In Bethesda, Maryland, an employment contract is agreement between an employer and employee which legally binds them to conditions stated in the work relationship. Many Maryland employment contracts can be negotiable since both parties benefit from a suitable agreement that is unique to their circumstances. 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 Maryland Employment Contracts
The majority of employment contracts in the state of Maryland include the following: salary or wages, job descriptions, length of employment (if any - most are at will), and termination/advancement grounds. 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. Thirdly, non-compete clauses and confidentiality clauses make the information or work obtained or completed by contract employees subject to particular rules.
How Can a Bethesda Lawyer Help?
Lawyers in Bethesda who specialize in Maryland employment laws can assist you in determining what employment contracts contain. 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.