Contracts

Perplexed by job contracts that are filled with legal jargon you don’t understand? Our Contracts articles walk you through the most crucial parts of employment contracts and help you spot red flags and trouble spots that can cause problems for you down the road. We tell you which language to watch out for in contracts, when it’s appropriate to negotiate contracts that employers tell you are “boilerplate” and can’t be changed, and when you need to hire an attorney to review contract language before you sign.


Looking beyond the offer letter

Looking beyond the offer letter

April 23, 2015 at 21:00 0 comments

You’ve been offered a position you’re interested in, you’ve gone through the contract several times and now it’s time to sign. Sure, the contract seems interminably long with tons of verbiage at the end, but your potential bosses at the hospital or medical group insist it’s their standard contract. AllRead More

How to navigate restrictive covenants

How to navigate restrictive covenants

April 22, 2015 at 18:00 0 comments

You’ve received a copy of your new contract, and you’re eager to sign. You plan to stay with the practice a few years until you’re established in the community, then strike out on your own. Unfortunately, you may not be able to hang out a shingle, at least in thatRead More

Making heads and tails of tail insurance

Making heads and tails of tail insurance

April 21, 2015 at 06:00 0 comments

When you take a new position at a hospital or medical group, your employer typically covers malpractice insurance. It’s easy to assume that if and when you leave, your employer will continue cover you for a malpractice claim related to events that took place while you were employed. But that’sRead More

Hidden traps in call coverage arrangements

Hidden traps in call coverage arrangements

April 20, 2015 at 13:00 0 comments

You’ve recently joined a medical group with 10 physicians. The contract noted that call coverage would be “equally” split among the group, which is fine by you. You’ve done the math, and that translates into three to four days per month. But once you start, you find out that theRead More

Signing bonuses: more than you signed up for?

Signing bonuses: more than you signed up for?

April 8, 2015 at 11:07 0 comments

You had three job offers, but you were hooked by the rural hospital that dangled the $50,000 signing bonus. Given the size of the bonus, you had no problem signing a three-year contract. But a year later, you’re missing the city, and an urban hospital is interested. You’d like toRead More

Planning for your resignation

Planning for your resignation

April 8, 2015 at 10:51 0 comments

When entering into a new contract with a hospital or medical group, most people hope to stay for two or three years—or beyond. But life holds plenty of surprises, and you may need to leave earlier than you planned. Before you sign the contract, make sure the terms for yourRead More