Every business is different, and what your company needs to succeed depends on your needs, goals for the future and the type of business you have. For some Florida business owners, employment contracts are a smart way to protect company interests and make things easier for all parties involved. If you do not currently use these types of contracts, you may consider how they can benefit you.
As with all business contracts, it is beneficial to proceed thoughtfully and carefully when drafting and reviewing a contract that could impact your company. If you think that having employment contracts is a smart move, it may help to first think about what you should include. It is in your interests to ensure that contracts with your employees benefit both the workers and the employer.
What should you include?
There is no one-size-fits-all employment contract. You can craft your contracts to suit the unique interests of your business and according to the type of work your employees will be doing. Some of the factors you may want to outline specifically in your contracts include:
- Health insurance and employees’ contributions
- Sick leave and how the process works when calling in sick
- Number of vacation days and how employees request time off
- How employees can file grievances when there is a problem
- What happens in case of termination or the employee leaves
Depending on what type of contract you need, it may also include specifics for issues such as working for a competitor in the future, keeping your proprietary information a secret and more. Some employers also ask their employees to sign confidentiality agreements or include noncompete provisions in their employment contracts.
Clarity is important in employment contracts. It should be clear to employees how long the contract is valid and what happens if they violate any of the terms of the contract.
The right choices for your business
As a business owner, you understand how important it is to protect the financial and legal interests of your business. If you do not have employment contracts, you may want to speak to an experienced attorney about the ways you can shield your company from potential financial loss and the threat of litigation in the future.
A complete evaluation of your case can help you understand the various legal steps you can take to protect the company you worked so hard to start and build. When it is the interests of your business on the line, you do not want to leave anything to chance.
