Employment contracts are legally enforceable in Florida. If either party – the employer or the employee violate the terms of the contract, the damaged party can pursue legal action for breach of contract. Unlike some states, Florida will also enforce restrictive employment contracts like non-compete agreements.
Florida is an at-will state, which means an employer may fire, demote, hire, promote and discipline employees for pretty much any reason, or no reason at all. The only way to change that is to urge your state legislators to pass more protections for employees.
An employment agreement is a contract between an employer and an employee that defines the terms and conditions of employment. An employment agreement, or workplace agreement, solidifies the working relationship between the employer and employee by outlining both parties' rights, responsibilities, and expectations.
Under Florida labor laws, for an employment contract to be enforceable it must meet the following legal requirements: Clear intent. There needs to be a clear indication that the parties had the intention to be bound by the terms of the contract.
Under Florida law, all employment contracts — written, spoken, or implied — are at-will employment agreements by default. If protections beyond anti-discrimination and anti-retaliation statutes are desired, they must be spelled out in the employment contract, which should be written and signed.
Florida New Hire Paperwork I-9 employee eligibility form. W-4 for federal tax purposes. DCW1 worker's compensation form (blank copy) Disability self-identification form (for businesses that work with government entities)
Are Non-Compete Agreements Enforceable in Florida? At the time of drafting this article, non-compete agreements are enforceable in Florida. The Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) issued a rule in April 2024 providing that beginning on September 4, 2024, non-compete agreements would be unenforceable.
Hiring Employees: If your business plans to hire employees, having an EIN is a requirement. It allows you to withhold payroll taxes, such as Social Security and Medicare, and report these taxes to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).