Should You Sign An Employment Contract In Harrisburg?
Finding a new job can prove challenging and may involve countless hours scanning job openings online, filling out resumes, and going to interviews. Once you are offered a position, there are still some important steps you need to take before starting the job. One of these may involve signing an employment contract.
Employment contracts in Harrisburg help to protect your rights and clarify expectations on behalf of both you and your employer. Before signing one, find out more about what they contain and how it could impact you in your new job.
What Employment Contracts Contain
Employment contracts are used in a wide range of fields and occupations. They generally detail the terms of your employment and spell out pertinent terms that could impact your rights.
An employment contract represents a certain amount of job security but it will not keep you from getting fired. Pennsylvania is an ‘at will’ employment state, businesses are generally permitted to fire workers for any reason or even for no reason at all with certain exceptions.
An employment contract may provide some protection by specifying the duration of the job, the employer’s expectations, and what happens if it does not work out. Specific areas it is likely to address include:
- Your official position with the company;
- Your rate of pay;
- Vacation time, stock options, and other benefits;
- Any health, life, disability, and other group insurance available;
- Qualifications in completing the job;
- Your rights regarding general safety on the job and grievance policies;
- Any severance packages available;
- Non-disclosure agreements and other contractual obligations that pertain both to your time with the company and in the event you move on to another position. .
Use Caution When Signing Employee Contracts
As with any type of properly executed contract, an employment contract is considered a legally binding document under the Pennsylvania Code. This means that once you sign it, you are required to adhere to the terms. Failure to do so could have serious ramifications, including fines and the potential to be sued by the employer.
Take your time in signing an employment contract in Harrisburg and consider discussing it with an experienced legal professional first. Issues we can help to address include:
- Clarify key points in the contract;
- Explain any complex legal wording it contains;
- Ensure the contract conforms to local, state, and federal employment laws;
- Warn you about specific clauses or conditions it contains that may not be in your best interests;
- Advise you on issues it does not address and help in renegotiating the terms.
Request A Consultation With Our Harrisburg Employment Contract Lawyer
An employment contract can provide a level of career security by clarifying the terms surrounding your relationship with your employer and helping to protect your rights on the job. However, before signing one, review it with Ira H. Weinstock, P.C. first. To request a consultation with our Harrisburg employment contract lawyer, call or contact us online today.
Sources:
dced.pa.gov/business-assistance/international/trade/labor-workforce/
pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pacode?file=/secure/pacode/data/055/chapter4300/s4300.139.html&d=reduce
