Parties
Identify the employer legal entity and the employee or contractor by full legal name and, if applicable, business name for independent contractors; include employer EIN or contractor TIN where required.
A clear proposed contract documents mutual expectations, reduces ambiguity on pay and duties, and provides a record for onboarding, payroll, tax, and compliance purposes. Drafting terms explicitly helps prevent disputes and supports consistent HR practices.
The Employment Proposed Contract is used across hiring workflows and by several roles within organizations.
Use the document to record consistent offers and to evidence acceptance; keep a signed copy in the employee file once executed.
Identify the employer legal entity and the employee or contractor by full legal name and, if applicable, business name for independent contractors; include employer EIN or contractor TIN where required.
Describe title, key responsibilities, reporting relationship, expected hours or classification (exempt/nonexempt), and any deliverables or performance milestones tied to compensation or bonuses.
Specify base salary or rate, pay frequency, commission or bonus structure, equity or stock options (if any), benefits enrollment periods, and any relocation or signing allowances.
State whether employment is at-will or fixed-term, provide an exact effective/start date in MM/DD/YYYY format, and include conditions precedent such as background checks or visa approvals.
Set notice periods, severance entitlements (if any), grounds for cause termination, and obligations upon termination such as return of property or final pay calculation.
Include confidentiality, invention assignment, non-solicit/non-compete clauses as applicable under state law, and specify governing law for dispute resolution.
| Field | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Order of Signers | Sequential routing: candidate first, HR second, hiring manager third |
| Authentication | Email link plus optional SMS code or KBA for higher-assurance signers |
| Attachments | Require ID upload or signed background-check authorization before final signature |
| Audit Trail | Enable full timestamps, IP logging, and download of certificate upon completion |
Employment Proposed Contracts can be signed electronically; choose platform options that meet security and compliance needs.
Set a clear acceptance deadline (e.g., 7 business days) to hold the terms.
Confirm MM/DD/YYYY start date to trigger benefits and payroll setup.
Complete I-9 within three business days of hire (8 CFR §274a.2).
Allow time for background checks; typical turnaround 3–10 business days.
Employee must enroll within employer-specified window after start date.
A small investment firm used a standardized proposed contract to centralize offers and reduce negotiation cycles.
A healthcare provider attached credential verification contingencies to each offer to ensure compliance before start.
| 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, no card | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan |
| Bulk Send | Yes (Business Premium) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Audit Trail | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HIPAA Compliant | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Envelope Cap | No cap | 100 envelopes/user/year | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan |