3 ms·

I've read all my past employment contracts and all of them have been readable and understandable (UK). I've even gone back and challenged points before and got

I've read all my past employment contracts and all of them have been readable and understandable (UK). I've even gone back and challenged points before and got some removed or, for example, been given a waiver allowing me to run a company in my spare time (as the contract said you couldn't unless you had asked). I realise I have much higher reading comprehension than most people, and have more bargaining power than a Deliveroo rider, but I find it crazy someone wouldn't read their own employment contract from start to end.

arethuza 10y ago
Actually, on the subject of employment contracts (which I wasn't talking about originally) I've had to resort to multiple lawyers who gave conflicting advice on seemingly innocent and clearly written parts of a contract I had. The experienced lawyer who realised what trick a particular clause was trying to pull saved me quite a chunk of cash!
- biot 10y ago
  What was the trick?
  - arethuza 10y ago
    I can't remember the details - was over 2 years ago. But I was on 6 months notice and I was leaving for my current job and I (i.e. my lawyer) negotiated getting 3 months pay out of them and it was something to do with the tax on that lump sum - either they would have had to pay or I would. They wanted me to sign a severance agreement under pressure and I handed it across to the lawyer and he did a splendid job of negotiating away all the silly terms and got them to pay his legal fee (which is actually pretty common in the UK).
scaryclam 10y ago
I'm in the same boat here. Heck, I make it clear that I won't even hand in my notice until I'm happy with the contract and it's signed. If a prospective employer won't allow contractual changes or clarify parts of the contract that are too broad, run away.
- Ensorceled 10y ago
  .. and if they say something like "oh, don't worry, our VC lawyers just wanted that clause, we would NEVER enforce that", run very fast.

arethuza 10y ago

Actually, on the subject of employment contracts (which I wasn't talking about originally) I've had to resort to multiple lawyers who gave conflicting advice on seemingly innocent and clearly written parts of a contract I had. The experienced lawyer who realised what trick a particular clause was trying to pull saved me quite a chunk of cash!

biot 10y ago
What was the trick?
- arethuza 10y ago
  I can't remember the details - was over 2 years ago. But I was on 6 months notice and I was leaving for my current job and I (i.e. my lawyer) negotiated getting 3 months pay out of them and it was something to do with the tax on that lump sum - either they would have had to pay or I would. They wanted me to sign a severance agreement under pressure and I handed it across to the lawyer and he did a splendid job of negotiating away all the silly terms and got them to pay his legal fee (which is actually pretty common in the UK).

scaryclam 10y ago

I'm in the same boat here. Heck, I make it clear that I won't even hand in my notice until I'm happy with the contract and it's signed. If a prospective employer won't allow contractual changes or clarify parts of the contract that are too broad, run away.

Ensorceled 10y ago
.. and if they say something like "oh, don't worry, our VC lawyers just wanted that clause, we would NEVER enforce that", run very fast.