You might be super excited to finally receive that employment contract and get working, but it's important that you read through it carefully instead of just signing on the dotted line. It's a legally binding commitment you make to the employer, so you need to make sure that you have a clear picture of what you’re getting into.
Here are 6 things to always check before signing an employment contract:
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Job title and description
Know the roles and duties your employer expects you to perform. These should be specific, or you could find yourself doing tasks you can’t or don’t want to do.
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Salary and benefits
Do they match what you discussed? You should also make sure how and when you will be paid.
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Cause of termination
What reasons can you be dismissed for? Make sure you find out about the notice period.
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Start/end date and notice period
Having a stipulated notice period is important because it gives both parties some time to prepare their next step, for instance, when you resign for another job.
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Holidays and sick leave
There is strict legislation regarding leave in South Africa to protect you. Things to check: How many days of leave you are entitled to, whether you can take holidays at busy times of the year like Christmas, whether you can carry any leave days over to the next year.
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Working hours
What are they? Will you get paid for overtime? You need to be clear on company policy and be prepared to negotiate.