Orlando, Florida Employment Agreements Lawyers 

If you are planning to hire employees to work at your company, there are important steps you must take. Your company will need to meet several important legal requirements. For example, you are required to obtain an Employer Identification Number with the IRS and may be required to register with the state’s labor department. You may be required to obtain worker’s compensation insurance and may need to set up a payroll system to withhold taxes. When hiring new employees, you’ll need to fill out all required tax forms and reporting documentation. Finally, you may want to have your employees sign proper employment agreements. While you may not be legally required to have your employees sign these agreements, a signed employment agreement can protect both your employees and your company. If you are planning to hire employees and need assistance with an employment agreement in Orlando, Florida, reach out to Legal Counsel, P.A. and our employment agreement lawyers can assist you with drafting a sound employment agreement and help you understand your rights and responsibilities when hiring employees. Have questions? We have answers. Contact Legal Counsel, P.A. today at 407-982-4321.

What Should I Include in My Employment Agreement?

No two companies are exactly alike, and no two companies’ employment agreements will require the exact same provisions. While you might be tempted to use boilerplate employment agreements available online, especially if you have a small business, it is important to remember that there may be specific local requirements and rules for hiring employees, and there may be specific provisions you might want to include, depending on the nature of your business. Before the use of any employment agreement contact Legal Counsel, P.A., and consult with our Orlando employment agreement lawyers for assistance.  Here are a few things you should include in your employment agreement:

• Responsibilities might include the employee’s official title, and specifics about expectations and duties.
• Compensation and benefits. Employers shouldn’t just rely on verbal agreements when specifying the compensation and benefits that employees are entitled to receive. An employment contract should provide specific information about the employee’s base salary, information about any bonuses, and specifics on circumstances in which an employee’s base salary might be decreased (for example, if the company needs to lay off workers). The employment contract should also be specific about the types of benefits the employee will receive. If the employee will receive stock options, a 401(k), health benefits, disability benefits, pension, life insurance, or any other benefits, these should be specified in the employment contract.
• Termination provisions. Firing an employee can be a delicate matter. How you classify your employee will depend largely on the needs of your company. A company that needs an employee for a specific period of time who stands to lose money if the employee leaves may require the employee to work for a period of time in the employment contract. However, some companies hire employees “at will,” meaning employees can be terminated or leave at will. Every company’s needs will differ, so it is important to speak to our qualified employment agreement lawyers at Legal Counsel, P.A. in Orlando, Florida to understand what provisions for termination you should include. The decisions you make with regards to termination can save your company legal issues and money in the future. Companies often also include a list of causes for just termination in the employment agreement.
• Confidentiality agreements. As more companies compete in the knowledge economy, your company’s trade secrets, client lists, and business practices are of value. More companies use confidentiality agreements to protect their trade secrets, practices, and clients. Many companies will include a separate confidentiality agreement for employees to sign, while others will include confidentiality provisions into an employment agreement. Not sure which one is right for you? Consider contacting Legal Counsel, P.A. and speak to our employment agreement lawyers in Orlando, Florida today.
• Non-Compete Agreements. Non-compete agreements can protect your company and client list from an employee who leaves your company to work for a competitor or from an employee who goes off to start his or her own business in competition with your company. A non-compete agreement can bar an employee from working in a similar field in your region for a period of time. This can protect your business interests. However, non-compete agreements, in order to be enforceable, need to be specific in scope and time. Many companies will include non-compete agreements separate from the employee contract, though some may include non-compete agreements in the contract itself for deterrence. The nature of your non-compete agreement will depend on your business needs. Contact Legal Counsel, P.A. and consult with our employment agreement lawyers in Orlando, Florida today to learn more about your options when it comes to protecting your business.
• Dispute resolution. The best way to deal with disputes and issues is before they arise. This is why many companies will include provisions for dispute resolution in their employment agreements. Dispute resolution agreements can specify how disputes should be resolved. They should also consider the role and benefits of confidential arbitration, and should specify which location or court the dispute resolution should take place. When it comes to dispute resolution, the decisions you make in your contract can have major implications should your company face litigation. Contact Legal Counsel, P.A. and speak to our employment agreement lawyers in Orlando, Florida today.
• Employee handbook. In addition to your contract, you may also want to provide an employee handbook outlining responsibilities, company policies, and how your employees can reach human resources should they have an issue. Many disputes can be resolved internally with the help of HR. If your business is small, it may still be wise to have an employee handbook that outlines policies and procedures. Your employment agreement may also include provisions that clearly state that employees should abide by rules and provisions included in the employee handbook. If you need help with employee agreements in Orlando, Florida, contact Legal Counsel, P.A. and consult with our employment agreement lawyers to assist you.

If you are hiring new employees, congratulations! Your business has grown and now you need help. However, the hiring process can raise many unique legal considerations. Reach out to Legal Counsel, P.A. and speak to our employment agreement lawyers in Orlando, Florida to learn more about your options and rights. Have questions? We have answers. Contact Legal Counsel, P.A. today at 407-982-4321.

Protect Yourself and Your Employees with an Employment Agreement 

A carefully drafted employment agreement protects not only you, but your employees. If you are planning to hire new workers, or if you have hired workers, but don’t have an employment agreement in place, reach out to Legal Counsel, P.A. and consult with our Orlando employment agreement attorneys. We can help. Have questions? We have answers. Contact Legal Counsel, P.A. today at 407-982-4321.