Congratulations – You got the job! The next step is to complete the formalities, and the HR department will want you to sign an employment agreement, which states the terms & conditions of employment. For protecting your rights and interests, you should consider talking to an employment attorney New Jersey, to review the contract/agreement. Below are some things to know about employment agreements and state employment laws.
The basics
Employee-employer relationships in NJ, and in most other states, are “at will”. This means that either of the parties can end the contract, even without notice and reason. Your agreement can have a few terms and conditions that may impact how this relationship works, but the nature of at-will employment remains the same. The employment agreement or contract will also outline the overall salary and other benefits that you are entitled to. For instance, vacation or paid offs, commissions, overtime compensation, and 401(k) contributions. In some professionals, employees are entitled to additional benefits or pay, when they complete certain milestones. All of that should be mentioned in the contract.
Understanding job title and duties
The employment agreement will also have a clear outline of job title and duties for the role. If you do not understand some of the work or duties assigned to you, contact the HR department and ask for a clarification. The employment contract, and everything that’s included in it, must be clear, absolute, and shouldn’t violate your rights and interests. The agreement will also include “restrictive covenants” and other non-disclosure agreements.
Get your contract reviewed
There are many employment lawyers in NJ, who will be happy to review the job contract for you. Don’t assume that the employment agreement is simple and can be understood at face value. The contract or agreement needs to be in sync with local, federal, and state laws, and you need to be sure that your employer is fair with terms and conditions. Employment attorneys know what to takes to review such agreements and contracts, and they will ensure that you get what you deserve. They will also check the pay and overtime compensation mentioned in the employment agreement are as per state norms.
It’s often wrongly assumed that an employment lawyer only comes in handy when things go wrong at work. A skilled lawyer can be your biggest resource for understanding your job contract, before you get started or sign anything without understanding the relevance and meaning.
