Employment contracts in Richmond, Virginia are legally binding and consist of an agreement between employer and employee regarding stated work conditions. Contracts for employment in the state of Virginia are negotiable, which allows the parties to arrive at an agreement ideally suited to their work relationship. The employment contract setting a term helps give employees a guarantee of job stability upon meeting the conditions, and it also lets employees have some direct control over the productivity of employees.

Common Terms in Virginia Employment Contracts

Virginia employment contracts typically include many terms such as a description of the job, employment duration (generally at-will employment), compensation/benefits, and grounds for terminating. Nonetheless, 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.

Additionally, 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, information or work that is obtained or completed by an employee may be subject to confidentiality and non-compete clauses.

How Can a Richmond Lawyer Help?

An Richmond attorney specializing in Virginia 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.