An Ottumwa, 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 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 Iowa Employment Contracts

Job descriptions, wage levels, length of time of employment (or more likely, at will employment), and grounds for promotion or termination are typically included in the majority of Iowa employment contracts. 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.

Additionally, 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. Moreover, 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 an Ottumwa Lawyer Help?

An Ottumwa lawyer who specializes in the employment laws of Iowa can 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 specifics when you enter or leave employment.