South Carolina office assistant employment contract template

South Carolina Office Assistant Employment Contract

This is a full-time Office Assistant Employment Contract, effective as of [Effective Date], between:

• [Employer Full Legal Name], a [Employer Entity Type] 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. Position

• The Employer hires the Employee as a full-time Office Assistant.
• The Employee accepts this position and agrees to perform the following duties:
  • Managing correspondence, including drafting, editing, and sending emails and letters.
  • Scheduling and calendaring appointments and meetings.
  • Handling mail and deliveries, including sorting, distributing, and preparing outgoing mail.
  • Greeting clients and visitors in a professional and courteous manner.
  • Maintaining office supplies and equipment, including ordering supplies and arranging for repairs.
  • Performing data entry and maintaining databases.
  • Filing and records management, both physical and electronic.
  • Document preparation, including creating, formatting, and proofreading documents.
  • Supporting HR and administrative processes, such as onboarding new employees and managing employee records.
  • Answering phones and directing calls.
  • Coordinating office maintenance and repairs.
  • Handling sensitive or confidential information appropriately.
  • Providing miscellaneous clerical and operational support as needed.

2. Required Skills and Competencies

• The Employee must possess the following skills and competencies:
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
  • Professional communication skills, both written and verbal.
  • Time management and organizational skills.
  • Ability to multi-task and prioritize tasks effectively.
  • Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Option A: Background check required.
• Option B: No background check required.

3. Reporting Lines and Performance Reviews

• The Employee will report directly to [Direct Supervisor's Title].
• The Employee's performance will be reviewed [Frequency, e.g., annually] in [Format, e.g., a written evaluation].

4. Work Location

• The Employee's primary work location is [Office Address in South Carolina].
• Workplace Attendance Requirements:
  • Option A: On-site presence is required.
  • Option B: Some remote work may be allowed, subject to Employer approval.
• Office Security and Visitor Protocols: The Employee is responsible for adhering to all office security and visitor protocols.
• The Employee is responsible for maintaining workplace confidentiality and orderliness.

5. Employment Classification and Work Hours

• This is a full-time employment position.
• The standard work hours are [Start Time] to [End Time], Monday through Friday.
• Overtime Eligibility:
  • Option A: The Employee is eligible for overtime pay in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and South Carolina law.
  • Option B: The Employee is not eligible for overtime pay.
• Meal/Break Periods: [Description of meal/break periods, e.g., a 30-minute unpaid lunch break]. While South Carolina law doesn’t mandate breaks, the Employer provides this as policy.

6. Compensation

• The Employee's annual salary is [Salary Amount] or hourly wage is [Hourly Wage Amount].
• The Employee will be paid [Pay Frequency, e.g., biweekly] via [Payment Method, e.g., direct deposit].
• Overtime Pay: If eligible, overtime will be paid at a rate of 1.5 times the Employee's regular hourly rate for all hours worked over 40 in a workweek.
• Option A: Performance-based raises may be awarded at the Employer’s discretion.
• Option B: Bonus pay may be awarded at the Employer's discretion.

7. Benefits

• The Employee is eligible for the following benefits, subject to eligibility requirements:
  • Medical insurance
  • Dental insurance
  • Vision insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Short-term disability coverage
  • Long-term disability coverage
  • 401(k) or pension options
  • Paid vacation
  • Sick leave
  • Personal days
  • South Carolina recognized holidays
  • Option A: Parking or transportation allowance of [Allowance Amount].
  • Option B: Professional development or administrative training reimbursement of [Reimbursement Amount].
• Eligibility thresholds and plan summaries are available in the Employee Handbook.

8. Confidentiality Agreement

• The Employee acknowledges that they will have access to confidential information, including business records, personnel files, client lists, and proprietary procedures.
• The Employee agrees to keep all such information confidential and not to disclose it to any third party, either during or after employment.

9. Intellectual Property

• Any forms, templates, databases, or process documentation developed by the Employee during the course of employment shall remain the property of the Employer.
• The Employee agrees not to copy or share such materials externally without the Employer's written consent.

10. Professional Behavior

• The Employee is expected to comply with the Employer's dress code, communication standards, information security policies, and office equipment usage rules.
• The Employee must comply with all applicable anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies as required by South Carolina Human Affairs Law.

11. Data Protection

• The Employee will handle sensitive and personal information of employees, clients, and the business in accordance with industry best practices and federal standards.
• The Employee will adhere to the Employer's data protection protocols.

12. At-Will Employment

• The Employee's employment is at-will, meaning that either party may terminate the employment relationship at any time, for any lawful reason, with or without notice.
• This at-will status cannot be changed except in writing signed by an authorized representative of the Employer.

13. Termination

• Voluntary Resignation: The Employee must provide [Number] days' written notice of resignation.
• Employer-Initiated Dismissal: The Employer may terminate the Employee's employment at any time, subject to applicable law.
• Immediate Discharge: The Employer may immediately discharge the Employee for gross misconduct.
• Final Wage Payment: Upon termination, the Employee will receive their final wages in accordance with the South Carolina Payment of Wages Act. Final wages are due within 48 hours or by the next regular payday.
• Return of Property: Upon termination, the Employee must return all company property, keys, and access cards.

14. Progressive Discipline

• The Employer may use progressive discipline, including warnings and performance improvement plans, to address performance issues.

15. Dispute Resolution

• Any disputes arising from this agreement shall be resolved through internal complaint or grievance procedures.
• Option A: Mediation will be used prior to litigation.
• Option B: Arbitration will be used prior to litigation.
• Venue and governing law shall be South Carolina.

16. Restrictive Covenants

• The Employee acknowledges South Carolina’s limitations on non-compete agreements for low-wage employees.
• Option A: The Employee agrees to a confidentiality and non-solicitation provision that is narrowly tailored and enforceable under South Carolina law.
• Option B: There are no restrictive covenants in this employment agreement.

17. Worker's Compensation and Health and Safety

• The Employee is covered by the Employer's worker's compensation insurance in compliance with the South Carolina Worker's Compensation Act.
• The Employee must report any on-the-job injuries or hazards immediately to their supervisor.

18. Equal Employment Opportunity

• The Employer is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable equal employment opportunity, anti-discrimination, and anti-harassment laws.

19. Acknowledgment of Policies

• The Employee acknowledges that they have received, read, and agreed to the Employer's employee handbook, office policies, IT/security policies, and any departmental procedures applicable to office assistants.

20. Modification and Severability

• This agreement may only be modified in writing and signed by both parties.
• If any provision of this agreement is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

21. South Carolina Notices and Disclosures

• The Employee acknowledges receipt of all required South Carolina labor law posters, wage payment notices, and E-Verify participant status information.

22. Governing Law

• This agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of South Carolina.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the Effective Date.

____________________________
[Employer Representative Name], [Employer Representative Title]

____________________________
[Employee Full Legal Name]