Employment law
Before signing an employment contract: what should you compare with the offer?
Put the offer, draft contract and annexes side by side. Note differences concerning the work, pay and workplace first. Turn unclear arrangements into specific questions before signing.
Prepared and sources reviewed:
Reviewed by Skirmantas Šmuilys, head of MB Opus Justitia, on .
Prepare one review pack
Keep the draft contract, job description, offer and emails discussing the terms. Add a version date to each file. Identify which documents are for information and which are intended for signature.
Five points to compare
- Do the job title and listed duties match the work offered?
- Are the agreed pay, its components and the conditions for variable pay clear?
- Do you understand the workplace, remote work and business travel arrangements?
- Do working hours, the start date and the contract duration match your understanding?
- Do you have every annex and separate agreement referred to in the text?
How to frame a useful question
Instead of saying “the contract is unclear”, identify the clause, explain your understanding and state what needs clarification. For example: “The offer mentions a monthly bonus, but I cannot find its calculation conditions in the draft.” This is an example of preparing a review, not a conclusion about the legality of a particular term.
Questions and answers
What should I prepare for an employment contract review?
Prepare the latest draft, annexes, offer and a list of questions. If the contract has already been signed, include amendments and explain what concerns you.
Should I send all correspondence?
Start by identifying the messages relevant to the term being reviewed and their context. Briefly describe the issue in your initial enquiry; we will agree how to share documents separately.
Official sources
This is general preparation information, not individual legal advice. Specific action and current rules must be assessed against your circumstances.