As a business owner, you want to ensure that your employees are well taken care of and that everyone is on the same page regarding their job responsibilities. To ensure this, creating an employment agreement is crucial.
An employment agreement outlines the terms of the employee’s role and rights, such as duties and wages. It should also include certain protections for you and your employee (e.g., non-disclosure agreements). What should you have in your contract so you can set your company up for success?
Job description and duties of the employee
Outlining the job duties early on in the process will help both parties better understand what tasks are expected from the employee. This eliminates any ambiguity associated with individual tasks and, as a result, any future disagreement about what was expected of the employee.
Wage and benefits
Any agreement should address specific details like salary or hourly rates, overtime regulations, bonuses or commissions, health insurance coverage, retirement plans, and other compensation-related matters.
Non-disclosure, non-compete and other contractual agreements
Non-disclosure agreements provide assurance that confidential business information disclosed during the course of work is kept confidential. Furthermore, non-compete agreements ensure employers are not disadvantaged by employees leaving their company and entering similar industries. Other contractual agreements may include post-employment confidentiality obligations to protect the employer’s interests if any post-employment disputes arise.
Process for handling disputes or grievances
The employee agreement should outline what steps to follow if an employee has a complaint, such as when to involve supervisors or human resources staff. It should also provide instructions on submitting the grievance and specify timelines for resolutions or hearings.
Overall, the agreement is a mutually beneficial document containing legal terms between employer and employee. This agreement is instrumental in setting employees’ boundaries and expectations and helps protect employers from litigation.
