Deconstructing a Job Offer– What Should Be In There?

Hiring new people is definitely exciting news for your organization. But as an employer,  you will have to write a job offer letter for your new employees at some point. It is crucial to ensure that you get all the elements of an offer letter right because you want to make your new employee feel as comfortable as possible. 

There are multiple factors that you need to consider while writing a job offer letter. What must you include in a good job offer letter? Keep reading to find out.

What is included in a job offer letter?

Simply put, a job offer letter is an official document that an employer gives to a potential employee while offering employment. Here is the content that you must include in an offer letter.

1. Job Description

It is essential to include a few sentences with details of the position. This could include the duties, responsibilities, working hours of the job. Additionally, you just also mention whether it is an in-office or remote position, a full-time or part-time job, etc. Explain the concept of at-will employment clearly in your offer letter if required. 

2. Salary

Mention the amount of money the employee will earn in a pay cycle. This also includes bonuses, commissions, and all kinds of costs that your organization will spend on them. Ensure that a clear structure of all the finances involved and the conditions are mentioned in the offer letter. 

3. Work Schedule 

This includes the expected start date of employment and the number of hours the employee is expected to put in every week. 

4. Time off 

Talk about paid vacation days, sick leaves, paternity/maternity leaves that the employee can avail. You must also mention when they can avail these leaves.  

5. Benefits 

Give an overview of any benefits package that your organization offers to its employees. This includes a retirement plan and medical and life insurance. Explain when insurance coverage starts. 

6. Probation/ Reporting Structure

The job offer letter must clearly mention if the job entails a probation period. And if yes, for how long. Along with this, the offer letter must give the reporting structure in detail– this includes who the employee shall report to as well as who shall report to them.

7. Termination

Take note to talk about the conditions that would lead to the termination of the employee in order to avoid future disputes. 

8. Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure Agreements 

If there are any clauses or agreements that the employee is liable to sign, then state it in your job offer letter clearly. 

Conclusion

Writing a good job offer letter is not tough if you include all the pointers given above in it. Ensure that the language you use is formal yet  approachable. It is also best to include instructions on how to accept the job offer if there are particular procedures involved.