Position
Title, duties, reporting structure, and location.
A written contract reduces ambiguity about job scope, pay, and termination, helping prevent disputes and ensuring compliance with wage, tax, and employment laws. It clarifies obligations like confidentiality and IP assignment and documents negotiable terms such as bonuses and restrictive covenants. Properly executed agreements also support audit trails and regulatory compliance for personnel records.
Employers and employees use employment contracts in a range of situations where written terms reduce legal or operational risk.
Contracts are also common when state law or industry regulation requires written documentation of terms, or when parties want enforceable restrictive covenants or confidentiality protections.
Title, duties, reporting structure, and location.
At-will language or fixed-term details, notice, severance, and cause definitions.
Base pay, bonus criteria, equity grants, payment schedule, and tax withholding.
NDA language, invention assignment, and ownership of work product.
Noncompete, nonsolicit, and geographic/scope limits — tailored to state law.
Arbitration or forum selection, choice of governing law, and fee allocation.
| Field | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Signature Field | Required for employee and authorized employer signer |
| Date Field | Automatic date on signature or manual MM/DD/YYYY |
| Initials | Use only where clause-specific acknowledgment is needed |
| Authentication | Email link minimum; SMS or ID verification for higher assurance |
Choose a platform that supports required authentication, audit trails, storage, and integrations with HR and payroll systems.
Ensure the chosen platform produces durable copies (PDF/A or equivalent), stores an audit trail, and meets any industry-specific compliance needs.
Determines start of employment obligations and payroll reporting
Establish pay dates to meet state wage-payment laws
W-2 to employee by Jan 31 each year
Retain per 8 CFR §274a.2 requirements
Deadlines tied to hire date and plan rules
| 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 |
| Envelope Cap | No cap | 100 envelopes/user/year | Varies | Varies | Varies |