After passing a job interview and securing a job position, getting an employment contract might feel very exciting. If you are a beginner in the world of work, you may think it’s unnecessary to go through the contract, and you may wish to sign it instantly. Well, stop yourself from doing so, as it can make you regret your action later.
Before you sign your new employment contract, make sure you check the points described below.
Job position and responsibilities
Your job position and responsibilities tell your role in a firm. Depending on them, your employer can expect you to perform particular tasks. Before signing an employment contract, make sure the duties match those mentioned in the job description posting. If the job description is wider, your employer will have the flexibility to ask you to do more work.
Ensure that your job responsibilities are according to the title you applied for. If you indicate some changes or errors, it is best to talk to the hiring manager before you get bound to the job because of signing the contract.
Salary, bonuses, and other benefits
Your salary written on the employment contract should be the same as mentioned in the offer letter. Determine which payment methods are available so that you can choose the one that is more feasible. Identify the salary payment dates as well. It will help you manage your monthly expenses accordingly.
Make sure other benefits that were guaranteed in the offer letter are also included in the employment contract. These benefits can include health insurance, car, pension, and equity. Check if you are eligible for a certain bonus or not.
Number of holidays per annum
After starting the job, you may wish to get a leave at some point due to an emergency or just to give yourself some time. Having an idea of how many paid holidays your employer allows will help you make achievable plans.
You may not be able to get leave when you want to. Some companies do not give their workers off during a busy season like Eid, Christmas, etc. So, check holiday limitations and policies thoroughly to avoid trouble in the future.
Work hours
Your working pattern should be what you can easily manage. If work hours are contrary to what you were expecting, it is better to negotiate timing with the employer before signing the employment contract and regretting later.
Check whether your job responsibilities demand your presence on weekends and evenings. If yes, then for how long. Also, check if overtime would be paid or not.
Policies and restrictive clauses
Each company has its own policies about behavior, proper conduct, and similar stuff. Make sure you read these policies to understand what your employer and colleagues expect from you.
People often neglect reading restrictive clauses because they usually apply only after the termination of a contract. But, certain clauses can affect your future business development and job-related plans. Therefore, read and understand them carefully before you sign the contract.
Conclusion
If you have secured a job successfully, you should take time to read your employment contract thoroughly so that you can find out what your employer expects from you. Signing a contract without reading could lead to trouble in the future.