Phoenix, AZ Employment Contracts Lawyers Help Secure and Retain Valued Workers

Business attorneys draft and negotiate contracts that protect Arizona employers’ interests

Although Arizona is an at-will employment state — where workers generally can be terminated at any time for any reason — much of the workforce is employed on a contract basis. This includes executives, managers and other key employees who are hired according to set conditions regarding compensation and performance. In addition, companies often engage outside contractors to provide various services, rather than hiring employees to perform these tasks. Whether you are recruiting a high-level manager or bringing in help on a temporary basis, Law Offices of Donald W. Hudspeth, P.C. in Phoenix can provide a solid employment contract that serves your purposes while protecting your rights.

What goes into a valid employment contract?

An employment contract promises that a worker will be hired for a given time period and on certain conditions. Contracts vary in content depending on the work arrangement. These are some of the terms often included:

• Workers’ roles and responsibilities — Every contract specifies the type of work to be done, which can range from simple tasks like maintenance services to executive-level oversight duties. The greater and more involved the job responsibilities, the more detailed the contract must be.
• Term of employment — A contract starts with an initial time period but typically is extendable if certain criteria are satisfied. Renewability is often a major negotiating point for employment contracts.
• Compensation — Executives, managers and other high-level employees often receive base salaries with added bonuses and incentives related to their performance. Outside contractors may be paid on a flat rate or per diem basis or based on delivery of services. If a contract is properly drafted, the contract worker is exempt from federal and state wage-and-hour laws that require paying overtime.
• Benefits — Depending on the specific arrangement, a contract worker may be given paid time off, including sick days and vacations, as well as health and disability insurance. However, the more of these benefits a contractor receives, the more likely that wage-and-hour law may apply.
• Non-disclosure agreements — You may require an employee to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) to protect your confidential business information from competitors and from other people who could use it to your company’s injury or disadvantage.
• Non-compete agreements — An employment contract can limit an employee’s right, upon leaving the company, to engage in competitive activity in the same marketplace. The contract can also include a non-solicitation clause, prohibiting the employee from wooing your company’s existing customers.
• Severance clauses — A contract can specify the payment, if any, to be made to a worker upon termination, except termination for cause. Severance pay is usually based on total years of service but high-level employees often seek to negotiate more generous packages when contracts are formed.

Our business law attorneys will carefully assess your needs and objectives and will draft and negotiate contracts that thoroughly protect your business interests.

Pursuing and defending against breach claims

No matter how carefully prepared and comprehensive an employment contract may be, it is subject to possible challenges by workers who claim their rights have been violated. We always stand ready to defend our business client’s interests in lawsuits raising claims such as these:

• Wrongful termination or discharge
• Failure to pay compensation due under an employment agreement
• Conditioning continued employment on acceptance of contract modifications
• Failure to meet the terms of a severance agreement

When an employee breaches a non-compete, non-solicitation or non-disclosure agreement, strong responsive action may be needed. We are experienced in pursuing legal remedies, including monetary damages, that protect your company.

Why choose our Phoenix employment contract lawyers?

At Law Offices of Donald W. Hudspeth, P.C., we prepare, negotiate and enforce employment contracts that serve Arizona businesses. Based in Phoenix, we represent clients throughout the state. Call us at 866-696-2033 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.