A Russellville, Arkansas employment contract is an agreement where the employer and employee each intend to legally bind the other to particular conditions in the work relationship. In Arkansas, many employment contracts are negotiable to enable both parties to arrive at an unique agreement suitable for the circumstances. Employment contracts specifying a period of employment provide employees with some measure of job security if conditions are satisfied. They further permit the employer to directly control employee productivity to some degree.

Common Terms in Arkansas Employment Contracts

Terms that are included in the majority of employment contracts in Arkansas include the job description, salary or wages, length of employment (or if it at will) and grounds for termination or advancement. Some clauses are less common but still worthy of being noted. First, the contract may contain an arbitration clause which requires that parties forgo going to court over an employment dispute.

Also, the contract can contain a termination clause, also known as a "severance clause". Courts have held that employers who violate these clauses when firing a person may be sued for wrongful termination. Moreover, confidentiality and non-compete clauses make any information obtained or work completed by an employee under contract subject to specific rules.

How Can a Russellville Lawyer Help?

Russellville has many lawyers specializing in Arkansas employment law who may help you understand what the terms of the employment contract are. Also, a lawyer will advise you about what you think is fair in the employment contract, and they can negotiate the specifics when you enter or leave employment.