Pennsylvania Employment Law Blog

Studying and becoming licensed as a health practitioner is a difficult process. Some of its advantages, however, may be diminished by making these typical mistakes when entering employment contracts for medical professionals.

First, practitioners may not consider long-term personal and career goals. For example, job applicants may enter a contract that takes them away from engaging in their preferred practice activities or receiving outside revenue from activities such as public speaking or writing. A non-compete clause may restrict them from practicing in a location they choose to live and work.

Losing a job may terminate a worker's only source of income and important benefits, such as heath care. Some workers, especially those in senior positions, may be offered a severance package with continued payment of salary for a time, stock options, job-search assistance and other benefits. When employment contracts may not contain the terms of these packages, employers may offer severance agreements which contain employee benefits in return for the surrender of important rights.

The employer, for example, may seek a confidentiality agreement or non-competition agreement that prevents a worker from being employed by a competitor or within a certain geographic radius for a certain time. Other terms may stop an employee from taking legal action for wrongful termination or saying anything negative about their former employer.

An employment contract can govern a medical practitioner's career and professional life for many years. There are numerous tips for negotiating employment contracts for medical professionals. First, the offer of employment and potential employer should be carefully considered. All positive and negative aspects of the offer and the employer are important. One positive or negative matter should not disqualify the employer or seal the deal.

Practitioners, especially those first coming out of residence, should not be hesitant or self-conscience about negotiations or discussing issues. Interviewers expect applicants to ask questions, which will also reflect that they fully researched the employer and the position. Also, it should not be assumed that potential employers will withdraw job offers if an applicant engages in negotiations. Their efforts in considering an applicant and the offer usually reflect their hope that the applicant will accept the job offer. An applicant should be wary of an organization that is unwilling to negotiate or deal with questions.

When a personal situation arises that is outside your control, your entire world may come to a screeching halt. No matter what the circumstances, sometimes life makes it impossible to go about your business as usual.

When something occurs in your personal life, do you know what your employer can do to help? The federal government created the Federal Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to help employees out when certain personal situations arise. Does your issue fit the criteria?