The attorneys at Patterson Harkavy regularly work with employees entering into contracts with their employer. Whether you are starting a new job, leaving your current position, or being asked to sign an agreement by your employer, our attorneys can help ensure that you understand your obligations, maximize your benefits, and protect your rights moving forward.
If you are negotiating or have received a contract related to your employment, contact our attorneys to see if we can help protect your rights and your interests.
A severance agreement is an arrangement made between an employee and employer at the end of the employment relationship. These agreements can be very valuable to a departing employee. However, just because an employer offers you a severance agreement does not mean that you should accept it. You may be waiving your rights, cutting off the ability to be compensated for employment discrimination or harassment, or limiting your ability to find future employment.
Several factors can affect whether or not signing a severance agreement is actually in an employee’s best interest. Questions an employee should ask include:
Our employment attorneys can meet with you to review your employment history, what you want to do in the future, and the reasons you were terminated, to help determine if signing an agreement is to your advantage. We can also identify and negotiate for beneficial changes to the offer with your employer to ensure your interests are protected. Employees are often asked to sign severance agreements on a short deadline. Don’t enter into an agreement without making sure you understand its terms and are comfortable that signing it is in your best interest.
A non-compete agreement is a contract in which an employee agrees not to compete against the employer following the end of the employment relationship. Employers value non-compete agreements because they prevent competitors from taking advantage of a departing employee’s training, knowledge, and relationships within the industry and with potential customers. Signing a non-compete agreement can greatly impact an employee’s ability to secure new employment if they are terminated or resign.
Courts treat non-compete agreements differently than regular contracts. Courts will only enforce non-compete agreements if they are limited to reasonable geographic areas and prohibit competition for a reasonable period of time. There is not an easy way to determine if a given non-compete agreement is enforceable. Whether you are being asked to enter into a non-compete agreement, or you are interested in finding out whether an existing agreement is enforceable, our attorneys can help you understand your rights and your options.
If your employment with an employer is ending, you have the right to negotiate the terms of your severance agreement or non-compete agreement. Patterson Harkavy’s employment lawyers have negotiated on employees behalf across North Carolina. We can help you consider the terms of the agreement and decide if signing is in your best interest. If you have any questions about an employment contract, non-compete agreement, or severance package, call Patterson Harkavy toll free at 1-800-458-2541 or contact us online.
