Create your Employment Contract



RadDatePicker
Open the calendar popup.


Frequently Asked Questions

Why have a written Employment Contract?An Employment Contract clearly sets out the expectations, rights and obligations between an Employee and an Employer.

The problem with oral agreements is that they are difficult to prove. If a dispute arose, a court would have to hear evidence and decide whose version of the truth to accept. If there is a written agreement, courts will generally be obligated to uphold its terms even if they don't like them.

What is permanent or indefinite employment?An indefinite or permanent employment is where there is no specified termination or end date. The employment continues until either party gives appropriate notice.
What is fixed term employment?Fixed period or fixed term employment is where there is specified start and end date. There is no need to give notice of termination of employment as the employment automatically ends on the end date.

Customization

Built for
Different states have different rules and regulations. Your Employment Contract will be customized for .


Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Employment Contract affected by labor codes?The labor code in your state will override any terms in your Employment Contract that attempt to modified, waive or negate any provisions of that labor code.How will my Employment Contract will be customized?The laws of the state you select will be used to enforce this agreement and will be used to help resolve any disputes.

Place of Work

(e.g. 1101-12 St., Chicago, IL)




Frequently Asked Questions

Why mention other possible work locations?The Employee is only required to regularly travel to those work places or types of places mentioned. For example, hiring someone to work in your main office would not normally be expected to be travelling across the country most of the time.What if I don't have all my information right now?If you dont have all your information immediately available then leave an answer empty and a blank line will be temporarily inserted in your document so that you may preview the partially completed document. Be sure to fill in all information before you print a final version so that your final document is as complete as possible.

Employer

(e.g. ABC Landscaping, etc.)

(e.g. 1101-12 St., Chicago, IL)

(e.g. 918-432-4321)

(e.g. employer@company.com)



Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the Employer?The Employer is the party which is hiring and paying individuals or organizations to perform work on the Employer’s behalf. Employers are responsible for controlling and directing the work performed by the Employees. Who is the Employee?The Employee is the individual or organization who has been hired and paid to work on the Employer’s behalf.

Employee

(e.g. James Tiberius Smith)

(e.g. 1101-12 St., Chicago, IL)

(e.g. 918-432-4321)

(e.g. employee@company.com)


Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the Employee?The Employee is the individual or organization who has been hired and paid to work on the Employer’s behalf. Who is the Employer?The Employer is the party which is hiring and paying individuals or organizations to perform work on the Employer’s behalf. Employers are responsible for controlling and directing the work performed by the Employees.

Position

(e.g. carpenter, secretary, etc.)


(e.g. Onsite supervision of construction crew,
Coordinate meetings and prepare reports and other documents, etc.)


Frequently Asked Questions

Can the Employee's duties and obligations change over time?Yes, the Employee's duties and obligations may change over time as the strengths and weaknesses of the Employee are identified and as the work experience of the Employee continues to grow.

Probationary Period



Frequently Asked Questions

What is a probationary period?A probationary period is a limited period of time, after the start date, during which either party has the right to terminate the agreement. In some jurisdictions, termination can occur without notice or compensation (other than wages owed for hours of work already completed).

Select a probationary period that is appropriate for the labor code in your jurisdiction. Many jurisdictions allow up to 3 months probation. If you select a probationary period that is greater than that permitted by law then, a judge could strike that clause from the contract or may reduce this period to a more appropriate amount.
There is no statutory prescribed maximum probationary period in any jurisdiction in Canada. However, the employer must meet minimum employment standards. Once an employee in has worked at least usually 3 months., the employee is entitled to a statutory minimum notice of termination.The maximum probationary period in Australia under the Fair Work Act 209 is 12 months if the Employer is a small business employer (15 employees or less) or 6 months if the Employer is NOT a small business employer.

An Employer will typically select 3 or 6 months.

A probationary period in Australia doesn't affect an employee's entitlement under the National Employment Standards (NES) such as notice of termination.
There is no maximum probationary period in . However, an employee's statutory employment rights exist from day one. For example, after one month of continuous employment, the employee is entitled to one week of notice of termination.

A probationary period of 3 or 6 months is typical.
What is the maximum probationary period allowed?There is no maximum probationary period under the U.S. Fair Labor Standards Act.

Compensation




(e.g. 10.00)


Frequently Asked Questions

Which amounts are affected by selecting the currency?All monetary amounts in the Contract will be in the selected currency. Provide all details of the commission formula including the currency where appropriate.

Compensation Payment





Frequently Asked Questions

How does "Time Off in Lieu" work?With time off in lieu, you later get to take off one hour for each hour worked overtime. As compared to being paid overtime, you get paid 1.5x for each hour worked.

Vacation



Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum vacation time per year?Ensure that you are providing at least the minimum vacation period required by law.What if the selected amount doesn't meet the minimum period required by law?If a contract didn't meet the minimum legal requirements, a judge could increase the vacation period to a more appropriate time period. This Contract provides that the vacation is the greater of the amount mentioned in the Contract and the amount of paid vacation as entitled by law.The holiday year has a start date and an end date in which holidays accrue and are taken. (e.g. start date of 1st of January and end date of 31st of December)The Working Time Regulations of 1998 impose an obligation on employers to ensure that employees do not work more than an average of 48 hours per week.

Confidentiality, Non-Solicitation and Non-Competition Clauses

After termination, the Employee will have to maintain confidentiality for this period.


After termination, the Employee cannot solicit the Employer's employees during this period.


During employment as well as after termination, the Employee cannot participate in a competing venture for this period.


Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Confidentiality Clause?Confidentiality Clause
An Employer can protect their confidential information by including a clause in the Employment Contract that says that all Confidential Information including work product belongs to the Employer. Confidential Information is broadly defined to protect everything from trade secrets to customer lists.

Confidentiality Period
Confidentiality obligations can be for a fixed period or can be indefinite until the confidential information enters the public domain and becomes public knowledge. If a fixed term is selected then remember that confidentiality protection ceases after the period has lapsed. Once the confidentiality period is over the Employee can then use or disclose the Confidential Information in any way they choose without the permission of the Employer.

What is a Non-Solicitation Clause?Non-Solicitation Clause
A non-solicitation clause prevents the employee from inducing other employees or contractors from leaving the employer or from interfering with the employer's relationship with other employees in general. This means that the Employee cannot invite the Employer's other employees to move to another workplace.

Courts MAY NOT enforce a non-solicitation clause if:
- the clause could be harmful to the public (e.g. if it could depress the local economy);
- the clause is broader than necessary to protect the Employer;
- the clause has unreasonable time and geographic restrictions.

What is a Non-Competition Clause?Non-Competition Clause
A non-competition clause prevents the Employee from unfairly competing with the Employer after the employment is terminated.

Remember: Courts MAY NOT enforce a non-competition clause if:
- the clause could be harmful to the public (if it restricts commerce and depresses the local economy);
- the clause is broader than necessary to protect the Employer;
- the clause would cause undue hardship on the Employee (too difficult for the Employee to find a new job); or
- the clause has unreasonable time or geographic restrictions.

As a matter of public policy, courts have said that a former employee cannot be prevented from working in their chosen trade except to the extent that is necessary to protect the previous employer. A non-competition clause may be upheld however where a former employee could have found reasonable employment that was not in direct competition with the former employer.

In general, when deciding whether to include a non-compete clause, it would be unfair to restrict the future employment of an average employee (carpenter or secretary) who does not have access to confidential information.

Miscellaneous Terms



You can add an additional clause if there is some information, details, terms, conditions or restrictions that the document doesn't have but you want.



Frequently Asked Questions

What if there is a pre-existing employment agreement?Where an employment agreement already exists between the Employer and the Employee, this Agreement will supersede the old agreement. All duties, obligations and liabilities of the old agreement will be void and no longer enforceable.The Employer, the Employee, Commencement Date, Probationary Period, Compensation, Confidential Information, etc. were defined in this Employment Contract. Try to use any such defined names in your additional clauses.

Do not use several names to refer to the same person or thing. It could cause confusion and ambiguity by seeming that you are introducing new or different people or items.

Do not use pronouns such as: they, us, we, our, you, or me. Pronouns may be ambiguous and can cause confusion.

Miscellaneous tips for Additional ClausesDo not abbreviate words.

Use numerals, not words, to denote amounts.

Try not to repeat or contradict what has already been stated in the bill of sale.

Only put one paragraph per additional clause.

Click here for additional tips
Plain English means language that is simple and conveys ideas with the greatest possible clarity and avoids using legalese.

Legalistic StylePlain English
at the present time now
due to the fact that because; since
during such time aswhile
for the duration ofduring
inasmuch asbecause; since
in the event thatif
notwithstanding the fact that although; even if
prior to before
pursuant to under; in accordance with
subsequent toafter
that certaina
with reference toabout


Termination Notice

The purpose of notice is to reduce the hardship of termination on the other party. Notice will provide the Employee time to find other employment or the Employer time to find a replacement employee.





Frequently Asked Questions

Notice an Employer must give the Employee?The notice period (or pay in lieu of notice) that an Employer will give an Employee when it is terminating the Employee without cause. Generally, the longer an employee has worked for the Employer the longer the notice he would be given. This notice period must be greater than any statutory minimum notice. What is the statutory minimum notice of termination?There is no minimum amount of notice of termination under the U.S. Fair Labor Standards Act. Other than with mass layoffs, there is no statutory requirements as to the amount of notice that an employer must give for terminating an employee in the USA.Under the National Employment Standards (NES), if an employer terminates the employment of a permanent employee they must provide at least the following notice:

1 week - 0 to1 year of continuous service
2 weeks - 1 to 3 years of continuous service
3 weeks - 3 to 5 years of continuous service
4 weeks - more than 5 years of continuous service.

If the employee is over 45 years old and has completed at least 2 years' continuous service with the employer they're entitled to an extra week of notice.
The statutory minimum notice of termination in is:

* One week after one month but before two years;
* One week for each year after two years but before 12 years;
* 12 weeks after 12 years.
In most provinces, the employment/labour standards allow for no notice of termination for fixed term contracts where the employee has been hired for a specific term or task of 12 months or less, unless the employer is ending the contract before its fixed term. Statutory notice will be required if the employee works beyond the date specified in the fixed term contract or the fixed term is for longer than 12 months or the employee is employeed on a succession of fixed term contracts.Does the Employer have to give notice if there is sufficient cause to terminate?In most jurisdictions if there is sufficient "cause", the employer may terminate the employee without any obligation to provide notice or pay in lieu of notice. However, the employer must ensure that the reason for termination is properly communicated at the time of termination.

Some typical examples of sufficient cause are dishonesty, disloyalty, insubordination, lateness/absenteeism, disruption of business of affairs, alcohol or drug use, incompetence, neglect of duty, criminal or immoral conduct and sexual harassment. Note that the employer may ultimately have to prove to a court (or other tribunal) that there was sufficient cause for termination.
Notice an Employee must give the Employer?The length of notice that an Employee should give to an Employer would ideally give the Employer enough time to find and train a replacement employee. Notice required of an Employee must be reasonable. An Employee could not be compelled to work where conditions are hostile or unsafe or where a future employment opportunity is pending and put at risk.

Check the statutory requirements in your jurisdiction.

Signing Details



Frequently Asked Questions

What if I am unsure when it will be signed?By selecting "unsure" for the question "Date Agreement to be Signed", you will get a blank line in the Agreement which you can fill in the correct date after you have printed the document and are actually ready to sign it.How many copies should I print?Normally, you should print two copies. The Employer and the Employee would sign both copies and each keep one of them.