What is an Arizona Employment Contract?
An Arizona employment contract is a legally binding contract between an employer and an employee. Employment contracts can also be used by a company to hire contractors, subcontractors and freelance workers.
The purpose of an employment contract is to protect both parties throughout the working relationship. Employees are protected because the contract outlines the details of the job, scope of work, payment amount, and protects the employee from termination without just cause.
The employer is protected because most employment contracts include non-compete and non-disclosure clauses that protects the company from competition and keeps trade secrets confidential.
An employment contract allows both parties to fully understand each other’s intentions and expectations throughout the duration of the professional relationship.
Are Employment Contracts Enforceable in Arizona?
Arizona is an employment-at-will state and a right-to-work state. Both of these terms apply to different Arizona state employment laws.
- Employment-at-will. Arizona allows either the employee or the employer to terminate employment at any time for any reason as long as the reason does not violate state statutes. The only exception to employment-at-will is an enforceable employment contract. This can sometimes include policies laid out in an employee handbook.
- Right-to-work. Right-to-work prevents employers from forcing employees to join a union if the employer has a contract with a union. Employees in Arizona have the “right to work” without being a part of the union and paying union fees.
What Are the Legal Requirements for Arizona Employment Contracts?
Under Arizona Statutes governing labor, employment contracts are enforceable, but they must be written and signed by both the employer and the employee. Arizona employment contracts can include a variety of terms and conditions, but the terms of the agreement cannot violate state statutes or public policy.
What is Wrongful Termination?
A breach of an employment contract can occur if the employee is wrongfully terminated for reasons not in the employment contract or for reasons that are protected by state or federal laws.
Wrongful termination can include:
- Firing an employee as an act of retaliation (for whistleblower actions or filing worker’s compensation claims, etc.)
- Violating an employee's civil rights
- Missing work due to jury service
- Exercising voting rights
- Non-membership in a labor organization
- Military service
If an employee is fired for any of the above reasons or is fired against the terms laid out in the employment contract, they may have a claim for breach of contract due to wrongful termination and could be entitled to recoup any damages caused by the termination.
Types of Arizona Employment Contracts
Employment contracts come in many forms based on the type of work the company does or the type of employee being hired to complete the job. The three most common types of employment contracts are permanent, fixed term, and consultant agreements.
- Permanent. This is the most common type of employment contract and is used by a company to hire a permanent employee. The employee will have regular hours and be paid an hourly rate or salary. These contracts do not have an end-date and employees benefit from a wide range of labor rights under Arizona state law.
- Fixed term. These contracts are used for workers who will only work for a specific period of time or to complete a specific job. At the end of the contract, employees are either brought into permanent employment or a new contract with a new term is executed.
- Consultant agreement. If a company hires a contractor or a freelance worker, they will most likely execute a consulting agreement employment contract. This contract lays out the terms of the working relationship between the two parties and should expressly state that the worker is not an employee of the company, but an independent contractor.
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Meet some of our Arizona Employment Contract Lawyers
Owen K.
I am an experienced transactional attorney with substantial experience (10 years, including at a large national law firm and a public company) in the review/markup and drafting of a wide variety of commercial contracts. I am efficient and business-minded and am capable of taking an aggressive or more modest approach, depending on your preferences, leverage, and urgency. I look forward to working with you! https://www.linkedin.com/in/owenkirk/
Elizabeth A.
I represent business and consumer clients to help them address the range of legal issues that concern them including business contractual disputes, debt litigation, and related matters.
June 22, 2023
David U.
I help clients with: buying and selling commercial properties including multi-family and office projects, subdivisions, retail shopping centers; and negotiating leases for retail and office landlords, retail tenants and office tenants. Over 23 years I've honed my skills by running deals at an Amlaw-100 firm, an elite real estate boutique in Aspen, Colorado and a few highly regarded national firms based in Denver, Colorado, before starting my own solo practice in 2016. Since 2016 I've been helping my clients with real estate and business deals. I'm a commercial real estate and business expert with a passion for helping clients forge successful ventures in an efficient and understandable manner.
July 19, 2023
Courtney A.
Hello! I am a transactional attorney enthusiastic about helping entrepreneurs launch and protect their businesses. Let me know how I can support you with drafting and negotiating contracts, setting up your LLC, copyrighting creative content, or trademarking your brand. I am experienced with drafting and negotiating business contracts, including service/vendor agreements, NDAs, marketing agreements, licensing agreements, terms & conditions, terms of use, and many more! I have helped companies develop strong template agreements and strategies for contract management. My goal is to deliver a simple, stress-free client experience!
September 5, 2023
Holly W.
I am a solo legal practitioner in Tucson, Arizona who focuses on Estate Planning, Probate, Business Formation and Mediation. I have expertise and experience in not only law but as a Registered Nurse and teacher. I use this background and knowledge to provide compassionate and individualized service for my clients.
September 8, 2023
Connie M.
Copyright, trademark, and intellectual property contracts and licenses. General Business contracts. Practical and comprehensive advice and contract drafting in an efficient, no-nonsense manner. She routinely represents clients needing copyright, trademark, and intellectual property contracts and licenses in the book publishing industry, music publishing, and all aspects of art and entertainment. She has represented both sides of the table - creators and authors and corporations and businesses. After 40 years of experience she has seen most business models and structures and has worked with many general contracts in different industries.
November 5, 2023
Darren W.
My main focus is estate planning and business transactions, but I have had many practice areas throughout my career, including criminal defense and prosecution, civil litigation from neighborhood squabbles to corporate contentions. I have also worked in bankruptcy, family law, collections, employment law, and personal injury. I stand ready to assist in any area to which I feel I can be of service, but will not try to fake it if I do not know the area of law I am being asked to serve in.
Find the best lawyer for your project
Browse Lawyers NowArbitration
Employment Contract
California
What's the arbitration agreement in an employment contract?
I am currently in the process of negotiating an employment contract with a new employer. I am concerned about the arbitration agreement in the contract, as I am not sure what it is or how it could affect me in the future. I want to make sure that I understand the implications of the arbitration agreement before signing the contract.
Gagandeep K.
An arbitration agreement is a legally binding contract between two parties or more so in this case between you and the employer. In the Arbitration Agreement both parties agree to use alternative dispute resolution (e.g., mediation, settlement conferences, neutral evaluation, arbitration) rather than pursuing civil court litigation in case a dispute arises. The Arbitration Agreement typically describes the scope of the disputes covered as well as the process, procedure and other requirements related to arbitration. You can read more about Arbitration Agreement here https://www.contractscounsel.com/t/us/arbitration-agreement.
Contracts
Employment Contract
Ohio
What's personal leave in an employment contract?
I have recently been offered a job, and the employment contract I have been provided with states that I am entitled to personal leave. I am not sure what this is, or what it entitles me to. I would like to know what rights and responsibilities I have regarding personal leave, and what the employer's expectations are of me with regards to this leave.
Jeffrey K.
Personal leave sometimes replaces vacation and sick time. Some employers just give employees time off for whatever reason the employee chooses. To know more about the rights and responsibilities, you should speak to HR at your new employer who will help you with the employer's expectations and your rights under the leave provision in your contract. Also, look at your contract as it may provide insight as to how to implement the leave. When in doubt, speak to HR. Thanks.
Business
Employment Contract
Florida
What's the safety policy in an employment contract?
I recently accepted a job offer from a new employer and as part of the employment contract, I need to understand the safety policy in the workplace. I understand that safety policies in the workplace are important for the protection of both employees and employers, but I am not sure of the specific details of the safety policy included in my employment contract. I would like to know what safety policies are included in the contract in order to ensure that I have a safe working environment.
Diane D.
Without seeing the contract, there is no way of knowing.
Employment
Employment Contract
Florida
What's probationary period in an employment contract?
I am a recent college graduate who recently accepted a job offer from a company. As part of the offer, I was asked to sign an employment contract. I understand that the contract includes a probationary period, but I'm not sure what that entails. I would like to know what the probationary period is and what it means for me as an employee.
Diane D.
A period of time to evaluate you and to show that you're a good fit for the job and that you are fully qualified for it. At the end of the probationary period, they will either keep you on or terminate you.
Estate Planning
Employment Contract
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What's vacation time in an employment contract?
I recently accepted a new job and I was provided an employment contract to review. In the contract, there is a section about vacation time, but it is not very clear. I'm trying to understand what vacation time is included in the contract and what the expectations are for taking time off. I want to make sure I have a clear understanding of my rights and responsibilities regarding vacation time before I sign the contract.
Diane D.
You can create your own will. However, having an attorney draft it for you will ensure that your wishes are carried out in all circumstances. Doing it yourself without having any experience may cause many problems after your demise.
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ContractsCounsel User
Dental Employment Contract
Location: Iowa
Turnaround: Less than a week
Service: Contract Review
Doc Type: Employment Contract
Page Count: 15
Number of Bids: 5
Bid Range: $650 - $1,500
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The Clinic 1099 Employment Contract
Location: California
Turnaround: Less than a week
Service: Contract Review
Doc Type: Employment Contract
Page Count: 8
Number of Bids: 3
Bid Range: $450 - $1,200
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