Establishing secure connection…Loading editor…Preparing document…

Employment Clients Agreement

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

EMPLOYMENT CLIENTS AGREEMENT

This Employment Clients Agreement (the Agreement) is entered into effective as of by and between Client Name: with principal address: (hereinafter "Client" or "Employer") and Employee Name: (hereinafter "Employee").

Personal Information

Position Information

Anticipated Start Date:   Salary/Rate:   Pay Period:

Employment Type:

Employment History

Education

References

Legal Disclosures and Authorizations

At-Will Employment: The parties acknowledge that, unless otherwise agreed in a signed written amendment, Employment is at-will and either party may terminate the employment relationship at any time for any lawful reason, with or without cause or notice. Employee expressly acknowledges this at-will relationship by initialing:

Equal Employment Opportunity: Client is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions will be made without unlawful consideration of protected characteristics. By signing below Employee acknowledges receipt of this statement and affirms compliance with any employment eligibility verification.

Background and Reference Checks: Employee authorizes Client and its agents to investigate Employee's background, employment history, education, credit history where job-related, and to contact references and prior employers. Employee authorizes disclosure of information to and from third parties for employment evaluation purposes. Employee's consent:

Confidentiality; Inventions; Non-Solicitation

Confidential Information: Employee will not, during or after employment, use or disclose Client's confidential information, trade secrets, financial data, customer lists, pricing, or other proprietary information except as required in the course of performing duties. Employee agrees to return all Client property and documents upon termination.

Invention Assignment: Employee agrees to disclose promptly and assign to Client any inventions, improvements, discoveries or works of authorship made during the period of employment that relate to the business or result from use of Client resources.

Non-Solicitation: During employment and for a period of twelve (12) months following termination Employee will not solicit Client's employees or direct clients or customers for the purpose of providing services competitive with Client. If a court finds the duration or scope unreasonable, the parties agree it will be reformed to the maximum reasonable duration or scope.

Compensation, Benefits, and Expense Reimbursement

Compensation and Benefits: Employee will receive compensation as set forth above and will be eligible for benefits in accordance with Client's policies as in effect from time to time. Benefits, if any, including but not limited to health insurance, paid time off, and retirement plans, are subject to the terms of the applicable plan documents.

Expense Reimbursement: Client will reimburse Employee for reasonable, pre-approved business expenses upon submission of appropriate receipts and in accordance with Client policy.

Termination and Remedies

Termination: In addition to at-will termination rights, Client may terminate Employee immediately for material breach of this Agreement, misconduct, or violation of law or policy. Employee may resign upon providing notice as may be required by Client policy. Final compensation will be paid in accordance with applicable law and Client policy.

Remedies: Employee acknowledges that breach of confidentiality or non-solicitation provisions may cause irreparable harm and that Client is entitled to seek equitable relief, including injunctive relief, in addition to monetary damages.

Indemnity; Governing Law; Miscellaneous

Indemnity: Employee shall indemnify and hold harmless Client from any claims, liabilities or losses resulting from Employee's gross negligence, willful misconduct, or breach of this Agreement.

Governing Law: This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the jurisdiction where Client's principal place of business is located, without regard to conflict of law principles.

Entire Agreement; Amendment: This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter herein and supersedes prior agreements. Any amendment must be in writing and signed by both parties.

Applicant Certification and Authorization

I certify that all information provided in this Agreement and accompanying documents is true, complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I understand that any false statements or material omissions may result in revocation of an offer or termination of employment. I authorize Client to verify all information contained in this Agreement and to obtain background, criminal, credit (where job-related) and reference checks.

Authorization Signature:

Additional Terms (Optional)

Client (Employer) Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Employee Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Enter text✕

What an Employment Clients Agreement Covers

An Employment Clients Agreement is a written contract that sets the terms governing services provided by an individual or firm to an employer or contracting organization. It typically defines the parties, scope of services or duties, compensation and billing, term and termination rights, confidentiality obligations, intellectual property ownership, and dispute-resolution procedures. For employment-related engagements the document often coordinates with onboarding items such as tax forms, I-9 verification, and confidentiality or nondisclosure provisions. A clear, complete agreement reduces later disputes and clarifies responsibilities for both client and worker.

Why a Clear Employment Clients Agreement Matters

A properly drafted Employment Clients Agreement reduces ambiguity about duties, pay, and ownership of work product, and provides a contractual basis for enforcement. It helps manage compliance risks tied to tax reporting, confidentiality, and employment classification while supporting consistent operational onboarding and recordkeeping.

Why a Clear Employment Clients Agreement Matters

Who Typically Prepares and Signs This Agreement

Identifying the right preparer and signer up front reduces rework and supports timely collection of required onboarding documents.

  • Human resources teams and hiring managers who onboard employees or contractors and own compliance checks and record retention.
  • Independent contractors, consultants, and outside service providers who require clear payment, IP, and liability language.
  • In-house counsel or outside attorneys who review terms for risk allocation, noncompete limits, and applicable statutory requirements.

Core Sections to Include in an Employment Clients Agreement

A professional agreement organizes obligations and protects both parties. Include defined sections so reviewers and signers can find key terms quickly.

Parties

Full legal names and entity types for each party, including state of formation for entities and the signer's title to establish authority and attribution.

Scope

Precise description of services, deliverables, milestones, and any exclusions so expectations and acceptance criteria are clear.

Compensation

Payment amounts, schedule, invoicing procedures, late fees, and who bears taxes or withholdings if relevant.

Term & Termination

Start and end dates, renewal mechanics, notice periods, and termination for convenience or cause with any cure periods.

Confidentiality

Nondisclosure scope, permitted disclosures, return/destruction of materials, and duration of confidentiality obligations.

Signatures

Signature blocks for all parties with printed name, title, date, and witness or notarization fields if required by jurisdiction.

Step-by-Step: How to Complete and Obtain Signatures

Follow these steps to prepare, route, and finalize an Employment Clients Agreement efficiently and compliantly.

  • 01
    Draft: Populate all required fields and attach exhibits.
  • 02
    Review: Have legal or HR confirm classification, tax, and IP clauses.
  • 03
    Send for Signature: Route to signers in the required order with authentication.
  • 04
    Store and Distribute: Save signed copies and deliver countersigned PDF to parties.

Configuring a Digital Signing Workflow

Set workflow options to match your approval order and authentication needs before sending for signature.

Field Configuration
Signer Order Sequential or parallel routing per internal policy
Authentication Email link, SMS code, or KBA depending on risk
Templates Reusable template with locked fields for consistency
Notifications Reminders and completion receipts enabled for all signers

Typical Document Flow: From Preparation to Archive

The following four actions describe where the agreement goes during a standard e-signature cycle.

  • Upload Document: Add the contract PDF or DOCX to the signing platform.
  • Place Fields: Insert signature, initials, date, and optional conditional fields.
  • Send to Client: Deliver by email link or embedded signing portal.
  • Archive: Store signed PDF with audit trail for retention.

Technical and Integration Considerations for eSigning

Align integrations and file formats with your HRIS and document repository to enable automated routing and secure storage.

  • Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, Google Workspace, Microsoft 365 supported
  • File Formats: PDF, DOCX, and HTML accepted for uploads
  • Authentication: Email, SMS, or stronger methods available

Timelines and Typical Processing Timeframes

Expect standard internal deadlines to ensure onboarding and compliance activities occur before or on an employee's start date.

Signature Deadline:

Request signed agreement returned within 3–7 business days to avoid start-date delays.

Countersignature Window:

Allow up to 5 business days for employer countersignature and distribution.

I-9 Documentation:

Collect identification per employer policy and retain per federal rules.

Tax Form Delivery:

Provide any employee tax forms (W-4, W-9 on request) before first payroll.

Record Access:

Make signed copies available to parties immediately after completion.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Preparing the Agreement

  • Leaving the effective or start date blank, causing ambiguity about when obligations arise and when payroll should begin.
  • Using vague scope language; failing to list deliverables or acceptance criteria leads to disputes over completion and payment.
  • Mismatched party names versus tax or formation records, which can disrupt tax reporting and impede enforcement.
  • Neglecting required disclosures or consumer consent where ESIGN requires consumer-facing consent language.

Regulatory and Practical Risks of Incorrect Agreements

Invalid Signature: May render agreement unenforceable
I-9 Penalties: $281–$2,789 per violation
1099 Filing Penalty: $60–$330 per form
Intentional Disregard: $660+ per form, no cap
HIPAA Breach: Civil and corrective action risks
Tax Withholding: Backup withholding 24% for missing TIN

Comparing eSignature Vendor Pricing and Core Capabilities

Select a provider based on volume, required compliance (HIPAA, 21 CFR Part 11), and integration needs; signNow is listed first for direct comparison.

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 Varies Varies Varies
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Frequently Asked Questions About Employment Clients Agreements

Answers to common execution, validity, and storage questions to help you finalize agreements without common pitfalls.


Need help? Contact support

be ready to get more
Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users