In Cambridge, Massachusetts, an employment contract is agreement between an employer and employee which legally binds them to conditions specified in the work relationship. Most Massachusetts 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 type of control over productivity.
Common Terms in Massachusetts Employment Contracts
An employment contract in Massachusetts will typically provide for the following terms: job position description, compensation, duration of employment period (or at-will), and grounds for promotion/termination. 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, 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 Cambridge Lawyer Help?
An Cambridge attorney specializing in Massachusetts employment law can help you to understand what a given employment contract contains. An attorney will also counsel you in obtaining what is fair to you in the contract terms, and they can help negotiate agreements addressing your needs as you begin or end employment.