Employment Contract
Secure your VO career with Ohio-compliant employment contracts. Protect usage rights, define session fees, and ensure compliance with Ohio Revised Code.
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In the voiceover industry, the line between a session fee and long-term usage rights is often blurred, leading to costly disputes over residuals and buyouts. For artists and studios in Ohio, an... Read more
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Legal Document
This Employment Contract ("Agreement") is entered into and made effective as of [start_date] (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 [start_date] (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.
The Employee grants the Employer a license to use the recorded voiceover material as specified in the 'Usage Rights Scope.' In accordance with the Copyright Act of 1976, any use of the Employee's voice for purposes outside the defined scope—including but not limited to AI voice cloning, synthesized voice generation, or unauthorized medium migration—shall constitute a material breach. Any extension of usage rights beyond the initial term requires a written amendment and additional consideration to be valid under Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 1335.05.
The Employee shall provide the number of revision cycles defined in the contract at no additional cost, provided the script remains unchanged. Subsequent revisions or 'pick-up' sessions necessitated by script changes or aesthetic redirections shall be billed at the 'Pick-up Session Rate' specified herein. All payments for additional sessions are subject to the late payment interest rates permissible under Ohio law to mitigate non-payment risks.
The Employer warrants that any broadcast or distribution of the recorded material will comply with all Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations. The Employee shall not be held liable for any fines, legal actions, or consumer disputes arising under the Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act (CSPA) resulting from the deceptive nature of the script or the Employer’s failure to adhere to advertising compliance standards.
[exclusivity category]
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: ___________________
Employee
Name: Employee
Date: ___________________
In the voiceover industry, the line between a session fee and long-term usage rights is often blurred, leading to costly disputes over residuals and buyouts. For artists and studios in Ohio, an employment contract must not only satisfy the Copyright Act of 1976 regarding work-for-hire status but also align with the Ohio Revised Code § 1335.15 if the term exceeds one year. This document protects your raw audio, limits revision scope, and secures your compensation under Ohio's stringent labor and consumer practices regulations.
Beyond the standard employment contract sections, this template adds fields specific to Voiceover Artist:
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.
Usage Rights Disputes
Contracts should clearly define the scope, duration, and territory of usage rights to prevent unauthorized use and ensure compliance with agreed terms.
Non-Payment
Contracts can include clear payment terms, milestones, and late fees to protect against non-payment. Including clauses for interest on late payments is also common.
Revision Scope
Setting clear terms in contracts about the number of revisions included in the fee, and costs for additional revisions, can prevent disputes.
Exclusivity Conflicts
Exclusivity clauses should define the duration, territory, and product categories they apply to, ensuring that voiceover artists do not inadvertently breach terms.
For this employment contract to be legally valid:
Common mistakes to avoid:
Copyright Act of 1976
Voiceover artists must ensure that the use of their recordings does not infringe on existing copyrights. The act governs the protection of the original work and dictates how recorded content can be used and distributed.
Enforced by U.S. Copyright Office
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Regulations
If a voiceover artist's work is used in radio or television broadcasting, it must comply with FCC regulations that govern the content and nature of broadcasts.
Enforced by Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Recommended coverage: Errors and Omissions Insurance · General Liability Insurance · Professional Liability Insurance
Ohio is an at-will employment state, meaning either party can generally terminate the relationship at any time. However, to protect a voiceover artist's workflow, this contract includes a specific notice period and defined usage buyout terms that survive even if the at-will employment ends unexpectedly.
Per the Copyright Act of 1976, if you are hired as an employee, the work is typically classified as a 'work-for-hire' owned by the employer. This contract clarifies the specific media, territory, and duration of the license to ensure you aren't signing away rights for use-cases not originally paid for.
To prevent 'scope creep,' this contract defines exactly what constitutes a 'pick-up' versus a new session. It specifies included revision cycles and sets a mandatory fee structure for additional recordings, protecting you from unpaid labor.
Yes. This agreement includes provisions requiring the employer to ensure that the final broadcast content—including your voice—complies with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations regarding broadcast content and sponsorship identification.
State laws affect what must be in this document. Pick your jurisdiction.
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