When you are hired as an employee at a company, your employer will likely require you to sign an employment contract before starting. This contract can cover a wide range of terms and conditions, which is why you should proceed with caution when reading it over and signing it. That is, it is important that you look out for any clauses that may make this contract void. Continue reading to learn what makes an employment contract void and how an experienced employment agreement attorney in Gloucester County NJ at The Vigilante Law Firm, P.C., can offer you some guidance.
What are the elements of an employment contract?
There are various types of employment contracts that you may come across throughout your career. The most common types are as follows:
- A non-compete agreement: this states that you may not leave your current company for a competitor for a certain period of time.
- A severance agreement: this states whether you may receive a financial cushion for a certain period of time after you are laid off.
- A non-disclosure agreement: this states that there are penalties for exposing the company’s confidential information to the public.
What elements make an employment contract void?
Understandably, you may be eager to start your new job, or you may be tentative to do anything that will jeopardize this opportunity. However, if you identify certain terms and conditions that may make your employment contract void, you must speak up and defend yourself. Below is a list of items that you should look out for before signing:
- Ensure that your employer updates the terms and conditions according to recent changes in the law.
- Ensure that your employer includes terms and conditions according to federal and New Jersey state law.
- Ensure that your employer includes terms and conditions that align with the oral agreement you shared.
- Ensure that your employer includes terms and conditions of your employment (i.e., your duties and responsibilities, job title, salary, etc).
- Ensure that your employer includes a severance clause.
- Ensure that your employer includes a non-compete clause and/or non-disclosure clause that is unrestrictive, appropriate, and specific.
On top of this, you should not feel pressured by your employer to sign this contract. That is, your employer cannot force you to sign your employment contract if you are not yet of the age of consent or if you were not of sound mind at the time. In addition, your employer cannot force you to sign if you do not fully agree with the terms and conditions.
If you require assistance with interpreting your employment contract, then you must hire one of the skilled New Jersey employment lawyers today.
