In general terms the employment contract confirms what has been promised to you by the employer in terms of responsibilities, expectations, compensation and other benefits and obligations of your employment relationship. Additionally, and in some situations, your employment contract may provide you with greater protection than what you would otherwise receive under the terms of the relevant employment standards legislation. By way of example, an employment contract often deals with extended vacation, parental leave benefits (including a top-up during such leave) and rights to notice or pay in lieu of notice at termination.
You should obtain legal advice BEFORE you sign an employment contract! Once it has been signed, a contract is binding and may be difficult to change. If you are leaving secure employment to take a new job and are asked to sign a contract with your new employer you should ensure that you have adequate protection in the event that the new job doesn’t work out as promised.
We are also regularly retained to draft and review independent contractor agreements and fixed term employment contacts.