In College Park, Maryland, an employment contract is agreement between an employer and employee which legally binds them to conditions specified in the work relationship. Most Maryland 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 Maryland Employment Contracts
Maryland employment contracts normally include many terms such as a description of the job, employment duration (generally at-will employment), compensation/benefits, and grounds for terminating. 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.
Furthermore, 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. 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 College Park Lawyer Help?
An College Park attorney specializing in Maryland 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.