Legal Corner:
All About Employment Contracts
by Andrew Gardiner
TThere’ s nothing better than a positive, happy workplace that runs smoothly. But sometimes issues with your employer do happen, and so it’ s smart to protect yourself. One way to do this is to ensure you have an employment contract in place.
An employment contract can protect your finances, reduce your stress, assist your working relationship with your employer and serve as a‘ living’ document that can change as your relationship with your employer changes.
With this in mind, here are five key elements to look for in an employment contract:
1.
Probation Period
A probation period can provide clear guidelines if, for the wide-ranging reasons in your employment contract, your agreement needs to end. This keeps everyone on the same page as to expectations.
2.
Job Description
What is it that you will do? You certainly don’ t want to hear,“ You’ re not doing your job”. A clearly defined job description in an employment contract is a great start. Also, set out what is required to fulfil the job. For example, your employer has an expectation that you are to travel to the branch office, or to the hospital, as required. But you lose your drivers’ licence. Could you then be sacked, in that scenario?
© Dietitian Connection Infuse | March 2018