’s employment, or before it begins. These agreements provide employees with monetary compensation in the event that they are terminated in exchange for a number of promises from the employee. A severance statement may require the employee to:

• Waive their right to sue
• Keep the details of the termination confidential
• Refrain from making disparaging remarks about the employer
• Refrain from working in a competitive business
• Not work for the company in the future

Severance agreements cannot include a provision prohibiting employees from reporting complaints to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or the Ohio Civil Rights Commission. However, they can prohibit employees from receiving any financial compensation as a result of the complaint.

Our Ohio Employment Lawyers can Review Your Employment Contracts

If you have been asked to sign an employment contract, or you want to negotiate new terms with your employer, our Lancaster contract review lawyers at Marshall Forman & Schlein LLC can help. Our knowledgeable attorneys understand what employers can include in these contracts, and what terms may cause an issue in the future. Call us today or contact us online so we can review your employment agreements and ensure that they protect your rights.