Employment Contract Playbook

Know what to look for before accepting your next job offer. From non-competes to equity vesting, we break down every clause that matters.

2
Critical Red Flags
3
Warning Signs
6
Protections to Ask For
5 min
Estimated Skim Time
Quick Jump
Biggest Trap in Employment Contract Contracts

Garden Leave Clause

You are paid but cannot work elsewhere during notice period, which sounds good but can hurt your career momentum

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The 3 most important things to check first

1

Overly Broad Non-Compete

Non-compete clauses covering multiple states, industries, or lasting more than 2 years are often unenforceable and a red flag.

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2

IP Assignment Beyond Employment Scope

Clauses that claim ownership of personal projects or work done outside company time and resources.

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Critical Red Flags

Requires immediate attention
critical

What to Watch For

Common red flags we find in these contracts

Overly Broad Non-Compete

Critical

Non-compete clauses covering multiple states, industries, or lasting more than 2 years are often une...

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Warning Signs

Review carefully
warning

What to Watch For

Common red flags we find in these contracts

At-Will with Notice Period Only for You

Warning

You must give 2-4 weeks notice, but they can terminate immediately without cause.

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What to Ask For

Must-Have Protections

Checklist of protections your contract should include

Essential (Must Have)

Written job description and reporting structure

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What's Fair

Industry Benchmarks

What is normal vs. what should raise concerns

Metric
Industry Standard
Red Flag
Non-compete duration
6-12 months
2+ years
Non-compete geography
State/Region
National/Global
Severance (executives)
3-12 months
None
Equity cliff
1 year
2+ years
Notice period
2 weeks mutual
One-sided
Bonus payout on termination
Pro-rated
Forfeited
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Benchmarks based on industry standards. Individual contracts may vary based on specific circumstances.

Negotiation Scripts

Negotiation Tips

3 scripts available

Copy-paste scripts for common negotiation scenarios

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Scenario

Non-compete is too broad

"I am excited about this opportunity, but I would like to discuss the non-compete..."

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Scenario

No severance mentioned

"I noticed the offer does not include severance terms. Given my commitment to thi..."

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Get ready-to-use, copy-paste negotiation scripts crafted by legal experts. Just paste into an email or use in conversation.

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Common Traps

Common Traps

Sneaky clauses that often catch people off guard

Garden Leave Clause

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Learn about all the sneaky clauses that catch people off guard, with detailed explanations and exactly what to clarify.

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Related Playbooks

Freelance Agreement

Independent contractor, consulting, and gig work contracts

Non-Disclosure Agreement

NDAs, confidentiality agreements, and mutual NDAs

Partnership Agreement

Business partnerships, joint ventures, and co-founder agreements

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