Employment Contract
Create a California-compliant employment contract for freelance graphic designers. Protect your IP, comply with AB5 and Cal-OSHA, and secure vector assets.
Fill the form
Customized fields for your role
Preview live
See your document update in real time
Download PDF
Free watermarked or $9 clean copy
Navigating the design industry in California requires more than just artistic skill; it demands legal precision. Given California's strict AB5 classification rules and the ABC test under Cal. Lab.... Read more
Customize your Employment Contract
17 fields · Takes about 2 minutes
Accept terms in the form to enable downloads
Customize your Employment Contract
17 fields · Takes about 2 minutes
Legal Document
This Employment Contract ("Agreement") is entered into and made effective as of 2026-04-19 (the "Effective Date"), by and between [employer_name] ("Employer") and [employee_name] ("Employee"), collectively referred to herein as the "Parties" and individually as a "Party."
WHEREAS, Employer desires to employ Employee in the capacity of [job_title], and Employee desires to accept such employment, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein;
WHEREAS, the Parties wish to establish the terms of Employee's employment, including compensation, duties, and obligations, to ensure a clear mutual understanding;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants, promises, and agreements contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:
Employer hereby employs Employee in the position of [job_title]. Employee shall perform all duties and responsibilities customarily associated with such position, as well as any additional duties reasonably assigned by Employer from time to time. Employee shall devote their full professional time, attention, and best efforts to the performance of their duties and shall act in the best interests of Employer at all times. Employee shall comply with all policies, procedures, rules, and regulations established by Employer, as may be amended from time to time at Employer's sole discretion.
In consideration of the services rendered by Employee under this Agreement, Employer shall pay Employee a gross annual salary of [salary] (the "Base Salary"), payable on a [pay_frequency] basis in accordance with Employer's standard payroll practices, less all applicable withholdings, deductions, and taxes as required by law. Employer reserves the right to review and adjust Employee's compensation at its discretion, and any such adjustment shall not constitute a new agreement or modification of this Agreement unless set forth in a written amendment signed by both Parties.
Employee may be eligible to participate in any employee benefit plans, programs, and arrangements that Employer makes available to its employees generally, subject to the terms and eligibility requirements of such plans. Such benefits may include, but are not limited to, health insurance, dental and vision coverage, retirement plans, paid time off, and other fringe benefits. Employer reserves the right to modify, amend, or terminate any benefit plan or program at any time, in its sole discretion, with or without notice, subject to applicable law. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as a guarantee of any particular benefit.
Employee's primary work location and schedule shall be as set forth in this section, subject to modification by Employer as business needs require.
Employee's employment under this Agreement shall commence on 2026-04-19 (the "Start Date").
This Agreement and Employee's employment may be terminated under the following circumstances:
Employee acknowledges that during the course of employment, Employee will have access to and may acquire knowledge of confidential and proprietary information belonging to Employer, including but not limited to trade secrets, business plans, financial information, customer lists, marketing strategies, product designs, software, technical data, and other information not generally known to the public (collectively, "Confidential Information"). Employee agrees to hold all Confidential Information in strict confidence and not to disclose, publish, or otherwise reveal any Confidential Information to any third party during or after employment, except as required in the performance of Employee's duties or as authorized in writing by Employer. Employee agrees not to use any Confidential Information for Employee's own benefit or for the benefit of any third party. This obligation of confidentiality shall survive the termination of this Agreement and Employee's employment for any reason.
During the term of Employee's employment and for a period of twelve (12) months following the termination of employment for any reason, Employee shall not, directly or indirectly: (a) solicit, recruit, or attempt to induce any employee, contractor, or consultant of Employer to leave Employer's employment or engagement; or (b) solicit, divert, or attempt to divert any customer, client, or business relationship of Employer for the purpose of providing products or services that are competitive with those offered by Employer. Employee acknowledges that this non-solicitation covenant is reasonable in scope and duration and is necessary to protect Employer's legitimate business interests.
Upon termination of employment for any reason, or at any time upon Employer's request, Employee shall immediately return to Employer all property belonging to Employer, including but not limited to keys, access cards, identification badges, laptops, mobile devices, documents, files, records, manuals, software, data (in any form or medium), and any other materials or equipment provided to Employee or created by Employee during the course of employment. Employee shall not retain any copies, duplicates, reproductions, or excerpts of any Employer property or Confidential Information.
This Agreement shall be governed by, construed, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of [state_law], without regard to its conflict of laws principles. Any dispute, controversy, or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or the breach, termination, or validity thereof, shall be resolved exclusively in the state or federal courts located in the State of [state_law], and each Party hereby consents to the personal jurisdiction of such courts.
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, understandings, negotiations, and discussions, whether oral or written. No amendment or modification of this Agreement shall be valid or binding unless set forth in writing and signed by both Parties. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect. The failure of either Party to enforce any provision of this Agreement shall not constitute a waiver of that Party's right to enforce that provision or any other provision in the future. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not affect the interpretation of any provision.
[design deliverables and assets]
[ab5 worker classification disclosure]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Employment Contract as of the date first written above, intending to be legally bound hereby.
Employer
Name: Employer
Date: 2026-04-19
Employee
Name: Employee
Date: 2026-04-19
Navigating the design industry in California requires more than just artistic skill; it demands legal precision. Given California's strict AB5 classification rules and the ABC test under Cal. Lab. Code § 2750.3, a generic agreement isn't enough to protect your creative business. Our specialized contract addresses industry-specific risks like copyright infringement and scope creep while ensuring compliance with Cal-OSHA and the CCPA. By defining clear deliverables, revision limits, and source file ownership, you mitigate the risk of late payments and ensure your intellectual property remains protected under DMCA standards and California Civil Code § 1624.
Beyond the standard employment contract sections, this template adds fields specific to Freelance Graphic Designer:
An employment contract establishes a formal employment relationship between an employer and an employee, outlining the terms and conditions of employment, rights, obligations, and responsibilities of both parties. It provides legal protection and clarity, ensuring compliance with employment laws and minimizing the risk of misunderstandings and disputes.
Copyright infringement
Contracts should include clear terms about the ownership and use of copyrighted materials, specifying which party holds the rights and any licenses granted.
Non-payment for services
Include a detailed payment schedule in contracts with deliverables tied to payments and specify penalties for late payments.
AB 5 and Cal. Lab. Code § 2750.3 utilize the 'ABC Test' to determine if a designer is an independent contractor or an employee. Our contract helps specify the nature of the relationship, though California law essentially presumes employment unless all three criteria of the test are met. Ensuring job descriptions and work schedules are properly defined is critical for compliance.
Generally, no. Under California Business & Professions Code §§ 16600-16602, non-compete agreements are largely prohibited except in very limited circumstances like the sale of a business. Our template focuses on enforceable Confidentiality and Work Product clauses to protect the employer's interests without violating California's strict labor protections.
Per Cal. Lab. Code § 925, California-based designers cannot be forced to adjudicate disputes outside of California for employment-related agreements. Our contract defaults to California jurisdiction and governing law to ensure you stay protected by local statutes like the CCPA and specific Mechanics Lien Laws.
The contract includes a detailed Job Title and Description clause that specifically lists deliverables and the quantity of revisions included. By defining what constitutes 'additional work' and citing UCC-aligned terms for commercial transactions, you create a legal pathway to charge for work that exceeds the initial agreement.
Employment Contract
Draft a Georgia-specific tattoo artist employment contract. Ensure compliance with O.C.G.A. § 34-7-1 at-will laws and Georgia Restrictive Covenants Act.
Employment Contract
Create a California-compliant tattoo artist employment contract. Features AB5 worker classification, Cal-OSHA safety standards, and CCPA data privacy.
Employment Contract
Lease Agreement
Secure your design studio with a Georgia-compliant lease agreement. Protected by Georgia Statute of Frauds and O.C.G.A. § 13-8-50 restrictive covenants.
Bill of Sale
Secure your design assets with an Indiana-compliant Bill of Sale. Protect against copyright infringement and scope creep under Ind. Code § 32-21-1-1.
Power of Attorney
For this employment contract to be legally valid:
Common mistakes to avoid:
Create a Texas-compliant home inspector employment contract. Includes TREC standards, at-will clauses, and DTPA protections to mitigate missed defect liability.
Create a Minnesota-compliant Power of Attorney. Protect your design business, manage vector assets, and ensure payment rights under the MN Wage Theft Prevention Act.