A reader writes:
I at the moment have a suggestion for an inner switch to a distinct division in my firm — similar degree however new group and scope of labor. I’m planning on negotiating the wage provided (utilizing a few of your recommendation from prior letters!) which I’d clearly need in writing, however I’m questioning if a few of my different asks (variety of days within the workplace, particular hours within the workplace) also needs to be in writing?
In the end, with an at-will job during which case the employer can at all times change the scope/necessities at any time when they need, is there even some extent to getting sure flexibilities in writing? For an exempt, salaried place, I’ve by no means seen work preparations specified, so wouldn’t it be affordable to ask for it to be written as a part of the provide?
You must get it in writing.
That’s not as a result of placing it in writing will make it legally binding. Usually within the U.S., it received’t. As you famous, employers can nonetheless change the phrases of your employment at any time (except you might have a contract, which most U.S. employees don’t).
However placing it in writing nonetheless considerably will increase the probability that the phrases of your employment shall be what you agreed to.
Firstly, it protects you in opposition to misunderstandings and miscommunications (such as you suppose you’re agreeing to 2 WFH days per week, however they suppose it’s as much as two WFH days per week, topic to supervisor approval) and even folks simply forgetting particulars down the street. It’s additionally helpful to have a file of the settlement if there are personnel modifications — like if a decision-maker guarantees you a wage assessment in six months however leaves the corporate after three months and nobody else is aware of something about that dialog. They nonetheless may not finally abide by it, however having documentation of what was agreed to makes it extra doubtless.
Second, the act of writing these items down can convey misunderstandings to the floor earlier than something is finalized. For instance, in case you stated X however they understood it as Y, placing it in writing is more likely to make everybody understand that you just’re not on the identical web page, thus supplying you with the chance to iron it out earlier than it’s too late.
Third, getting it written down can generally sign to an employer, “Oh wait, we had higher actually suppose this by.” Individuals shouldn’t make guarantees off the cuff with out totally pondering them by, however generally they do — which is how you find yourself beginning a job pondering they agreed you might convey your parrot in however then discover out it’s a no-go as soon as after they really verify with somebody. Simply the act of asking to place one thing in writing can nudge folks to verify they actually have all of the sign-off’s they’ll want.
Some corporations are very inflexible about what they may and received’t put in a suggestion letter and received’t budge from their regular boilerplate so as to add in extra particulars, even after they’re honest about no matter they’re agreeing to. If you happen to’re coping with an employer like that, attempt merely summarizing the settlement in an electronic mail your self — framing it as, “I wished to summarize the main points we’ve mentioned. Would you look this over and make sure this seems to be proper to you?” (And in the event that they received’t even try this a lot, take that as an indication that the settlement will not be as agency as you thought.)