Offer Letter of Hire

Congratulations! You've just been hired as a legal researcher by "Cheaper than You Think!", a small (5 employee) legal research company. The following is a sample employment contract that sets out the proposed terms of employment for "Legal Researchers".

Do you see a legal difficulty (such as an ESA violation) with any of the terms set out below? If so, briefly explain what the problem is, immediately below the paragraph where it's located. If you do not see a legal issue in that paragraph, indicate that as well. (Note: This question relates to LEGAL issues only. For purposes of this question, assume that the "legal researcher" is covered by all of the provisions of the Employment Standards Act.)

Cheaper than You Think!

Legal Research Company

Oct. 31, 2021

Dear (your name):

Re: Employment Contract

Welcome to Cheaper Than You Think! Legal Research Company. We're delighted to have you join us. As per our earlier discussions, this letter sets out the terms of your employment with our firm.

Cheaper Than You Think! Legal Research Company(the "Employer") hereby offers you employment on the following terms:

• The Employer hereby agrees to employ you as a legal researcher. Your normal hours of work will be 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from Monday through Friday, with a one hour, unpaid break for lunch.
• Your research work will be performed in your home office and the Employer will forward research assignments to you electronically. You will return finished assignments in the same manner.
• You will docket (keep a time record of) your research hours and forward hours worked in the previous week period every Monday morning. It is your responsibility to maintain accurate records of all hours worked for at least one year and we will do the same.
• If there are any serious and careless errors in your research work that put our clients at a substantial disadvantage, we will deduct between 5 - 50% off the amount otherwise owed to you for that research.
• You will be paid at the rate of $14.25 per hour.
• On occasion, you may be required to work hours in addition to those set out above in order to complete an important assignment on time. For hours worked in excess of 48 hours in a work week you will be paid at the rate of time and a half your regular rate.
• You will receive two weeks paid vacation per year, to be taken at a time to be determined by the Employer. Payment will be based on 3% of your earnings for the year, not including overtime pay.
• You are entitled to the following paid public holidays: New Years' Day, Family Day, Ground Hogs' Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Civic Holiday (August 1^st), Thanksgiving Day, Remembrance Day, and Christmas Day.
• You are entitled to 1 paid sick day per year for absences related to your own health issues.
• The Employer may terminate this contract at any time, and for any reason, by providing you with two week's written notice. If you are dismissed on a "without cause" basis, you will be given two weeks' notice or pay in lieu of notice.
• You may terminate this contract at any time and for any reason by providing two weeks' written notice.
• You hereby agree that if you leave our employ for any reason you will not own, or work at, a legal research firm in the City of Toronto for two years after leaving our employment.

___________________________________ __________________________

Employee Date