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Call (781) 784-2322

Should I Use Employment Contracts in My Business?

The vast majority of employees do not have written employment contracts, beyond perhaps a signed initial offer letter.  This means their employment remains "at will," and can be terminated at any time by either the employer or the employee, for any reason (so long as it is not an unlawful reason).

Usually, employers want to retain this kind of flexibility, and address specific terms of employment as they come up through company policies, which can be changed at any time.

You can have a written contract that protects certain interests- non-solicitation, non-disclosure, non-compete provisions and ownership of intellectual property are common examples- without providing for a fixed term of employment.  These contracts generally state specifically that employment remains at-will and can be terminated at any time.

There are times when it might be in your interest to agree to a fixed term of employment, especially if you are making significant upfront investments in new employees, and/or the position is challenging to recruit for. 


Learn more here about employment contracts in Massachusetts.

Need Help With an Employment Contract?

Contact Us
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  • Home
  • About
    • Slnlaw Offices
    • Fees and Payment
    • Privacy Policy
    • Publications and Interviews
  • Attorneys
    • Emily Smith-Lee >
      • 2018 Lawyer of the Year
    • Jenna Ordway
    • Rebecca Rogers
    • Andrew Silvia
    • Elijah Bresley
  • Reviews
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • Employment Law Solutions
    • Employment Law MA
    • Discrimination in the Workplace
    • Employment Termination
    • Sexual Harassment at Work >
      • Sexual Harassment in a Small Business
      • Sexual Harassment and Non Disclosure Agreements
      • Sexual Harassment and Remote Work
    • Wage and Hour Laws
    • Independent Contractor Law
    • Non Compete Agreements >
      • Are non competes enforceable
      • Massachusetts Non Compete Act
      • Pre 2018 Massachusetts Non Competes
    • Equal Pay Act
  • Estate Planning
    • Massachusetts Wills and Trusts
    • Why You Need an Estate Plan
    • Massachusetts Estate Tax
    • Inheritance Tax
    • How to Make an Estate Plan
  • Business Law Solutions
    • Small Business Law
    • Business Contract Basics
    • Civil Suit Defense
    • Legal Issues for Start Ups
    • Trademark Basics
    • How to Incorporate
    • Sale of Business
  • Legal FAQs
    • Estate Planning FAQs
    • Probate FAQs
    • Small Business FAQs
    • Wage Act FAQs
    • Commission Pay FAQs
    • Overtime FAQs
    • Independent Contractor FAQs
    • Non Compete FAQs
    • Employment Discrimination FAQs
    • Employment Termination FAQs
    • Severance Package FAQs
    • Medical Leave FAQs
    • Sexual Harassment FAQs
    • Massachusettts Unemployment FAQs
    • Employer FAQs
    • Civil Lawsuit FAQs