As a director, it is essential to have a service agreement in place to ensure that both you and your employer are on the same page regarding your job responsibilities, compensation, and termination clauses. A service agreement is a legally binding document that outlines the terms and conditions of the employment relationship between the director and the company.
Here are some key elements that should be included in a service agreement for a director:
1. Job responsibilities: The service agreement should clearly outline the duties and responsibilities of the director. This section should cover everything from daily tasks to long-term strategic planning.
2. Compensation: This section should detail the director`s compensation, including salary, bonuses, stock options, and any other benefits.
3. Confidentiality and non-disclosure: As a director, you may be privy to sensitive information about the company, its clients, and its operations. The service agreement should contain clauses regarding confidentiality and non-disclosure to ensure that you do not divulge any confidential information to third parties.
4. Termination clauses: The service agreement should outline the circumstances under which your employment may be terminated, as well as any notice period and severance pay that may be provided.
5. Intellectual property: If the director will be creating intellectual property during their employment, such as inventions, trademarks, or patents, the service agreement should contain clauses that assign ownership of these creations to the company.
6. Conflict of interest: The service agreement should address any potential conflicts of interest that may arise during your employment. For example, if you serve on the board of another company, this should be disclosed and addressed in the service agreement.
7. Governing law and jurisdiction: Finally, the service agreement should specify the governing law and jurisdiction in the event of any legal disputes.
In addition to these elements, the service agreement should also be written in clear, concise language that is easy to understand. As a director, you will likely be working with legal and financial documents on a regular basis, but it is still important to ensure that the service agreement is written in plain language that is accessible to all parties involved.
By having a well-crafted service agreement in place, you can help to avoid misunderstandings and ensure a successful and productive working relationship with your employer.