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Agreement on Compensation: How to Use a Template or a Lawyer to Draft Your Agreement



A compensation agreement is a legal contract created in addition to an employment contract. It outlines complex compensation packages and is often used for employees who work in high-level positions.


Suppose you are hiring commission-based employees or employees for a high-level position that will earn a combination of bonuses, a stock incentive plan, and other forms of remuneration in addition to their salary. In that case, you probably need to add a compensation agreement to their employee onboarding package.




Agreement on compensation



The purpose of a compensation agreement is to formalize complex remuneration packages into a legal contract so that all parties involved understand when and how various types of payment will be earned and paid.


There are various types of compensation agreements for different kinds of employee contracts that might be offered to employees. Usually, compensation agreements are used when the compensation package is complex and multi-faceted. Still, it could be any of the following or a combination of several:


In many cases, some types of compensation an employee will earn will be subject to conditions. So, for instance, an employee might only earn a commission on sales or revenue above a certain predetermined value. Or, they might only be entitled to own stocks after they have been with the company for a specific time.


Compensation agreements usually follow a specific template, starting with both parties' names and contact information. They then set out each type of compensation that will be paid, along with all relevant terms and triggers.


For a compensation agreement to be a legal contract, it must also be signed, dated, and witnessed. The employer will retain the signed original, and the employee will usually be given a signed copy of the document for their records.


Finally, suppose there are clauses about payments made on termination of employment or any penalties that either party might pay. In that case, a compensation agreement can ensure no disputes or confusion.


A Compensation Agreement is used by an employer to record a negotiated change in wage or earning potential for an employee. As an example, after a new employee completed their probationary period, the employer and employee agree to a new wage amount in the form of a raise. Both parties could use a Compensation Agreement to document the change.A Compensation Agreement acts as a supplemental form to an Employment Contract, in that it does not replace it, but rather amends or changes the details regarding employee compensation to the new terms."}},"@type":"Question","name":"What should be included in a Compensation Agreement?","acceptedAnswer":"@type":"Answer","text":"A Compensation Agreement should include information about the parties involved (the employer and employee), and details about how the employee will be compensated for their work, like hourly wage, yearly salary, commission, etc. The agreement also needs to include how often the employee receives their wages, such as monthly or every two weeks.LawDepot's Compensation Agreement prompts you to enter details about earnings as part of the questionnaire, but you can also add any additional clauses that might be unique to your situation.As an example, a salesperson may be entitled to receive a bonus if they exceed sales targets during a business quarter.","@type":"Question","name":"What is the difference between a Compensation Agreement and an Employment Contract?","acceptedAnswer":"@type":"Answer","text":"An Employment Contract typically covers things like the employment term (the length of time the employee will work with the company, if applicable), details about holidays, sick leave, and bereavement polices, as well as details about the initial compensation an employee receives when they begin their employment.A Compensation Agreement is usually introduced at some point during the employment term (such as after a probationary period or an annual review process) to outline any changes in wages, like a raise or bonus, or even changes in non-monetary compensation, such as additional vacation or personal days. The agreement simply records the employee's updated wage amount and other details related to their new compensation terms."]} Compensation Agreement Alternate Names:A Compensation Agreement is also known as a/an:


A Compensation Agreement acts as a supplemental form to an Employment Contract, in that it does not replace it, but rather amends or changes the details regarding employee compensation to the new terms.


A Compensation Agreement should include information about the parties involved (the employer and employee), and details about how the employee will be compensated for their work, like hourly wage, yearly salary, commission, etc. The agreement also needs to include how often the employee receives their wages, such as monthly or every two weeks.


An Employment Contract typically covers things like the employment term (the length of time the employee will work with the company, if applicable), details about holidays, sick leave, and bereavement polices, as well as details about the initial compensation an employee receives when they begin their employment.


A Compensation Agreement is usually introduced at some point during the employment term (such as after a probationary period or an annual review process) to outline any changes in wages, like a raise or bonus, or even changes in non-monetary compensation, such as additional vacation or personal days. The agreement simply records the employee's updated wage amount and other details related to their new compensation terms.


An employment contract can take the form of a traditional written agreement that is signed and agreed to by the employer and employee. However, more often employment agreements are "implied" from verbal statements or actions taken by the employer and employee, company memoranda or employee handbooks, or policies adopted during employment.


One of the advantages of formal agreements is that the employer and the prospective employee can get an understanding of the job responsibilities and expectations before the job begins. Whether the employment agreement involves independent contractors or full-time employment, it could be essential to have clear definitions and explanations of the duties and obligations of both parties.


Many states also recognize that a verbal statement by an employer, such as "you'll be here as long as your sales are above budget," may create a binding contract of employment. However, the enforceability of such verbal agreements is limited by a legal doctrine known as the "statute of frauds," which provides that an oral agreement that cannot be carried out in less than one year is invalid.


In the above example, because the employee conceivably could have fallen below budget and been fired within one year, the agreement would be enforceable, even if the employee was not fired. A verbal contract must also be specified to be enforceable. A statement such as "You'll have a job here as long as you like" generally will not be enforced.


In general, the scope of such an agreement, whether the geographic area covered or the length of time it lasts, must be no broader than necessary to protect the employer's business. In addition, while a covenant not to compete may typically be imposed on a new employee as a condition of employment, if it is imposed on an existing employee, it must be supported by some independent consideration beyond a simple promise of continued work, such as a raise, a bonus payment, or improved commission terms.


1. CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT: An employee confidentiality agreement is a contract (or part of a contract). The employee promises not to share any information about the employer's business or the employer's secret processes, plans, formulas, data, or machinery. Usually, a confidentiality agreement lasts even after the employee no longer works for the employer.


6. NO ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION: The "no additional compensation" clause states that if the employee becomes an elected director or officer of the company or serves on a company managing committee, the employee will not be entitled to additional compensation for doing that work.


8. TERMINATION: A standard part of any employment contract is the "termination" clause. It states that either party may terminate the employment contract for any reason by giving reasonable notice, such as two weeks' notice. It may also provide the employer the right to terminate the contract without notice if the employee violates the agreement in any way. Another aspect of the termination clause is that the employer has the right to terminate the contract if the employee becomes permanently disabled because of ill health or physical or mental disability such that the employee can no longer do the job.


10. CHOICE OF LAW: Employment laws vary from state to state. Some states have laws generally viewed as more favorable or beneficial to employers than employees, or vice versa. The "choice of law" provision in an employment contract is an agreement that, if the parties ever have a dispute that results in a lawsuit, the laws of a particular state will govern it, no matter where the suit itself is filed.


There are advantages and disadvantages to employment agreements. It's essential to weigh your options and make sure that the contract terms are fair. If you're afraid that you might be locked into obligations or duties that won't be fair to you, you might want to seek advice from a lawyer. Find an employment attorney today to review your contract.


Please date the document with the date it is completed and complete the section under For the Reporter. The Commission will review all of your Trading Partner Document and once you are approved for production in Virginia, we will complete the For the Jurisdiction section and return a copy of the signed agreement to you for your records.


Section 32 Waiver Agreements are a negotiated agreement between the injured worker and the insurance carrier to settle indemnity and/or medical benefits on a claim. A waiver agreement ends the right of an injured worker to ongoing and future benefits in exchange for a lump sum payment or an annuity. If agreed upon and approved by the Board, whatever is settled (indemnity and/or medical benefits) is closed forever. The insurance carrier will no longer be responsible for that part of the claim, and it cannot be reopened. If indemnity benefits are settled, no further payments for lost wages will be made. If medical benefits are settled, the insurance carrier will no longer pay for medical care. A waiver agreement is not binding unless it is approved by the Workers' Compensation Board. 2ff7e9595c


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