5 Things You Should Look Out For in Your New Employment Contract

A new job, new opportunities, and new challenges are all exciting prospects for anyone who has put themselves out there on the market and managed to land an offer from a company they admire.

However, no matter how shiny this opportunity might look, and no matter how desperate you might be for a job, simply signing an employment contract without reading it through is a dangerous and impulsive move to make. A reputable Calgary employment lawyer will be able to assist you when reviewing an employment contract for signing, and this is an especially good idea if you’re starting your first job.

Here are a few important things you need to be checking and double-checking before you formally accept.

Title and Role

First of all, you’ll want to have a very clear idea of what will be expected of you in this role. Be sure to understand your job title and what it entails.

Your contract should stipulate all your responsibilities in detail, and you have the right to question anything listed there, especially if it was not mentioned in the job listing or any of the interviews you attended. Knowing your responsibilities will also make it easier for you to identify if you are being taken advantage of once you start working.

Remuneration and Benefits

Make sure that the salary (and any bonuses) are stipulated in your contract as they were verbally discussed. If there are any changes to what you and your future employer agreed upon, find out what may have caused this.

Benefits are another thing to consider, as they could make the job worth it (or not). You might have overlooked some potential benefits too, which could be negotiated.

Weekly Hours

Knowing what time demands will be made of you is important, especially if you’re considering your lifestyle, family time and general rest and work-life balance. Your contract should state how many hours per week you’ll be working (make sure this is legal and reasonable).

You should also look out for any notes about working overtime, over weekends or at strange hours, as well as travel requirements for the position.

Sick Leave and Time Off

Time off is crucial for maintaining your work-life balance. Make sure that your new contract allows you sufficient time off throughout the year, reasonable sick leave, family leave, maternity leave (if you’re planning on starting a family), etc.

Make sure this information is clear in your contract because you’ll be able to refer back to it in the case of any altercations around taking time off.

Notice Period and Dismissal

 Finally, make sure you know the period of your employment contract, the conditions for earlier dismissal, and the notice period you would need to give too, should you leave the job before the contract period is up.

Understanding this will help make sure you’re aware if you happen to be dismissed unfairly, as well as knowing how much notice you need to give if you wish to resign.