A Phoenix, Arizona 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 Arizona, most employment contracts are negotiable to enable both parties to arrive at an unique agreement suitable for the circumstances. 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 Arizona Employment Contracts
Arizona employment contracts normally include many terms such as a description of the job, employment duration (generally at-will employment), compensation/benefits, and grounds for terminating. 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.
Second, 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. Additionally, 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 Phoenix Lawyer Help?
Phoenix has many lawyers specializing in Arizona employment law who can help you understand what the terms of the employment contract are. A lawyer can also lend counsel about what is fair to you in the contract, and can negotiate particular terms that will address your specific concerns as you enter or leave employment.