A Washington, District of Columbia employment contract is an agreement where the employer and employee each intend to legally bind the other to particular conditions in the work relationship. Many District of Columbia employment contracts can be negotiable since both parties benefit from a suitable agreement that is unique to their circumstances. Employees with an employment contract specified a time of employment are provided with a guarantee of job security if conditions of the contract are met, and it allows their managers to have some form of control over productivity.

Common Terms in District of Columbia Employment Contracts

An employment contract in District of Columbia will normally provide for the following terms: job position description, compensation, duration of employment period (or at-will), and grounds for promotion/termination. Please note, however, that contracts can contain other less common clauses. First, for instance, an arbitration clause may require the parties to forgo the right to sue in the event of an employment dispute.

Also, a severance clause or "termination clause" outlines the process for ending the employment. Courts have held employers liable for wrongful termination when violating such clauses. Furthermore, information or work that is obtained or completed by an employee may be subject to confidentiality and non-compete clauses.

How Can a Washington Lawyer Help?

An Washington attorney specializing in District of Columbia employment law may help you to understand what a given employment contract contains. You may also get advice from a lawyer about fairness in the contract terms, and they will negotiate particular clauses that will meet your needs in beginning or ending employment.