Employment · 6 min read · Published September 2026
Employment contract review in Ontario: a useful checklist
The clauses worth reading carefully before accepting a new Ottawa job, promotion, bonus plan, or change in duties.
Short answer
An employment contract review should look beyond salary. Pay attention to termination language, probation, duties, work location, hours, bonus and commission rules, confidentiality, intellectual property, restrictive covenants, benefits, and policies incorporated by reference.
Which clauses deserve close attention?
The contract should describe the relationship clearly enough for you to understand what is promised and what can change. Ask questions about terms that depend on an employer policy you have not received.
- Role, reporting line, location, hours, and travel
- Base pay, variable pay, review dates, and deductions
- Termination, probation, notice, and benefit continuation
- Confidentiality, inventions, solicitation, and competing work
What changes should be documented?
A promotion or compensation change can create a new set of terms even when there is no new contract. Keep offer letters, emails, policy versions, and signed acknowledgements together.
- Compare the offer with what was discussed
- Request missing policies before signing
- Ask whether an amendment replaces earlier terms
- Do not assume a verbal promise overrides a written clause
Common questions
Can an employer change my job duties?
Some contracts allow reasonable changes, while other changes may raise separate issues. Review the wording, the extent of the change, and what happened to pay and status.
Should I negotiate before signing?
You can ask questions or propose changes before signing. Put agreed changes in the contract or a written amendment rather than relying on a conversation.
Official sources to check
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