Employment contracts in Madison, South Dakota are legally binding and consist of an agreement between employer and employee regarding specified work conditions. In South Dakota, most employment contracts are negotiable to enable both parties to arrive at an unique agreement suitable for the 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 South Dakota Employment Contracts

Terms that are included in the majority of employment contracts in South Dakota 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.

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. Also, non-compete clauses and confidentiality clauses make the information or work obtained or completed by contract employees subject to specific rules.

How Can a Madison Lawyer Help?

Lawyers in Madison who specialize in South Dakota employment laws may assist you in determining what employment contracts contain. 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.