Alabama graphic designer employment contract template

Alabama Graphic Designer Employment Agreement

This Graphic Designer Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of this [Date], by and between [Employer Full Legal Name], a [State of Incorporation] corporation with its principal place of business at [Employer Address], hereinafter referred to as “Employer,” and [Employee Full Legal Name], residing at [Employee Address], hereinafter referred to as “Employee.”

1. Employment

• Option A: The Employer hereby employs the Employee, and the Employee hereby accepts employment with the Employer, as a Graphic Designer, commencing on [Start Date].
• Option B: The Employer hereby employs the Employee, and the Employee hereby accepts employment with the Employer, as a Graphic Designer, commencing on [Start Date], subject to a [Number] day probationary period.

2. Job Title and Responsibilities

The Employee's job title shall be Graphic Designer. The Employee's responsibilities shall include, but not be limited to:

• Visual content creation for print and digital platforms.
• Branding and logo design.
• Layout and typography.
• Digital imaging.
• Packaging design.
• Marketing collateral creation.
• Social media content design.
• Website graphics.
• Client presentation materials.

3. Required Skills & Software

• Option A: The Employee is expected to demonstrate proficiency in: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, XD, After Effects), Figma. The Employee must maintain up-to-date technical skills and proficiency in design software and hardware.
• Option B: The Employee is expected to demonstrate proficiency in: [List Specific Software].The Employee must maintain up-to-date technical skills and proficiency in design software and hardware.

4. Creative Direction & Standards

The Employee will:

• Interpret brand guidelines.
• Incorporate feedback.
• Adhere to file management standards.
• Participate in internal and client review processes.
• Archive digital assets.
• Attend creative meetings and collaborate cross-functionally.

5. Reporting Structure

• Option A: The Employee will report directly to the [Job Title].
• Option B: The Employee will report directly to the [Job Title] and collaborate with the [Team Name] team.

6. Work Location

• Option A: The primary work location is [Address], Alabama.
• Option B: The primary work location is remote, subject to the company's remote work policy.
• Option C: The primary work location is hybrid, with [Number] days per week at [Address], Alabama, and [Number] days remote.
• The Employer will/will not provide/reimburse for necessary hardware, software licenses, and internet.

7. Employment Status and Working Hours

• Option A: This is a full-time position. The standard work week is 40 hours per week.
• Option B: This is a full-time position. The standard work week is [Number] hours per week.
• Breaks and meal periods will be provided in accordance with federal law.
• Overtime will be compensated in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and Alabama wage regulations. The pay cycle is [Frequency] and the method of payment is [Method, e.g., direct deposit].

8. Compensation

• Option A: The Employee's annual salary will be [Amount], payable [Frequency].
• Option B: The Employee's hourly wage will be [Amount], payable [Frequency]. Overtime will be paid at a rate of 1.5 times the Employee’s regular rate of pay for hours worked over 40 in a workweek.
• Option C: The Employee is eligible for performance-based bonuses as determined by the Employer.
• Option D: The Employee is eligible to participate in a profit-sharing program as defined by the company policy.

9. Benefits

• Health Insurance: The Employee is eligible to participate in the Employer's health insurance plan, subject to the terms and conditions of the plan.
• Dental & Vision Insurance: The Employee is eligible to participate in the Employer's dental and vision insurance plans, subject to the terms and conditions of the plans.
• Retirement Plan: The Employee is eligible to participate in the Employer's 401(k) plan.
• Paid Time Off: The Employee will accrue [Number] days of vacation per year and [Number] days of sick leave per year.
• Paid Holidays: The Employee will receive paid time off for the following holidays: [List Holidays].
• Training/Professional Development: The Employer will reimburse up to [Amount] per year for design-related training or professional development.

10. Workplace Safety and Workers’ Compensation

The Employer will maintain a safe workplace in compliance with OSHA standards. The Employee is covered by workers’ compensation insurance as required by Alabama law.

11. Intellectual Property

• All design work, drafts, templates, layouts, creative concepts, source files, brand assets, and related materials created by the Employee during the course of employment are "works made for hire" and the exclusive property of the Employer.
• The Employee will document the licensing of all third-party assets (e.g., stock images, fonts, design resources) and obtain prior approval for their use.

12. Confidentiality

The Employee will maintain the confidentiality of all client projects, employer business plans, design briefs, proprietary methods, price lists, and trade secrets, both during and after employment.

13. Portfolio Display

• Option A: The Employee may not display completed projects without the Employer's written approval.
• Option B: The Employee may display completed projects for portfolio purposes, excluding confidential client work.

14. Outside Work

• Option A: The Employee must disclose and obtain written permission from the Employer before engaging in any freelance or external creative work.
• Option B: The Employee may engage in freelance or external creative work as long as it does not conflict with the Employer's business interests or use Employer resources.

15. Professional Development

Participation in professional design competitions, exhibitions, or community creative events is subject to Employer consent.

16. Performance Standards

The Employee will adhere to professional communication standards, brand compliance, deadlines, quality control requirements, and company style guidelines.

17. Non-Compete

• Option A: The Employee agrees not to engage in graphic design-related work for a competitor within [Number] miles of [City], Alabama, for a period of [Number] months following termination of employment. This non-compete clause complies with the Alabama Restrictive Covenants Act.
• Option B: (No Non-Compete Clause) There is no non-compete agreement associated with this contract.

18. Non-Solicitation

The Employee agrees not to solicit clients, contractors, or employees of the Employer for a period of [Number] months following termination of employment.

19. Termination

• Option A: Employment is at-will, meaning that either party may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause, subject to [Number] days' written notice.
• Option B: The Employee must provide [Number] days' written notice of resignation. The Employer reserves the right to terminate employment at any time, with or without cause, subject to applicable law.

20. Disciplinary Actions

The Employer may take disciplinary action, up to and including termination, for violation of company policies or unacceptable performance. Grounds for immediate termination include gross misconduct, theft, and repeated policy violations.

21. Equal Employment Opportunity

The Employer is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable Alabama and federal laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information.

22. Employment Eligibility Verification

The Employee must provide documentation to verify employment eligibility as required by federal law (I-9 form). The Employer [Does/Does Not] participate in E-Verify.

23. Drug-Free Workplace

The Employer [Does/Does Not] maintain a drug-free workplace policy.

24. Data Security

The Employee will adhere to the Employer's information technology and data security policies, including those relating to cloud storage, password management, and the use of licensed software.

25. Dispute Resolution

The parties agree to attempt to resolve any disputes through direct negotiation. If negotiation fails, the parties agree to mediation before resorting to arbitration or litigation. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Alabama. Venue for any legal action shall be [County] County, Alabama.

26. Severability

If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

27. Entire Agreement

This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, whether written or oral.

28. Amendment

This Agreement may be amended only by a written instrument signed by both parties.

29. Waiver

No waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless in writing and signed by the party against whom the waiver is sought to be enforced.

30. Assignment

This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors and assigns.

31. Background Check

• Option A: This offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check.
• Option B: This offer of employment is contingent upon satisfactory references and portfolio verification.

32. Modification of Job Duties

The Employer reserves the right to modify the Employee's job duties or assignment of projects within a reasonable scope.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

[Employer Full Legal Name]

By: [Employer Representative Name]

Title: [Employer Representative Title]

[Employee Full Legal Name]

Signature: ____________________________