If you have just received an offer letter and an accompanying employment contract, there’s no doubt that you are eager to start working the position and earning an income. But signing the contract right away is one of the biggest mistakes you could make.
You could be restricting your career path with extensive non-disclosure agreements. And if that’s not worrying enough, you could be agreeing to confusing illusive or benefits that don’t match those discussed in the interview.
So, before you sign the documents, look for these common employment contract red flags.
Vague Or Extremely Broad Job Description
A vague job description, or the opposite of a questionably lengthy job description, is the first red flag you might notice. These descriptions should be included in the job listing, offer letter, and employment contract.
A poorly defined job description raises concerns for confusion and additional expectations and responsibilities. You might later find yourself handling several other responsibilities that shouldn’t be a part of your job role.
If you are uncertain about the job description details, consult an employment lawyer to review the contract. You need to trust your employment lawyer to assess the contract and highlight all relevant concerns.
Unclear Compensation
The employment contract should clearly define all compensation, from salary and commissions to bonuses and benefits. The contract must specify the amounts, payment frequencies, and grounds for determining other compensations.
If an employment contract does not outline the compensation, applying for other job listings is best.
Restrictive Clauses
While non-disclosure agreements are standard in employment contracts, these clauses should be brief and easy to read and understand. If you notice that these clauses are drawn out and significantly broad, the employment contract is restrictive to a career-destroying degree.
Nevertheless, because contractual clauses can be pretty tricky to understand in some cases, reach out to your employment lawyer if the clause descriptions are not as straightforward as they should be.
Inadequate Benefits
Of course, if the salary compensation is low, it’s in your best interests to keep up your job hunt. Inadequate salary and employment benefits are some of the biggest red flags to watch out for. Your contract should offer essential benefits like pension, vacation days, sick days, unpaid time off, health insurance, disability insurance, and more.
Make sure the salary and benefits offerings are in line with market averages. The job role should pay similar to other companies in the area.
Lack Of Severance And Termination Details
While you might plan on staying at the new company indefinitely, it’s still crucial to understand the severance and termination processes. If the employment contract does not specify these details, it’s essential to reach out to the employer to inquire. You might want to avoid signing the contract if they are unwilling to include these critical clauses.
If you notice these employment contract red flags, the best course of action is to consult an employment lawyer to confirm the contract’s authenticity and how the contract could impact your career in the future.
