How to Read an Employment Contract Before You Sign
Before signing an employment contract, read it in full and check the job title and duties, salary and benefits, working hours, probation period, notice and termination terms, and any non-compete or confidentiality clauses. If anything is unclear or missing, ask before you sign.
Why the contract matters more than the conversation
Verbal promises during interviews are easy to forget and hard to enforce. Your written contract is what counts. Reading it carefully — once — can save you months of frustration later.
The clauses to check
1. Job title, duties, and reporting line
Make sure the role and responsibilities match what you discussed, and that the contract doesn't let your duties be changed unilaterally without limit.
2. Salary, benefits, and end-of-service
Confirm the gross and net pay, payment schedule, bonuses, allowances, and any end-of-service entitlement. Vague language here is a common source of disputes.
3. Working hours and leave
Check the standard hours, overtime treatment, annual leave, sick leave, and public holidays.
4. Probation period
Note the length of probation and the notice required during it — termination terms are often different while on probation.
5. Notice and termination
Understand how much notice each side must give, what counts as cause for dismissal, and what happens to pay and benefits on exit.
6. Restrictive clauses
Non-compete, non-solicitation, and confidentiality clauses can limit what you do after you leave. Read these closely — they can be broader than you expect.
A faster way to review it
You can upload your contract to Lawfe and get a plain-language summary, the key clauses, and a risk assessment in seconds — then take any remaining questions to a certified lawyer.
Related legal area: Labour & Employment Law →
