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Essential Information You Should Know About the Employment Agreement in Iowa
An employment agreement in Iowa is a legally recognized contract between employers and newly hired workers or employees. The agreement outlines employment and contract termination terms and has important clauses regarding company policies.
The agreement comes with many benefits for the employer and the employees. First, it protects employer's trade secrets and essential information from abuse. It also protects the employer from fraudulent employees.
In addition, employees will feel secure and at peace knowing that the contract protects their interests. The agreement also enumerates employee duties, allowing employees to focus on their roles and perform better.
What's included in the Agreement?
The Iowa preliminary employment contract form has a wide range of information, including:
- Employer and employee information
- Job description
- Compensation and benefits
- Rights of the employee
- Terms and conditions for termination
- Company Policies
- Working hours
- Duration of the contract
Note that employment agreements in Iowa are not only used when hiring permanent employees but also short-term employees, contractors, freelancers, and sub-contractors. So, the contract is created based on the job and the type of employee to be hired.
The Legal Requirements
Iowa recognizes three main types of agreements – Written, verbal, and implied.
In a written agreement, all the terms of employment are put into writing. The document is then signed by both parties (the employer and employee). When it comes to an oral or verbal employment contract, all the details are discussed and agreed upon orally between the employer and the employee. Implied contracts are based on the employer and employee's actions and conduct and are usually not backed by a written agreement.
So, you need to know that the agreement doesn't have to be written to be legal in Iowa. Both oral and implied contracts are legal and can be enforced. However, creating a well-written agreement is essential if you want to feel protected and secure.
The document will protect your interests and even act as evidence in case of a lawsuit by the employee. Creating the document is usually easy, as you can use an online preliminary employment contract to draft one that is ideal for your business and the job/project on offer.
Various Types of Iowa Employment Agreements
There are many types of Iowa employment contacts that serve different purposes. Here are the common types:
- Permanent agreements are used when hiring an employee permanently.
- Fixed-term employment contracts are used by a company or employer to hire employees for a specified period or to handle a specific job/assignment.
- The non-compete agreement limits employees from working for competitors or creating a competing enterprise after leaving the company.
- A non-disclosure agreement is a restrictive contract preventing an employee from sharing valuable information about current or previous employers.
Companies and employers in Iowa should create contracts that protect their interests and don't violate the rights of the employees. And with a well-written agreement, both parties can have a smooth working relationship.
Enforceability of Employment Agreements in Iowa
Iowa enforces all employment contracts that adhere to the state’s employment and public policy laws. For the agreement to be legal, it must include an offer, acceptance, and consideration. However, it may not be enforced if the agreement doesn't adhere to public policy.
For instance, if a contract requires an employee to work for less than the minimum wage, it will not be enforced as it is against public policy.
In addition, Iowa permits at-will employment, allowing employees to quit or be dismissed by employers for any reason without any legal consequence. But there will be exceptions with a valid employment contract in place.
If you want to create an employment contract in Iowa, forms.legal can help. We offer free Iowa employment agreement forms that will suit your preferences. All you need to do is complete the template online with the required information, download it, and print it when done.