An Oklahoma employment contract outlines the terms and conditions of employment between an employee and an employer. It should detail elements such as the employee’s responsibilities, the compensation they will receive, the period of employment, and any additional provisions required by the employer, such as confidentiality or non-compete clauses.
Any Oklahoma contract, including an employment contract, should have sufficient cause or consideration, a lawful object, consent from both parties, and parties capable of contracting [1] .
- Laws: Title 40
- Definition of Employee: According to 40 O.S. § 52, an employee is anyone who performs or applies for work or service of any kind or character for hire.
By Type
Independent Contractor Agreement
Establishes a working relationship between an independent contractor and a client.
Non-Compete Agreement
Explains an employee's limitations so they don't compete with their employer's business.
Hiring in Oklahoma
You need to know the Oklahoma labor laws and regulations before you start writing an Oklahoma employment contract.
At-Will Employment
Oklahoma is an at-will employment state. There are also exceptions to the at-will employment rules.
Exceptions
- Public Policy: Yes
- Implied Contract: Yes
- Good-Faith Exception: No
Minimum Wage ($/hr)
Oklahoma doesn’t have a minimum wage, so it defaults to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)’s federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour [2] .
Child Labor
Employment certification and age certification are both required in Oklahoma for minors under 16. Employment certificates and age certifications can be obtained through the minor’s school. [3]
Once a minor turns 16 years old, they don’t have any restrictions on the hours they can work or the permits they must have.
Payday Requirements in Oklahoma
Employers are required to pay employees at least semi-monthly in Oklahoma.
Meal and Rest Breaks
Oklahoma does not require minimum paid rest or meal periods.
Recordkeeping Requirements
Employers in Oklahoma must retain employees’ payroll records for at least four years [4] . These records must include the employee’s:
- Name
- SSN
- Wages
- Estimated gratuities, if applicable
Sample
Below, you can download an Oklahoma employment contract template in PDF or Word format:
