Congratulations – you got a new job! In the midst of an awful economic slump due to COVID-19, this is a great achievement. No matter whether this is your 10th job, your first part-time job, or your first full-time graduate role, not everyone is an expert in employment issues. Should you bite the bullet and sign your new contract of employment without a second thought? Definitely not. It is very important that you read it and read it again, not just for dramatic effect but for the benefit of your job prospect.
This is not an unnecessary part of getting a new job, this is a priority and you must ensure you go through the contract with a fine-tooth comb. This will allow you to alleviate any issues before your first day on the job. If you are in this position, keep reading to find out five things you should consider before you sign on the dotted line.
Ask Questions
This may seem like one of the most obvious points, but if you are reading your contract and you don’t understand something in it, ask your questions. Making the time to thoroughly go through the document and familiarise yourself with the terminology will help. Google is your friend here! Ensure that the job title is the one advertised on the post you applied for as this will essentially reflect the work you will be completing day to day. Make a checklist of your questions and be sure to get them answered – your prospective manager will be happy to answer them.
Consider your Salary
We’re not telling you to negotiate your salary – in fact, you definitely should not do this, especially if you’re new to the company or a graduate. You want to take what you can get, especially during the midst of so many companies drowning in the unemployment pool due to the aspects of coronavirus. It is important that the salary in your contract is reflective of that on the job description, or the one you were told at your job interview. Make an effort to ensure the payment details are included in the contract, as this will be a useful reference for the future.
Invest in Expert Advice
A third thing to do before you sign your contract is to invest in an employment solicitor. Employment solicitors are trained experts in employment law and have an abundance of skills to help business owners and employees. Ultimately, experts recommend that you should invest in a solicitor’s services. They can provide you with fantastic help regarding your contract, as it is one of their specialities. They seek to examine employment contracts and make sure everything it consists of is legal and correct. Employment lawyers also come in handy if you need advice surrounding your employer, so maintaining good contact will be useful for the future.
You are probably wondering, how much do solicitors charge? This all depends on where you source your advice and how much advice you actually need. Invest in a solicitor who is fully transparent about their finances and rates; this will avoid misunderstanding in the future.
Consider all of your Options
A final point to that you should reflect on is to consider all of your options. Accepting a job is a huge job and it comes with a lot of financial responsibility. As lucky as you are to have been offered a job, consider if you are truly ready to fulfil the job description set out in the contract of employment. The COVID-19 pandemic has installed a lot of fear into the soon to be employed population. As much as you may need the job, think about how much worse your mental health may become if you lost the job almost as quick as you started it.
This article has composed multiple factors worthy of consideration before you sign your employment contract. Does it contain all the necessary information? Perhaps the most important consideration of all is to take all the expert advice from an employment solicitor. After all, they are experts in the field and won’t have you signing a faulty contract. Overall, make sure you do enough research before you sign your contract.