In Waterville, Maine, an employment contract is agreement between an employer and employee which legally binds them to conditions stated in the work relationship. Maine contracts are mostly negotiable since both employer and employee benefit from an agreement that is tailored to their particular work setting. An employment contract for a set period provides the employee with a guarantee of job security if the conditions are met, and it further allows employers some measure of direct control over employee productivity.

Common Terms in Maine Employment Contracts

An employment contract in Maine will typically provide for the following terms: job position description, compensation, duration of employment period (or at-will), and grounds for promotion/termination. 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, 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. Thirdly, 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 Waterville Lawyer Help?

An Waterville attorney specializing in Maine employment law may 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 terminate employment.