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Employment Agreement

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Employment Agreement Between Musician and Personal Manager

Agreement made on the day of , 20 , between of , referred to herein as Artist, and , Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the state of , with its principal office located at , referred to herein as Manager.

Whereas, Artist has considered the advisability of obtaining Manager's services to further Artist's career, and has made independent inquiry concerning Manager's ability and reputation; and

Whereas, Artist has determined that Manager's services would be of great value because of Manager's extensive knowledge of and reputation in the music and entertainment industry; and

Whereas, Artist wishes to hire Manager, and Manager wishes to be employed, as Artist's exclusive Personal Manager;

Now, therefore, for and in consideration of the mutual covenants contained in this agreement, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

1. Employment

Manager is hereby retained as Artist's exclusive personal Manager for the term of this agreement, and Manager accepts such employment.

2. Manager’s Services

Manager shall use its best efforts to perform the following services:

A. To represent and act as Artist's advisor in all business negotiations and matters of policy relating to Artist's career, to supervise engagements and to consult with employers to assure, to the best of Manager's ability, the proper use of Artist's services;

B. To advise and counsel in the selection of musical material and matters relating to publicity, public relations and advertising, and in the adoption of the proper format for presentation of Artist's talents; and

C. To cooperate with and supervise relations with talent and literary agents which may be employed on Artist's behalf, and to be available at reasonable times at Manager's office to confer with Artist in matters concerning Artist's career.

3. Expenses

A. Manager is authorized to incur reasonable and necessary business costs, fees or expenses directly related to its services under this Agreement. Such business costs, fees or expenses will not include general administrative and overhead expenses incurred in the operation of the business of Manager. Artist will reimburse Manager for all such costs, fees or expenses upon presentation to Artist of receipted vouchers or paid bills for expenses incurred. Manager will render quarterly statements to Artist which will set forth the nature and amount of any such business cost, fee or expense incurred by Manager on Artist's behalf. Artist is responsible to pay any business costs, fee or expense that may arise in connection with its professional interest and endeavors, including, but not limited to, the cost of material, equipment, facilities, transportation, lodging, living expenses, costumes, makeup, publicity and theatrical agents, accounting and business management costs, fees or expenses, union dues and fees, legal costs, fees or expenses, road management costs, fees or expenses, and costs, fees or expenses for road crews. Manager will have no liability in connection with such expenses. Such expenses will not be deducted from gross monies as defined in this Paragraph, nor will they in any other way affect or reduce Manager's fee under this Agreement.

B. Artist will reimburse Manager for all bona fide expenditures incurred by Manager on Artist's behalf, in connection with Artist's career, or in the performance of Manager's services under this Agreement, which are substantiated by receipted vouchers or paid bills.

IV. Obligations of Artist

Artist agrees at all times to devote his best efforts to his career and to do all things necessary and desirable to promote his career. Artist will advise Manager of his location and be available at all times to work on projects at Manager's direction. Artist will advise Manager of all offers of employment submitted and will refer any inquiries to Manager in order that Manager may determine whether they are in Artist's best interests.

V. Nonexclusive Services

This Agreement will not create a partnership between Manager and Artist. It is specifically understood that Manager is acting under this Agreement as an independent contractor. Manager's services under this Agreement are not exclusive and Manager will at all times be free to perform the same or similar services for others as well as engage in any and all other business activities. Manager will not be required to travel or to meet with Artist at any particular place or places except upon Artist's request and then only in Manager's discretion and at Artist's expense.

VI. Manager’s Compensation

A. In consideration of this Agreement and all compensation for services rendered and to be rendered under this Agreement, Artist agrees to pay to Manager as and when received, % of all consideration received, as a result of Artist's activities throughout the entertainment, amusement, music and recording industries, including all sums resulting from the use of Artist's artistic and literary talents.

B. Without in any manner limiting the above, the matters upon which Manager's compensation will be computed will include any activities in connection with motion pictures, television, radio, music, literary, theatrical engagements, personal appearances, public appearance in places of amusement and entertainment, records and recordings, publications, and use of Artist's names, likenesses and talents for purposes of advertising and trade. Artist likewise agrees to pay Manager a similar sum following the expiration of the term of this Agreement relating to any of such matters, and upon any resumptions of such engagements, contracts and agreements which may have been discontinued during the term of this Agreement and resumed within a year afterward.

C. The terms consideration, monies and/or other considerations will include, but not be limited to, salaries, earnings, fees, royalties, gifts, bonuses, shares of profit, shares of stock, partnership interests, percentages and the total amount paid for package television or radio program (live or recorded), motion picture or other entertainment packages, earned or received, directly or indirectly by Artist, his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, or by any person, firm or corporation on Artist's behalf.

VII. Accounts and Payments

A. During the term of this Agreement and all renewals, extensions, modifications or substitutions of this Agreement, and afterward for so long as Manager collects or receives any consideration on behalf of Artist, Manager will deliver a quarterly written statement to Artist setting forth the amounts of considerations received by Manager on Artist's behalf, specifying the source and the deductions for Manager's fee, and further deducting the amount of any loans or advances paid by Manager to Artist or on Artist's behalf. To the extent possible, Manager will forward payments to Artist on a weekly basis provided there are funds to be forwarded to Artist. Upon reasonable written notice by either Artist or Manager, either Artist or Manager, as the case may be, will furnish an accounting statement to the other setting forth all transactions between Artist and Manager, within days of the date of such request.

B. All such statements and all other accounts rendered by Manager to Artist will be binding upon Artist and not subject to any objection by Artist for any reason unless specific objection in writing, stating the basis for such objection, is given to manager within months from the date such statement is rendered.

C. Manager and Manager's representatives may audit, upon reasonable notice, those portions of Artist's books and records which concern Manager, to ascertain any amount due Manager, and Manager agrees that Artist and Artist's representatives may audit, upon reasonable notice, those portions of Manager's books and records, including all relevant receipts and vouchers, which concern artist. Artist may inspect such books and records only once with regard to each statement, without exception.

VIII. Term

The term of this Agreement will be an initial term of years commencing on the date of this Agreement, with options.

IX. Suspension

In the event of any illness or incapacity, failure to perform or breach of Artist's obligations under this Agreement, Manager shall be entitled to suspend this Agreement for the duration of such breach.

X. Notices

All notices given under this Agreement must be in writing to Manager at the address set forth above and to Artist at the address set forth below or to such other address as may be designated from time to time given by certified mail. The date of deposit of such notice will be deemed the date of service.

XI. Publicity

During the term of this Agreement, Manager will have the unrestricted right to advertise and publicize itself as Artist's personal manager and representative.

XII. Waiver

The waiver of a breach of any provision of this Agreement by either party or the failure of either party to insist upon the strict performance of any provision of this Agreement will not constitute a waiver of any subsequent breach or of any subsequent failure to perform.

XIII. Assignment

This Agreement may not be assigned by Artist or Manager without written consent signed by both parties.

XIV. Entire Agreement

Artist and Manager each acknowledge that they have carefully read this Agreement; that they have had an opportunity to discuss its provisions with an attorney of their own choice; that they fully understand its contents, and have executed it voluntarily; and that this instrument expresses the entire agreement between them. This Agreement supersedes any and all prior negotiations, understandings and agreements (written and oral) between the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement. In addition, this Agreement may not be amended or changed except by a writing signed by both parties.

XV. Choice of Law

This Agreement will be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of . If any provision of this Agreement for any reason is illegal or unenforceable, then the same will not affect the validity of the remaining provisions and such provisions will be deemed stricken.

XVI. Mandatory Arbitration

Any dispute under this Agreement shall be required to be resolved by binding arbitration of the parties hereto. If the parties cannot agree on an arbitrator, each party shall select one arbitrator and both arbitrators shall then select a third. The third arbitrator so selected shall arbitrate said dispute. The arbitration shall be governed by the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in force and effect.

WITNESS our signatures as of the day and date first above stated.

_________________________, INC.

By

ARTIST (Name and Office in Corporation)

Enter text✕

What an Employment Agreement Is and when it applies

An Employment Agreement is a written contract between an employer and an employee that sets the terms of employment, including job duties, compensation, benefits, work schedule, duration, and conditions for termination. It commonly addresses confidentiality, intellectual property assignment, restrictive covenants, and dispute resolution. Agreements may be standalone or incorporated into offer letters and often reference governing law and severability. In the United States many Employment Agreements may be executed electronically under the ESIGN Act or state UETA rules where no statutory exception applies.

Why a clear Employment Agreement matters

A clear Employment Agreement reduces ambiguity, documents mutual expectations, and creates enforceable rights for pay, duties, and termination. Proper drafting supports compliance with tax and immigration rules and preserves remedies for breach.

Why a clear Employment Agreement matters

Who typically prepares and signs Employment Agreements

Employers, HR teams, and hiring managers use Employment Agreements to formalize offers and record critical employment terms before work begins.

  • Small and medium employers formalizing offers and setting consistent terms.
  • Human resources teams managing onboarding, compliance, and recordkeeping across hires.
  • Hired employees receiving clear summaries of duties, pay, and restrictive covenants.

Both employers and employees rely on the agreement as the primary contractual record for onboarding, payroll setup, dispute resolution, and regulatory compliance.

Step-by-step: prepare, sign, and store an Employment Agreement

Follow a consistent workflow to draft, authenticate, execute, and retain the Employment Agreement while meeting legal and payroll requirements.

  • 01
    Prepare Draft: State roles, pay, start date, and key clauses.
  • 02
    Add Fields: Place signature, date, and initial fields for each party.
  • 03
    Send to Signer: Use secure email or link and request consent to electronic signing.
  • 04
    Store Signed: Save the executed PDF and maintain the audit trail for records.

Essential clauses to include in an Employment Agreement

A professional Employment Agreement groups core clauses to protect both parties and to make obligations, compensation, and remedies clear and enforceable.

Duties

Describe the employee's job responsibilities, reporting relationships, daily and periodic performance expectations, any supervisory duties, and material responsibilities that affect classification, travel, or relocation obligations.

Compensation

Detail base salary or hourly rate, pay frequency, bonus and commission structures, benefits, expense reimbursements, conditions for variable pay, payroll deductions, and any deferred compensation arrangements.

Termination

Specify termination for cause and without cause, notice periods, any severance or payout formulas, return of company property, and post‑termination obligations such as ongoing confidentiality or noncompete terms.

Confidentiality

Define confidential information, permitted disclosures, duration and scope of the obligation, required handling, procedures for return or destruction of records, and remedies or injunctive relief available for breaches.

IP Assignment

Assign ownership of employee-created inventions, software, and works made within scope of employment; require disclosure, cooperation on filings, and prompt transfer of rights to the employer.

Restrictive Covenants

If included, state specific activities restricted, geographic area, temporal duration, and legitimate business interests supported; include severability and choice-of-law clauses to address enforceability variations.

Security and compliance features to document for e-signed agreements

Encryption: AES-256 encryption at rest
Transport Security: TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit
Audit Trail: Complete tamper-evident activity log
Access Controls: Role-based access and SSO
Certifications: SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001
BAA Availability: HIPAA BAA available upon request

Key risks and penalties to be aware of

Invalid Signature: May render agreement unenforceable
I-9 Penalties: $281–$2,789 per violation
Tax Withholding Errors: Backup withholding at 24%
Non-compete Risk: State-specific unenforceability
Data Breach Liability: Regulatory fines and damages
Incorrect Dates: Alters effective obligations

Common mistakes when preparing Employment Agreements

  • Leaving blanks for start date, compensation, or duties can create ambiguity and lead to disputes over pay or job expectations.
  • Using vague language for restrictive covenants or IP assignment often results in partial or full unenforceability under applicable state law.
  • Failing to complete or retain Form I-9 within regulatory timelines exposes the employer to government fines and administrative penalties.
  • Relying only on a scanned signature image without an audit trail increases the risk of challenges to intent and signer attribution.

Delivery options and platform requirements for electronic execution

Employment Agreements can be shared and signed via secure email, signing links, integrated HR systems, or RON where permitted by state law.

  • Supported Formats: PDF, DOCX, and HTML
  • Integrations: HRIS, ATS, and payroll systems
  • Authentication: Email, SMS, or advanced methods

Typical workflow settings for online Employment Agreements

Configure signer order, authentication, and reminders to match internal HR processes and legal requirements for identity and retention.

Field Configuration
Signature Fields Signature, date stamp, and initials required
Authentication Email link or SMS code; optional knowledge-based
Template Name Employment Agreement — standard template
Automatic Reminders Send reminders at 3 and 7 days if unsigned

Typical vendor pricing and capability comparison for eSignatures

Compare starting prices and key capabilities across vendors; signNow appears first in the table per platform data and pricing plans.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor
Bulk Send Yes (available in Premium) Yes Yes Yes Yes
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Varies by plan Varies by plan No No
Envelope Cap No cap 100 envelopes/user/year Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan

Key dates and filing obligations tied to employment onboarding

Certain forms and deadlines are linked to hiring and payroll; tracking these dates ensures immigration and tax compliance.

Effective Date:

Date agreement terms begin; use MM/DD/YYYY format.

Start Date:

Employee's first day of work and payroll eligibility.

I-9 Completion:

Complete Form I-9 within three business days of hire (8 CFR §274a.2).

W-4 Submission:

Employee should provide Form W-4 on or before first payroll run.

W-2 Reporting:

Employer issues W-2 to employees by Jan 31 following tax year.

Real-world examples of digital Employment Agreement use

Organizations of various sizes use eSignature workflows to execute Employment Agreements faster while preserving audit trails and integrations with HR systems.

Optica Ventures — COO

Optica Ventures substituted paper offers with digital Employment Agreements to centralize records and reduce turnaround times across remote candidates.

  • Signatures completed in hours, not days.
  • The COO said the interface is simple and easy to use for both staff and customers, which sped onboarding, reduced errors, and provided a reliable audit trail for HR and legal review.

Fertility Centers of Illinois — Founder

Fertility Centers of Illinois implemented electronic agreements to unify signature capture across locations and devices.

  • Integrated with NetSuite for records sync.
  • The founder reported strong compliance and flexibility from the integration, enabling consistent templates, faster execution, and centralized storage for audits and regulatory needs.

Practical tips for clear, enforceable Employment Agreements

Adopt standard templates, verify signer identity, and retain complete execution records to reduce legal and operational risk.

Use clear governing law
Specify the governing state for interpretation and venue. Clear choice-of-law and forum clauses reduce uncertainty and help courts resolve disputes efficiently.
Verify signer identity
Match the legal name to government ID or payroll records and use email/SMS authentication or stronger methods for higher-risk signings.
Keep the audit trail
Retain signed PDFs plus the audit record showing timestamps, IP, and authentication to demonstrate intent and attribution in disputes.
Review restrictive clauses
Have counsel review non-compete and non-solicit provisions for state-specific enforceability and tailor scope, duration, and geography accordingly.

Common questions about Employment Agreements and electronic signatures

Answers to frequent issues about enforceability, notarization, signature methods, updating agreements, and recordkeeping when using electronic execution.


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