Illinois graphic designer employment contract template

Illinois Graphic Designer Employment Contract

This Illinois Graphic Designer Employment Contract (the “Agreement”) is made and effective as of [Date] by and between [Company Name], a [State] corporation with its principal place of business at [Company Address] (“Employer”), and [Employee Name], residing at [Employee Address] (“Employee”).

1. Position:

• Option A: The Employer hereby employs Employee as a full-time Graphic Designer.
• Option B: The Employee is hired as a Graphic Designer and will report to [Manager Name].

2. Job Responsibilities:

The Employee shall perform the following duties:

• Develop visual concepts and designs.
• Create layouts and typography.
• Design brand identities and marketing collateral.
• Produce graphics for print and digital media.
• Design UI/UX assets.
• Edit images and create vector illustrations.
• Brainstorm creative ideas.
• Apply branding guidelines consistently.
• Collaborate with marketing, product, and communications teams.
• Participate in project meetings and feedback cycles.
• Adhere to approval workflows.
• Required Software and Tools: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), Figma, Sketch [Add other required software].
• Required Hardware: [Specify hardware specifications].
• Required Skills: [Specify required professional skills and certifications].
• Other duties as assigned.

3. Work Location:

• Option A: The Employee’s primary work location will be at [Company Address], Illinois.
• Option B: The Employee will work remotely from [Employee Address], Illinois, subject to the Employer's remote work policy. The Employee agrees to maintain a secure and confidential workspace. All equipment must be secured against unauthorized access. The Employee must comply with data protection procedures.
• Option C: Hybrid work arrangement: [Specify the number of days onsite and remote].

4. Employment Status and Schedule:

• Option A: The Employee is a full-time employee.
  • The standard work schedule is 40 hours per week, [Start Time] to [End Time], Monday through Friday.
• Option B: The standard work schedule is the Employer's standard work week schedule of [number] hours per week.
• Option C: Flexible work schedule: [Specify the flexible scheduling options].
• Overtime: Overtime work requires prior approval from [Manager Name]. Overtime will be compensated in accordance with Illinois wage and hour laws. All Illinois minimum wage, overtime pay standards, meal and rest break regulations, and requirements under the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act shall be adhered to.

5. Compensation:

• Option A: The Employee’s salary will be [Salary Amount] per year, payable [Pay Period, e.g., bi-weekly].
• Option B: The Employee’s hourly wage will be [Hourly Wage Amount] per hour, payable [Pay Period, e.g., bi-weekly].
• Payment Method: [Specify payment method, e.g., direct deposit].
• Bonus/Commission:
  • Option A: The Employee is eligible for design-related performance bonuses based on [Bonus Criteria].
  • Option B: The Employee is eligible for project-based commissions at a rate of [Commission Percentage].
  • Option C: Merit increases will be considered annually based on performance.
  • Option D: The Employee is eligible for profit sharing as defined in the company's profit-sharing plan.

6. Benefits:

• Health Insurance: [Specify health insurance details].
• Vision Insurance: [Specify vision insurance details].
• Dental Insurance: [Specify dental insurance details].
• Disability Insurance: Short-term and long-term disability insurance are provided.
• Paid Time Off: The Employee is entitled to [Number] days of paid time off per year in accordance with Illinois law.
• Sick Leave: The Employee is entitled to sick leave in accordance with Illinois law.
• Holidays: The Employee is entitled to [Number] paid holidays per year.
• Retirement:
  • Option A: The Employer participates in the Illinois Secure Choice Retirement program.
  • Option B: The Employer offers a 401(k) plan.
• Professional Development: The Employer will provide a subsidy of up to [Dollar Amount] per year for professional development activities.

7. Intellectual Property:

All work products (artwork, source files, drafts, templates, design concepts, branding assets) created by the Employee within the scope of employment are the exclusive property of the Employer under Illinois "work for hire" principles. This includes all stock assets, open-source fonts, and third-party resources utilized in work product.

8. Copyright and Moral Rights Waiver:

To the extent permitted by Illinois law, the Employee waives all moral rights in the work products. The Employee must disclose any prior works or materials incorporated into company projects.

9. Confidentiality:

The Employee agrees to maintain the confidentiality of all client information and proprietary design concepts. Public portfolio use of works created during employment requires prior written consent from the Employer.

10. Outside Activities:

• Option A: The Employee may not engage in any freelance, external, or personal design work without the Employer's prior written consent.
• Option B: The Employee may engage in freelance or personal design work, provided it does not create a conflict of interest with the Employer's business and the Employee obtains advance written authorization.

11. Conduct and Performance:

The Employee must comply with the Employer's brand guidelines, adhere to the review and approval process for deliverables, meet deadlines, and maintain professional conduct in interactions with internal and external clients. The Employee must maintain up-to-date knowledge of design trends and accessibility standards relevant to Illinois clients (e.g., ADA considerations).

12. Technology and Equipment:

The Employer will provide or reimburse the Employee for graphic design hardware, licensed software, and high-resolution resources needed for effective role performance. [Specify any specific equipment or software to be provided.]

13. Non-Competition/Non-Solicitation:

• Option A: During employment and for a period of [Number] months following termination, the Employee shall not engage in any business that competes with the Employer within a [Radius, e.g., 50-mile] radius of [Company Location], Illinois. This clause is subject to the Illinois Freedom to Work Act and is only valid if the Employee's earnings meet or exceed the minimum threshold established by Illinois law. This non-compete clause shall be narrowly tailored, supported by adequate consideration, and limited in duration and geography as required by Illinois law.
• Option B: During employment and for a period of [Number] months following termination, the Employee shall not solicit the Employer's clients or employees.

14. At-Will Employment:

Employment is at-will, meaning either party may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, subject to the notice provisions below and compliance with Illinois law.

15. Termination:

• Option A: Either party may terminate this Agreement with [Number] days written notice.
• Option B: Termination shall be immediate for cause.
• Upon termination, the Employee will receive a final wage payment in accordance with Illinois law. The Employee must return all design equipment and files. An exit interview will be conducted. Severance, if any, will comply with Illinois law.

16. Compliance with Laws:

The Employer will comply with all applicable Illinois employment laws, including providing mandatory employment posters and employee notifications.

17. Anti-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity:

The Employer is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, order of protection status, disability, or military status, as protected by the Illinois Human Rights Act.

18. Health and Safety:

The Employer will maintain a safe working environment in compliance with the Illinois Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), including ergonomic practices and screen time management.

19. Statutory Benefits:

The Employer will provide Illinois unemployment insurance, workers’ compensation, and other statutory benefits as required by law.

20. Dispute Resolution:

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois. Any disputes shall be resolved in the state or federal courts located in [County Name] County, Illinois. Prior to litigation, the parties agree to participate in good faith mediation.

21. Acknowledgment:

The Employee acknowledges receipt and understanding of company policies, including design asset security, acceptable use of company equipment, and recordkeeping responsibilities.

22. Assignment of Inventions:

The Employee assigns to the Employer all inventions conceived or reduced to practice during employment. The Employee agrees to assist in perfecting intellectual property rights. Reverse engineering or unauthorized use of company proprietary tools or systems is prohibited.

23. Background Check/Eligibility to Work:

This offer of employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background check and proof of eligibility to work in the United States as required by Illinois and federal law. The Employer will utilize E-Verify as required.

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

[Employer Name]

By: [Employer Signature]

[Employer Printed Name]

[Employee Name]

[Employee Signature]

[Employee Printed Name]