In Rutland, 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. 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 Massachusetts Employment Contracts

Terms that are included in the majority of employment contracts in Massachusetts include the job description, salary or compensation, length of employment (or if it at will) and grounds for termination or advancement. Some clauses are less common but still worthy of being noted. First, the contract might include an arbitration clause which requires that parties forgo going to court over an 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. Also, 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 Rutland Lawyer Help?

An Rutland 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.