Employment contracts are a lot more complicated than you might imagine. A lot of people don’t even consider negotiating a new contract, while others go into negotiations with the sole aim of negotiating a higher pay rate. However, there’s so much more to think about than this.
We’d highly recommend negotiating every single contract you’re ever offered. Unless it’s perfect, there’s always room for improvement. It could be worth consulting employment lawyers to ensure you’re getting the most out of your negotiations. And remember, money is only a small part of the negotiation process.
With this in mind, we’ve put together the following list of our top tips for contract negotiation.
- Speak With an Employment Lawyer
When the time for contract negotiations are coming up, it could be worth getting in touch with your local employment lawyers. They will be able to work with you to ensure your contract is legally binding and fair, regardless of its terms.
On top of this, a lawyer who understands the complexities of Australian employment contracts will be able to ensure you’re getting the best deal possible. Again, it’s not all about money, and a lawyer will help you get the best outcome possible
- Start With a Draft and Keep It Simple
Meanwhile, it’s a good idea to start with a simple contract draft to ensure you and your employer agree with the main points. Once you’ve fleshed out the main components of your contract, you can begin to fine-tune the terms and conditions.
At the same time, it’s important to keep your contract simple. Avoid complicated jargon and unnecessary details, as all they will do is confuse you.
- Understand What You Want to Get Out of Your Contract Negotiations
It’s important to understand what you want to achieve with your contract negotiations. If your sole aim is to get a higher pay rate, then sure, that’s okay. We’d recommend considering other things as well though, including:
- Penalty rates.
- Holidays and sick leave terms.
- Non-monetary benefits and compensation.
- Any costs that will be covered, including things like fuel, food, and protective equipment.
- Any other bonuses you could potentially get.
As you can see, this doesn’t have to be too complicated, but it’s worth addressing the fine points.
- Backup Your Arguments With Facts
Finally, it’s a great idea to come to contract negotiation meetings armed with facts to back up your arguments. For example, you might be asking for a higher pay rate based on the industry standard. You will have a much better chance of getting this if you can provide information that the industry standard rate for your position is indeed higher than you’re being offered.
Negotiating employment contracts might seem a little daunting at first, but it’s worth doing. Speak with your local employment lawyer, identify exactly what you hope to achieve by negotiating your new contract, and make sure you’re clear with your employer on your demands and why they should be met.
Good luck!