A Fort Dodge, Iowa employment contract is an agreement where the employer and employee each intend to legally bind the other to specificed conditions in the work relationship. Iowa contracts are mostly negotiable since both employer and employee benefit from an agreement that is tailored to their particular work setting. Employment contracts specifying a term 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 Iowa Employment Contracts

The majority of employment contracts in the state of Iowa include the following: salary or wages, job descriptions, duration of employment (if any - most are at will), and termination/advancement grounds. However, there are also other, less common, clauses that are worthy of notice. First, an arbitration clause requires parties to forego their rights to access the courts for any employment dispute.

Furthermore, 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. Third, work that is completed by an employee, or information obtained by them are covered in clauses known as confidentiality clauses and non-compete clauses.

How Can a Fort Dodge Lawyer Help?

A Fort Dodge lawyer who specializes in the employment laws of Iowa may assist you in understanding what is contained in an employment contract. Also, a lawyer will advise you about what you think is fair in the employment contract, and they can negotiate the details when you enter or leave employment.