Employment Contract Review
Review your employment contract before signing. Use our checklist to identify key terms, red flags, and negotiation opportunities.
How to Review Your Employment Contract
Reviewing your employment contract is crucial before signing. This guide walks you through what to check, what to watch out for, and when you might need professional help. Use our tool to get a plain-English breakdown of your contract, then use this checklist to ensure you've covered everything.
Built for employees, not corporations. This review process helps you identify key terms, potential red flags, and opportunities to negotiate before you sign.
Employment Contract Review Checklist
Use this checklist when reviewing your employment contract. Check each item to ensure you understand what you're agreeing to:
- Job title and responsibilities - Make sure they match what was promised during interviews
- Salary and bonuses - Verify the compensation matches your offer letter
- Benefits - Health insurance, vacation time, sick leave, retirement plans
- Employment term and termination - At-will employment or fixed term? Notice period required?
- Non-compete and non-disclosure clauses - What restrictions apply after you leave?
- Intellectual property rights - Who owns work you create?
- Dispute resolution - Arbitration clauses or other requirements
Do I Need a Lawyer to Review My Employment Contract?
For most standard employment contracts, you can use an AI tool like Explain The Terms to understand the terms and identify potential issues. However, consider consulting with an employment lawyer if:
- High compensation - The contract involves significant money or equity
- Strict restrictions - Broad non-compete clauses or unusual limitations
- Complex terms - Intellectual property rights, unusual termination conditions, or arbitration requirements
- You're unsure - After using our tool, you still have concerns about specific clauses
Our tool helps you understand your contract first, so you can decide if you need professional legal advice.
Can I Negotiate Terms in My Employment Contract?
Yes, you can often negotiate employment contract terms, especially before signing. Common negotiable items include:
- Salary and bonuses - Compensation package
- Benefits - Health insurance, vacation time, retirement plans
- Start date - When you begin employment
- Job title - Your official position
- Non-compete scope - Geographic or time limitations
- Termination conditions - Notice periods or severance
However, some terms may be non-negotiable depending on the employer. It's best to negotiate before signing rather than after. Use our tool to identify which terms you might want to negotiate.
How to Use This Tool for Contract Review
- Upload your employment contract - PDF, Word doc, or paste the text
- Get instant analysis - Our AI explains each section in plain English
- Review key terms - See salary, benefits, obligations, and any red flags highlighted
- Use the checklist above - Ensure you've covered all important areas
- Decide next steps - Negotiate terms, consult a lawyer, or sign with confidence
Common Questions About Employment Contracts
What should I look for in an employment contract?
Key things to check in an employment contract include: job title and responsibilities (make sure they match what was promised), salary and bonuses, benefits (health insurance, vacation time), employment term and termination conditions (at-will clause or notice period), non-compete and non-disclosure clauses, intellectual property rights, and any unusual clauses like arbitration requirements.
Do I need a lawyer to review my employment contract?
For most standard employment contracts, you can use an AI tool like Explain The Terms to understand the terms. However, if your contract involves a lot of money, strict restrictions (like a broad non-compete), or complex terms, it's wise to consult with an employment lawyer for professional legal advice.
What am I agreeing to in an employment contract?
In an employment contract, you're typically agreeing to: perform specific job duties, work for a set period (or at-will employment), receive specified compensation and benefits, maintain confidentiality (NDA), potentially not compete with the employer after leaving (non-compete), and follow company policies. The contract also outlines what the employer agrees to provide in return.
Are non-compete clauses in job contracts enforceable?
Non-compete clause enforceability varies by state in the U.S. Some states heavily restrict or ban them, while others allow them with reasonable limitations. The enforceability depends on factors like geographic scope, duration, and whether it protects legitimate business interests. If you're unsure about a non-compete clause, consider consulting with an employment lawyer in your state.
Can I negotiate terms in an employment contract?
Yes, you can often negotiate employment contract terms, especially before signing. Common negotiable items include salary, benefits, vacation time, start date, job title, and sometimes non-compete scope. However, some terms may be non-negotiable depending on the employer. It's best to negotiate before signing rather than after.
What does at-will employment mean?
At-will employment means either you or your employer can terminate the employment relationship at any time, for any reason (except illegal reasons like discrimination), without notice. This is the default employment arrangement in most U.S. states unless you have a contract that specifies otherwise.
Is my employment contract fair?
A fair employment contract should clearly outline your role, compensation, benefits, and expectations. It should be balanced—protecting both your interests and the employer's. Red flags include: extremely broad non-compete clauses, unclear termination conditions, missing benefits information, or one-sided terms. Use Explain The Terms to get a plain-English breakdown so you can identify any concerning terms.
Limitations
This tool is designed to help you understand contracts, not replace legal professionals. Our analysis is based on general patterns and may not capture all nuances of your specific situation.
This is not legal advice. If your contract involves significant money, strict restrictions, or complex terms, consider consulting with an employment lawyer for professional legal advice specific to your situation.
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Explain The Terms provides general information and analysis, but it is not legal advice. You should consult with a qualified attorney for legal advice specific to your situation. This tool is designed for U.S. employment contracts and focuses on general principles. State laws on non-competes, at-will employment, and other terms can vary.