What is an Employment Contract?

Employment contracts can be good for employees and employers. They can provide job security and transparency between parties. But they can also contain many dangers for employees who sign a contract and they haven’t carefully read the fine print.

Having an experienced Seattle employment lawyer to review your employment contract is invaluable. An attorney can point out pitfalls and potential issues that could harm your salary and career.

What Should You Look for Before Signing an Employment Contract?

Termination clause: The most valuable part of an employment contract for an employee is how termination procedures are handled. A contract may state that you are guaranteed employment for three years, but the fine print could say that you could be fired for failure to perform — and then not define what failure to perform means. It’s also important to know what severance package is coming in the event of termination.

Compensation: It is important that salary and benefits be detailed. Some contracts may state that a Seattle employer can change salary and benefits at whim. You could find yourself taking large salary cuts, seeing your benefits changed, or being relocated to a remote region. It is very important that compensation and benefits are detailed and transparent in the employment contract.

Escape clause: Making sure you have an option to exit a company without problems is important. Many employment contracts today come with non-compete clauses, and these should be read very carefully. If leaving your industry for a year or two when you quit your job is not an option, try to renegotiate this part of the contract and if your prospective employer won’t budge, you may consider passing on the job.

Free eBook: The Washington State Guide to Severance & Employment Contracts

Washington State employment laws are complicated and often difficult to understand. To help Washington residents navigate the process with confidence, our firm created The Washington State Guide to Severance & Employment Contracts. We take the most important concepts and break them into easy to understand books and resources. After reading the book you will be able to make important decisions as you choose if you want to file a lawsuit.

Download A FREE Copy of Premier Law Group’s Guide to Employment and Severance Contracts

In your FREE copy of this eBook, you will discover…

  • What severance pay is… and what it isn’t
  • Hot tips for negotiating your employment contract
  • Your rights as a worker, whether you have a contract or not
  • Hiring the right lawyer for your employment case

Why You Should Choose Premier Law Group

Premier Law Group’s experienced employment attorneys will help put the power back in your hands. If you sign your contract without knowing all the facts, you could be signing away job security, thousands of dollars, and your quality of life. Premier Law Group of Seattle, Bellevue, Renton and Federal Way can review your employment documents, potentially saving you money as well as the integrity of your career. You don’t deserve to be a victim of your employer. Give us a call at 206-285-1743 to schedule your consultation today.