Before you sign: speak to an employment contract lawyer
An employment contract is an important legal document. Speak to one of our employment contract lawyers and have them read over it before signing.
The employment contract outlines your rights and responsibilities as an employee, as well as the terms of your employment, such as your salary, benefits and job duties. Sometimes, your employment conditions are also governed by other documents, such as enterprise agreements or an Award. These documents can be complex and difficult to understand without the right employment law advice.
It is important to negotiate your employment contract carefully with the help of an employment contract lawyer to ensure that it is fair and protects your interests. An employment contract lawyer can help you understand your rights and negotiate the best possible terms for your employment.
How can an employment lawyer help with your contract?
There are a number of things you can negotiate in your employment contract, including:
Salary: Your salary is one of the most important aspects of your employment contract. Be sure to negotiate a salary that is fair and competitive. You can research salaries for similar positions in your industry to get an idea of what you should be asking for.
Benefits: In addition to your salary, you may also want to negotiate benefits, such as bonuses or incentives, a car allowance or other allowances such as a phone or laptop. These benefits can add significant value to your compensation package, so it is important to factor them into your negotiations.
Job duties: Make sure your job duties are clearly outlined in your employment contract. This will help to avoid any misunderstandings about your responsibilities. Be specific about your job title, the scope of your work and any reporting relationships.
Working from home: Post COVID, many employers are not offering WFH as an option for employees. Unless this is a right negotiated into your contract, a request to work from home is usually at the discretion of your employer.
Termination terms: In the event that your employment is terminated, you will want to negotiate terms that are fair to you. This includes how much notice you are required to receive. Where the contract is silent on notice, the terms are regulated by the National Employment Standards, which are the minimum amounts of notice that an employer is required to give. However, these minimum entitlements are not very generous, particularly in the early parts of your employment.
Non-compete clause: A non-compete clause is a provision in your employment contract that prohibits you from working for a competitor for a certain period of time after you leave your job. If you are considering negotiating a non-compete clause, be sure to consult with an employment contract lawyer to make sure that it is fair and that you are adequately compensated for the restriction that arises from such clauses.
- Dismissal: An employee who is dismissed from their job or is threatened with dismissal.
- Demotion: An employee who is demoted or threatened with demotion.
- Harassment: An employee who is harassed.
- Retaliation: An employee suffers from retaliatory conduct by an employer for asserting a workplace right.
- Not being hired: An employee who is not hired.
- Not being promoted: An employee who is not promoted.
- Being denied benefits: An employee who is denied benefits.
The types of workplace rights to which adverse action can relate are very broad. Examples of workplace rights that are protected include the right to be free from discrimination based on race, gender, age or a disability, basic employee rights granted under a contract of employment or at law, such as the right to personal leave, the right to be paid correctly or the right to take meal breaks.
Tips for negotiating your employment contract
- Be confident and assertive. Don't be afraid to ask for what you want. Remember, you are negotiating a contract that will affect your future earnings and benefits.
- Be prepared to walk away from the negotiation if you are not happy with the terms. This shows the employer that you are serious about getting the best possible deal.
- Be willing to compromise. Don't expect to get everything you want in the negotiation. Be willing to give a little in order to get a little.
- Don’t accept verbal promises from employers of a benefit that you will give you in the future. Make sure it’s documented in your employment contract. This will help to avoid any misunderstandings down the road.
Working with an employment contract lawyer
An employment contract lawyer can help you understand your rights and negotiate the best possible terms for your employment. They can also review your employment contract to make sure that it is fair and enforceable.
Here are some of the benefits of working with an employment contract lawyer:
- They can help you understand your rights as an employee. Employment law is complex, and it can be difficult to know what your rights are. An employment contract lawyer can help you understand your rights and ensure that your employment contract is fair and enforceable.
- They can negotiate on your behalf. If you are not comfortable negotiating your own employment contract, an employment contract lawyer can do it for you. They will be able to represent your interests and get you the best possible deal.
- They can review your employment contract. Even if you are comfortable negotiating your own employment contract, it is a good idea to have an employment contract lawyer review it and explain complex terms or hidden traps that you may not be aware of before you sign it.
Overall, negotiating your employment contract is an important step in protecting your rights as an employee. An employment contract lawyer from Lawpoint can help you understand your rights and negotiate the best possible terms for your employment. If you are offered a job, it is important to take the time to review your employment contract carefully before you sign it.
Why choose Lawpoint?
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