7 Reasons You Should Hire an Attorney to Review Your Employment Agreement
One of the most important documents most employees overlook when they start working with a new employer is their employment agreement. So many people barely look at their agreement beyond the payment terms. This can be a very costly mistake because your employment agreement sets the stage for your entire employment relationship. In certain circumstances employment agreements can significantly impair your ability to find your next job. Because of this, it is critical to have your employment agreement carefully reviewed by an employment lawyer who is experienced in this area. Below are seven of the most important reasons why you should hire an attorney to review your employment agreement.
- Protecting Your Rights: Make no mistake, your employment agreement was written by and for your employer – not you. Nearly every provision of your employment agreement is there to protect your employer’s interests, sometimes, at your expense.
- Understanding Complex Legal Language: Employment agreements often contain dense legal jargon that can be challenging to decipher for the untrained eye. Attorneys specialize in interpreting legal documents, ensuring that you fully comprehend the rights, obligations, and implications outlined in your contract.
- Protecting Your Future: Employment agreements contain restrictions (like non-competes, non-solicits and non-disclosures) that delineate your rights both during, and after, employment. An attorney can identify any clauses that may infringe upon your rights or place undue restrictions on your freedom to find a new job. By safeguarding your rights, an employment lawyer can ensure that you enter into a fair and equitable employment relationship, fully aware of your rights and limitations.
- Negotiating Favorable Terms: Employment attorneys are experienced, trained, and skilled negotiators who can advocate on your behalf to secure the most favorable terms in your employment agreement. Whether it’s negotiating higher compensation, additional benefits, or improved job security, their expertise can help you achieve a more advantageous position. This is especially important at the start of your job because every raise, promotion, etc. will be predicated on that starting point.
- Mitigating Risks and Liabilities: Employment agreements often include clauses that outline the consequences of termination, such as non-compete agreements, non-solicitation clauses, confidentiality obligations and severance.
- Ensuring an Easy Landing: Think of this like a pre-nup for your work. An employment attorney can make sure that, depending on when, why and how your employment is terminated, your future is secure. For example, an employment attorney can arrange that your non-compete is waived if your employment is terminated without cause. Or an employment attorney can negotiate a guaranteed severance in the event of termination.
- Providing Peace of Mind: Perhaps most importantly, having an employment attorney review your employment agreement provides peace of mind, knowing that you’ve taken proactive steps to protect your interests. By entrusting the review process to an expert, you can confidently sign your contract, knowing that it has been thoroughly vetted and that your rights have been safeguarded.
Having an employment attorney review your employment agreement is a critical step in safeguarding your rights, mitigating risks, and ensuring a fair and equitable employment relationship. From interpreting complex legal language to negotiating favorable terms, this expertise is invaluable in navigating the intricacies of employment. By investing in legal review upfront, you can embark on your new job with confidence, knowing that your interests are protected every step of the way.
For a consultation, call us in New York City (646.524.6001) and Cleveland, Ohio (216.600.7994) or contact us any time. We will help you determine whether your agreement serves your best interests and whether you should attempt to negotiate better terms.