Before entering into any employment contract, it is important to consider the terms and conditions that will govern your employment relationship. An employment contract stipulates your rights, obligations, and the respective responsibilities between you and your employer. These contracts are usually drafted in a language full of legal jargon and complex clauses, and can be hard to understand for a layman. Provided that you misunderstand or miss certain major provisions, you might set yourself up for further future conflicts or otherwise become at a disadvantage within your workplace. This is why it would be important to consult a Toronto employment attorney before signing your contract.
Beware of Potential Red Flags
An employment lawyer in Toronto can also help identify red flags that you will likely miss in your employment contract, such as limitation-of-rights clauses, limiting your right to work post-termination from the company or in your respective field, or overly broad confidentiality agreements. Other concerns could be associated with the termination clauses, which may give the employer the right to terminate your employment with little or no notice and/or severance pay. If you review the contract with a lawyer before agreeing to it, you will be able to avoid acceptance of those terms which will affect your career and future job prospects.
Negotiating Better Terms
Many employees think that the terms in an employment agreement are fixed and cannot be changed. Of course, there may be some leeway, especially if it’s with an employer, when dealing with skilled or high-demand workers. A lawyer will have a way of negotiating terms that would serve your needs and expectations. A lawyer can work to help you in securing a better salary, better benefits, and/or even a more tolerable work environment; they will present the best case possible to secure a contract that is fair and beneficial to an employee.
Clarifying Vagueness
Some employment contracts have language that is ambiguous and can be interpreted differently by both parties. This may lead to disagreements later when you and your employer each have different notions regarding what the contract contains. A Toronto employment attorney can point out any vague language in the contract and ensure that the contract is exactly what you agreed upon with your employer, thus avoiding such misconceptions and saving yourself from getting embroiled in possible future legal disputes.
Understand the Legal Obligations
Accepting an employment offer letter means you agree to a number of binding obligations in law, which you will be expected to adhere to. Such legal obligations may pertain to maintaining confidentiality and other agreements, such as non-compete clauses or company policies.
Failure to fulfill these legal obligations can trigger lawsuits or other employment-related disciplinary action. A Toronto employment lawyer will help you understand fully what your legal obligations under the contract are, so you can know precisely what is expected of you and what is at risk.
Protecting Your Rights
One of the biggest advantages of a lawyer’s advice before signing an employment contract regards the protection from violation of rights. The employment laws of Toronto and Ontario are sophisticated and fluid; it can thus be challenging to keep up with the most recent legislation. A lawyer can ensure that your contract is in complete accordance with the existing employment laws and that your rights are fully guarded. This may include appropriate compensation structures, benefits, and working conditions, where applicable under law.
Preventing Future Disputes
Signing a contract of employment without knowing what it says can be the source of future disputes with your employer. Most employment-related disputes are costly, time-consuming, and stressful. You can help to avoid many of these potential conflicts by consulting a lawyer before you sign your contract.
A lawyer will go through your contract for fairness, clarity, and legal soundness, reducing the prospect of miscommunication or other issues that may later develop during your employment.
Peace of Mind
Lastly, it may provide peace of mind to seek the advice of an employment attorney in Toronto before entering an employment contract. Knowing that a legal professional has gone through the contract and advised on the implications at hand engenders confidence in the final decision to sign. This peace of mind may allow you to focus on your new job and start employment on a good note rather than worrying about possible legal issues that might fall in the way soon.
There are a lot of reasons why consulting a lawyer before signing an employment contract will be very beneficial to the employee. A good lawyer can give assistance in detecting possible red flags, negotiating better terms, and giving meaning to ambiguities—and therefore protection—to the rights of the employee. It is worth your time to protect your career with a little legal advice before you sign on that dotted line.
