Iowa graphic designer employment contract template

Iowa Graphic Designer Employment Contract

This Full-Time Graphic Designer Employment Contract (the "Agreement") is made and entered into as of [Date] by and between [Employer Name], a [State] [Entity Type] with its principal place of business at [Employer Address, including City and County, Iowa] ("Employer"), and [Employee Name], residing at [Employee Address, including City and County, Iowa] ("Employee").

Position and Responsibilities

The Employer hereby employs the Employee as a Graphic Designer.

The Employee accepts such employment and agrees to perform the following duties, and any other duties assigned by the Employer:

• Option A: Creating original graphic designs for digital and print media.
• Option B: Designing marketing materials, including brochures, website layouts, and social media graphics tailored to the Iowa market (e.g., agriculture, education, manufacturing).
• Option C: Developing and maintaining brand standards and guidelines.
• Option D: Designing logos and visual identities.
• Option E: Collaborating with art directors and marketing teams to execute design concepts.
• Option F: Presenting design concepts and revisions to internal teams and external clients.
• Option G: Using industry-standard design software, including Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Canva, and other photography or illustration tools as required.
• Option H: Managing projects from concept to completion, meeting deadlines and budget requirements.
• Option I: Communicating with printers and other vendors to ensure quality and timely delivery.
• Option J: Ensuring all designs comply with copyright and other legal requirements.

Work Location

The Employee's primary work location will be at the Employer's facility located at [Employer Address, including City and County, Iowa].

Remote Work:

• Option A: Remote work is not permitted.
• Option B: Remote work is permitted according to the Employer's remote work policy. The Employer will provide necessary equipment, including [List of equipment, e.g., computer, drawing tablet, monitor]. Employee agrees to maintain a safe home office environment compliant with Iowa workplace health and safety standards.
• Option C: Hybrid work arrangement: [Specify the days and hours the employee will work on-site vs. remotely].

The employee is responsible for secure handling of digital assets and adherence to IT security policies while working remotely.

Employment Term and Hours

The Employee's employment is full-time, defined as [Number] hours per week.

Work Schedule:

• Option A: The standard workdays are Monday through Friday.
• Option B: The standard workdays are [Specify Days].

Core Hours: The Employee's core working hours are [Start Time] to [End Time].

Breaks: The Employee is entitled to breaks as required by Iowa law. Meal periods and rest periods are governed by Iowa Code § 91A and Iowa Workforce Development standards.

Overtime:

• Option A: The Employee is eligible for overtime pay at a rate of 1.5 times the regular hourly rate for hours worked over 40 in a workweek, consistent with federal FLSA standards.
• Option B: The Employee is not eligible for overtime pay due to their exempt status.

Compensation

Salary: The Employer shall pay the Employee an annual salary of [Dollar Amount], payable [Frequency, e.g., bi-weekly, monthly].

Hourly Wage: The Employer shall pay the Employee an hourly wage of [Dollar Amount], payable [Frequency, e.g., bi-weekly, monthly].

Bonuses:

• Option A: The Employee is not eligible for bonuses.
• Option B: The Employee may be eligible for project bonuses based on performance and Employer's bonus policy. Details of the bonus policy are outlined in [Document Name].

Overtime Pay: For eligible employees, overtime will be paid in accordance with Iowa and federal law.

Benefits

The Employee is eligible for the following benefits, subject to the terms and conditions of the Employer's benefit plans:

• Medical Insurance: Eligibility and contribution details are outlined in the Employee Benefits Handbook.
• Dental Insurance: Eligibility and contribution details are outlined in the Employee Benefits Handbook.
• Vision Insurance: Eligibility and contribution details are outlined in the Employee Benefits Handbook.
• Retirement Plan: The Employee is eligible to participate in the Employer's [401(k) or Iowa Public Employees’ Retirement System] plan after [Number] months of employment.
• Paid Time Off (PTO): The Employee will accrue [Number] days of vacation and [Number] days of sick leave per year, in accordance with the Employer's PTO policy. The employee is also entitled to Iowa-recognized holidays.
• Parental Leave: Parental leave benefits will be provided in accordance with applicable federal and Iowa laws.
• Professional Development:
  • Option A: The Employer will not reimburse the Employee for professional development expenses.
  • Option B: The Employer will reimburse the Employee for [Dollar Amount] per year for professional association dues (e.g., AIGA) or continuing design education.
• Wellness Program: [Describe wellness program if applicable, or state "Not applicable"].

Intellectual Property

All original design assets, drafts, templates, creative concepts, and associated intellectual property developed by the Employee during their employment, whether on Employer's time or using Employer's resources, shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Employer, consistent with Iowa IP law and federal copyright law.

The Employee agrees to assign all rights, title, and interest in such intellectual property to the Employer.

The Employee must obtain written approval from the Employer prior to engaging in any freelance, moonlighting, or outside creative activities that could create IP conflicts or violate non-solicitation restrictions.

The employee must follow procedures for handling stock imagery or third-party licensed content as defined by the employer.

Confidentiality

The Employee agrees to hold all confidential information of the Employer, including client briefs, unpublished designs, marketing strategies, and proprietary processes, in strict confidence. This obligation survives the termination of employment and is governed by the Iowa Trade Secrets Act.

The Employee shall not disclose any confidential information to any third party without the prior written consent of the Employer.

Acceptable Use and IT Security Policy

The Employee agrees to comply with the Employer's acceptable use and IT security policies, including protocols for file storage, backup, cloud sharing, password management, and data protection.

The Employee shall not engage in any unauthorized dissemination of Employer/client data.

The Employee shall promptly report any potential data breaches to the Employer.

The Employee must adhere to the Iowa's Personal Information Security Breach Notification Act.

Behavioral Standards

The Employee agrees to adhere to the Employer's workplace conduct rules, professional communication standards, and use of employer assets.

The Employee shall adhere to established design briefs and deadlines, participate in creative reviews, and respond constructively to feedback.

Appearance/Presentation: The Employee agrees to maintain a professional appearance, especially during client assignments or trade shows.

Collaboration: The Employee will collaborate effectively with marketing teams, product teams, printers, and outside vendors.

Non-Compete, Non-Solicitation, and Non-Disparagement

Non-Compete:

• Option A: The Employee agrees not to engage in any graphic design work for a direct competitor of the Employer within [Number] months following termination of employment within a [Geographic Area, e.g., 50-mile radius of Des Moines, Iowa].
• Option B: The Employee agrees not to engage in any graphic design work for a direct competitor of the Employer within [Number] months following termination of employment within the state of Iowa.
• Option C: There is no non-compete agreement.

This non-compete is limited to roles directly competitive with the Employee's role at the Employer and is necessary to protect the Employer's legitimate business interests, in compliance with Iowa case law.

Non-Solicitation:

• Option A: The Employee agrees not to solicit any clients or employees of the Employer for [Number] months following termination of employment.
• Option B: There is no non-solicitation agreement.

Non-Disparagement: The Employee agrees not to disparage the Employer or its products, services, or employees, either during or after employment.

Termination

Employment is "at will" as presumed under Iowa law. Either the Employer or the Employee may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause and with or without notice, except as otherwise provided by law.

Notice:

• Option A: The Employee is required to provide [Number] weeks' written notice of resignation.
• Option B: The Employer is required to provide [Number] weeks' written notice of termination, except in cases of termination for cause.
• Option C: No advance notice is required from either party.

Final Wage Payout: Final wages will be paid in accordance with Iowa law.

Return of Property: Upon termination, the Employee shall immediately return all Employer property, including computers, equipment, and intellectual property.

Termination is subject to Iowa's unemployment insurance rules and eligibility for COBRA. Severance pay, if any, will be determined by company policy.

Dispute Resolution

The parties agree to attempt to resolve any disputes arising out of or relating to this Agreement through good faith negotiation and mediation before resorting to legal action.

Governing Law: This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Iowa.

Venue: Any legal action arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be brought in the state or federal courts located in [County Name] County, Iowa.

Compliance with Iowa statutes regarding attorney's fees and arbitration awards will be adhered to.

Anti-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity

The Employer is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law, as required by the Iowa Civil Rights Act.

The Employer is committed to diversity and workplace inclusion, and promotes a respectful and inclusive work environment.

Occupational Safety and Workplace Accommodation

The Employer is committed to providing a safe and healthy work environment, consistent with Iowa OSHA requirements.

The Employer will provide reasonable accommodations for disabilities or medical needs, in accordance with applicable law.

Statutory Notices

The Employee acknowledges receipt of required Iowa statutory notices regarding wage payments, employment eligibility (I-9 verification), and workers' compensation coverage.

The Employee must complete employment eligibility verification (I-9) upon hire.

Residency requirements: [Specify if Iowa residency is required for tax withholding or benefits].

Role-Specific Provisions

The Employee will comply with all applicable copyright and advertising laws unique to Iowa's [Specific sector, e.g., education, agriculture, governmental, or manufacturing] sectors if the design work supports such clients.

Severability and Amendments

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

This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a written instrument signed by both parties. The employer retains the right to adjust terms at their discretion in accordance with applicable Iowa and federal law.

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

[Employer Name]

By: [Employer Representative Name]

Title: [Employer Representative Title]

[Employee Name]

Signature: ____________________________