Agreement between an employer and an employee. It is typically voluntary, deliberate, and legally enforceable , therefore, binding. The employee must agree to this contract as a condition of his/her employment. Employment contracts cover a variety of procedures and/or policies that are required for the employer to protect its own interest. The contract often states a timeframe inhibiting the employee after they leave the company, from working for a competitor or in a similar industry. This section is often contested in the courts.