Are you currently working without a contract? In less litigious times, a contract typically was a verbal agreement and a handshake. A written employment contract protects the employee and employer and should be a standard protocol for all professional positions including veterinarians, administration/management, and credentialed technicians. A formal job offer should be followed with a written contract for perusal. A contract can serve as a job description and set of expectations for both employee and employer.

An employer should have a base contract crafted by an employment lawyer to ensure compliance with state specific contract law and to out line salary, benefits, working conditions and expectations. The base contract can be adjusted with the specifics for each hire. Both parties should expect the contract to serve as a negotiation tool to come to a fair and equitable agreement satisfactory to both parties. Most contracts are revised a few times before agreement.

Negotiations can and should result with some compromise from each party. Red flag clauses will be discussed as well as industry trends and controversial contract topics. Prospective employees should understand practice economics, norms for their area and practice type, to advocate for competitive wages and benefits. A properly constructed contract will result in a win-win for both parties.