A Harlan, Iowa employment contract is an agreement where the employer and employee each intend to legally bind the other to particular conditions in the work relationship. Iowa contracts are typically negotiable since both employer and employee benefit from an agreement that is tailored to their specific 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. Other clauses that are less common might also be contained in the contract. These might include: first, an arbitration clause stating that the parties may not sue should a dispute arise regarding the employment

Second, termination or severance clauses detail the procedure for ending employment. Courts have held that when an employer violates these in firing an employee, the employee may sue 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 Harlan Lawyer Help?

Harlan has many lawyers specializing in Iowa 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.