87% of You Don’t Use Employment Contracts

question:

Do you require new employees to sign an employment contract?

Yes: 13%

• Every employee starts with a 90-day probationary period. After that the employee is evaluated and either confirmed with the company or their probationary period is extended with goals that need to be met. — Stephanie P., Mount Vernon, OH
• Only OD associates. — Melanie J., Spring Hill, TN

No: 87%

• No other employees besides myself. — Abe Z., Brooklyn, NY
• If it’s an hourly employee, it seems really silly to have them sign a contract. Maybe if it was a new doctor or something. — Kelsey B., Winston Salem, NC
• Our state is an “at will” state. While we go over expectations and desires at hire, there’s no point in signing an employment contract. They do sign other agreements at hire (regarding HIPAA protections, etc.). — Jen H., Sandpoint, ID
• We only have them sign required paperwork. We use Practice Compliance Solutions for our HR info and onboarding paperwork. — Pam P., Downers Grove, IL
• They must sign that they read and understood the employee handbook. — Kristina J., Mishawaka, IN
• Never thought about it. — Jeffery L., Oneonta, AL
• Not necessary. — Richard F., Wildwood, NJ
• What are they going to sign? Non-competes are not enforceable. Non-disclosure? You don’t have any supper secret stuff in your optical/optometry practice. — Kevin C., Glenview, IL
• If I had a staff, I would definitely be discussing acceptable and unacceptable behavior. I think every employer has the right to hire an employee on a trial basis. If they aren’t a good fit, then it’s “see ya.” If you don’t fit our work ethic and our standards, then we can’t employ you. — Jennifer L., Dansville, NY
• Contracts don’t retain employees, and if they do, do you really want an employee around who is there only because of a contract? — John B., Middlefield, OH
• Everything is in our Policy and Procedure Handbook, if any questions arise, we reference it. — Mark P., Orlando, FL
• This is something that was done previously but at the end of the day it meant nothing in terms of justified terminations or not. Instead, we talk about what our desires are for patient care and office interactions and most staff respond well to that and we have very little issues. — Zachary D., Saint Peter, MN