3 ms·

If you’re asking us here in HN, then it’s very unlikely that you have the sort of negotiating power required to get any sizable company to approve a customized

If you’re asking us here in HN, then it’s very unlikely that you have the sort of negotiating power required to get any sizable company to approve a customized set of legal documents relating to your hire. Changes to the standard set of hiring paperwork often require multiple managers and lawyers to sign off on it. For most positions and candidates, the effort isn’t considered worth it. You can certainly ask, but don’t be surprised if you get a hard “sorry, but no” in response. If you were being hired in as a VP or CxO and were extremely well known, that’d be one thing. But only a few people have that sort of privilege and clout. (Disclaimer: I work for AWS but am not involved in the hiring process other than interviewing. My views may not represent those of my employer. Opinions are my own.)

randyrand 5y ago
I was able to add an addendum to my rental agreement created by a fairly sizeable property manager. Addendums are much easier for them to agree to.
- otterley 5y ago
  First, a lease is not an employment agreement. Different situation. Second, did the addendum directly contradict or void language in the standard form lease crafted by corporate legal? If not, there's probably more room for negotiation there. Even in standard employee agreements, there's often an "invention disclosure form" that sort of operates as a built-in addendum for the new hire to fill out. This helps prevent the employer from claiming ownership over things the employee worked on prior to hire.
  - randyrand 5y ago
    Yes, it contradicted and voided certain ridiculous language in the first agreement. I didn’t ask for much but I limited my liability back to common sense.
vorpalhex 5y ago
I frequently get exceptions and changes to contracts. This has included me telling I flat out would not sign a particular document. Never actually had it be a blocker or a problem. I'm just an engineer. Lots of people will say it's a problem. They will claim it's going to be a big issue. It isn't. Just stick to your guns. Be polite and be patient. Make it clear you have plenty of time available. I had someone try to get my spouse to sign a contract without seeing it. The woman even had the gall to be offended when we declined without seeing it. After some hutzpah, we ended up literally sitting at this random employees desk for 20 minutes reading the contract before signing it. Even that, while stupid, was not a big deal. You always have the right to have a lawyer review documents. You can always take it home with you. You can always ask for changes. The worst they can do is say no - and usually they will say yes.
- jandrese 5y ago
  When I signed the paperwork for my house I stopped to read all of it first. The escrow person then asked my wife if I was a lawyer or an engineer. Apparently nobody else ever reads them before signing.
- otterley 5y ago
  Out of curiosity, what was the size of the largest employer you were able to negotiate an employment agreement with, and what was the term at issue?
  - usr1106 5y ago
    At an international corporation with 60k employees I was once able to leave an amendment to my contract unsigned. I told them straight that the amendment is impossible to fulfill and I won't sign it. Legal told me, oh then just put it into the paper shredder. The amendment granted me significant benefits. My line manager panicked and said you won't see the money. Howewer, the money appeared into my account as originally agreed even though I had not signed that part of the contract. Yes, I was already an employee, which probably changed things. Still I was very surprised how easy it was. I would not count on that every time, especially if you are not an employee yet and like me not a really famous case that your employment would make headlines. P.S. I did not shred it, but kept it for the case I would need it for any purpose. I never needed it, I was fully paid as agreed by email but never signed on paper.

randyrand 5y ago

I was able to add an addendum to my rental agreement created by a fairly sizeable property manager. Addendums are much easier for them to agree to.

otterley 5y ago
First, a lease is not an employment agreement. Different situation. Second, did the addendum directly contradict or void language in the standard form lease crafted by corporate legal? If not, there's probably more room for negotiation there. Even in standard employee agreements, there's often an "invention disclosure form" that sort of operates as a built-in addendum for the new hire to fill out. This helps prevent the employer from claiming ownership over things the employee worked on prior to hire.
- randyrand 5y ago
  Yes, it contradicted and voided certain ridiculous language in the first agreement. I didn’t ask for much but I limited my liability back to common sense.

vorpalhex 5y ago

I frequently get exceptions and changes to contracts. This has included me telling I flat out would not sign a particular document. Never actually had it be a blocker or a problem. I'm just an engineer. Lots of people will say it's a problem. They will claim it's going to be a big issue. It isn't. Just stick to your guns. Be polite and be patient. Make it clear you have plenty of time available. I had someone try to get my spouse to sign a contract without seeing it. The woman even had the gall to be offended when we declined without seeing it. After some hutzpah, we ended up literally sitting at this random employees desk for 20 minutes reading the contract before signing it. Even that, while stupid, was not a big deal. You always have the right to have a lawyer review documents. You can always take it home with you. You can always ask for changes. The worst they can do is say no - and usually they will say yes.

jandrese 5y ago
When I signed the paperwork for my house I stopped to read all of it first. The escrow person then asked my wife if I was a lawyer or an engineer. Apparently nobody else ever reads them before signing.
otterley 5y ago
Out of curiosity, what was the size of the largest employer you were able to negotiate an employment agreement with, and what was the term at issue?
- usr1106 5y ago
  At an international corporation with 60k employees I was once able to leave an amendment to my contract unsigned. I told them straight that the amendment is impossible to fulfill and I won't sign it. Legal told me, oh then just put it into the paper shredder. The amendment granted me significant benefits. My line manager panicked and said you won't see the money. Howewer, the money appeared into my account as originally agreed even though I had not signed that part of the contract. Yes, I was already an employee, which probably changed things. Still I was very surprised how easy it was. I would not count on that every time, especially if you are not an employee yet and like me not a really famous case that your employment would make headlines. P.S. I did not shred it, but kept it for the case I would need it for any purpose. I never needed it, I was fully paid as agreed by email but never signed on paper.