Contract 101: The Basics

At MEDRelief Staffing, our recruiters understand the challenges of job searching and aim to provide assistance throughout the process. Whether you're seeking a local position or a travel job, contracts often play a significant role. To shed light on this topic, we present the Contract 101 series, where our recruiters offer insights and advice on negotiating contracts, identifying crucial contract elements, and more.?

Securing a job offer doesn't necessarily alleviate the difficulties of job hunting; in fact, it introduces a new set of challenges associated with employment contracts. A job contract is a legally binding agreement that outlines the rights and responsibilities of both the employee and the facility. While contracts may appear complex and intimidating, a good contract ultimately serves the interests of both parties involved.?

An ideal contract should have a fair pay rate that meets the needs of the employee. The contract should have all the details of the job included in it, such as the pay rate, the location, the schedule, the duration of the contract, and the general responsibilities of the employee. Additionally, a contract may include information such as a confidentiality agreement, benefits, and other policies the facility follows. Many people get excited when they are offered a new job, but everyone should look through the contract and see if there are any red flags.?

If the verbiage of the contract is different from what you agreed to during the interview or any other time you were in communication with the facility, that is a red flag. For instance, if you requested specific days off, but it’s not listed in the contract, that is a red flag. You need to make sure that those dates are listed so there are no future issues with someone saying they didn’t know you needed that time off. You should also check to make sure the payment quoted in the contract is the payment you agreed to. Check your stipends, your per diem, and anything meant for your travel and housing if it’s applicable. If anything is different from what was verbally quoted to you or communicated to you, those are big red flags.?

If you spot anything you didn’t agree to or you don’t like in a contract, you still have some leeway to negotiate a contract. Do not sign a contract unless you agree to all the terms. Stay tuned for our part on how you can negotiate a contract!

If you're looking for a job and want tips on topics such as resume building, how to ace an interview, red flags to look out for, and more, read our other blogs or check out our podcast, Staffing Stat!