A reader writes:
I at present have a suggestion for an inner switch to a unique division in my firm — similar stage however new crew and scope of labor. I’m planning on negotiating the wage provided (utilizing a few of your recommendation from prior letters!) which I’d clearly need in writing, however I’m questioning if a few of my different asks (variety of days within the workplace, particular hours within the workplace) also needs to be in writing?
Finally, with an at-will job wherein case the employer can at all times change the scope/necessities at any time when they need, is there even a degree to getting sure flexibilities in writing? For an exempt, salaried place, I’ve by no means seen work preparations specified, so would it not be cheap to ask for it to be written as a part of the supply?
You must get it in writing.
That’s not as a result of placing it in writing will make it legally binding. Usually within the U.S., it gained’t. As you famous, employers can nonetheless change the phrases of your employment at any time (except you’ve got a contract, which most U.S. employees don’t).
However placing it in writing nonetheless considerably will increase the chance that the phrases of your employment might be what you agreed to.
Firstly, it protects you towards misunderstandings and miscommunications (such as you suppose you’re agreeing to 2 WFH days every week, however they suppose it’s as much as two WFH days per week, topic to supervisor approval) and even folks simply forgetting particulars down the street. It’s additionally helpful to have a file of the settlement if there are personnel adjustments — like if a decision-maker guarantees you a wage assessment in six months however leaves the corporate after three months and nobody else is aware of something about that dialog. They nonetheless won’t finally abide by it, however having documentation of what was agreed to makes it extra seemingly.
Second, the act of writing these items down can carry misunderstandings to the floor earlier than something is finalized. For instance, in the event you mentioned X however they understood it as Y, placing it in writing is prone to make everybody understand that you just’re not on the identical web page, thus providing you with the chance to iron it out earlier than it’s too late.
Third, getting it written down can typically sign to an employer, “Oh wait, we had higher actually suppose this via.” Folks shouldn’t make guarantees off the cuff with out totally pondering them via, however typically they do — which is how you find yourself beginning a job pondering they agreed you may carry your parrot in however then discover out it’s a no-go as soon as after they really verify with somebody. Simply the act of asking to place one thing in writing can nudge folks to verify they actually have all of the sign-off’s they’ll want.
Some corporations are very inflexible about what they are going to and gained’t put in a suggestion letter and gained’t budge from their regular boilerplate so as to add in extra particulars, even after they’re honest about no matter they’re agreeing to. Should you’re coping with an employer like that, strive merely summarizing the settlement in an e-mail your self — framing it as, “I wished to summarize the main points we’ve mentioned. Would you look this over and ensure this seems to be proper to you?” (And in the event that they gained’t even try this a lot, take that as an indication that the settlement is probably not as agency as you thought.)
