[Nitrolo]

Never worked in the states so I'm not sure if things are different there, and I guess I'm misunderstanding something here, but are you saying that there are no contracts between most employers and employees?

There must be something that both are signing right? With pay rate, hours and benefits written down.

[alistairSH]

No, job contracts are pretty rare. At-will employment, where both parties can end employment on zero notice with zero reason (legal discrimination aside), is the norm in the US. Some states (CA being the usual example) have more employee protections, but AFAIK do not require contracts.

Typically, for a white-collar job, you'd interview and receive a job offer contingent on background check and verifying previous employment. That offer would have a salary and start date and that's about it. HR might hand you a benefits package at the same time.

Sometime on or before the first day of employment, you'd be asked to sign NDAs, confirm legal eligibly to work, and similar paperwork, but almost never a contract.

Senior leaders often have contracts because their terms are more complicated - golden parachutes, etc.

[throwawayboise]

Contracts are generally only for contracted (i.e. non-employee( work. A self-employed consultant, programmer, designer, etc. will have a contract definining the terms of the engagement.

Employment is "at-will" in most states. Employers are obligated to pay for work performed, but you can be terminated at any time (and you can quit at any time).

Some high-level jobs will also have a written contract but it's not normal for a typical salaried or hourly position, unless there is a union involved.

[jcranberry]

By job contracts I believe he's referring to "contract employment" which refers to employment in which you are guaranteed work over some time frame. "At will employment" refers to when you or your employer can terminate your job at any time.

I'm very confident that most people have to a sign a piece of paper listing their pay etc on them before beginning their job.

[Rebelgecko]

I don't think I've ever had to do that. Do you also need to sign off on raises or pay cuts?

[jcranberry]

For contract employment unless the contract stipulates a raise structure or something else which allows them to change your pay, they can't do that without you signing off on it.

For at will employment they can change your pay at any time. You're also free to leave at any time of course.

[bkberry352]

I've never signed a piece of paper with my pay before starting in the us, and I've worked several jobs here. For a few, I've not received a "formal" offer letter, just had discussions with the recruiter.

[judge2020]

In general, you can work entirely without exchanging anything more than words and giving the employer a W-9.