Failure of IT employment contracts.

Abstract

As Singapore progresses towards the vision of IT2000, private and public sectors are exploring capabilities of information technology and re-engineering their business processes to achieve a leapfrog improvement. The use of IT has become a necessity in many industries. IT industry is playing a vital role in facilitating and transforming Singapore into an intelligent island. As technology based industry, the knowledge and competency of employees are crucial in all aspects of the business such as product innovation, consultancy service and other services. This study aims to distinguish common causes of dispute in IT employment by examining legal cases in the United States. There are guidelines and samples on various types of computer contracts for hardware acquisition transaction, software development, maintenance, system design and services. These contracts are between IT companies and clients. In employment contracts, IT companies face some concerns over distinctive IT related issues such as copyright and trade secret. IT companies also face other generic employment issues on non-competition restriction, compensation, lack of care and the status and entitlement of at-will employment. These employment issues need not necessarily be between employer and employee. Third parties such as ex-employer/newemployer or the govemment are often roped in the suit. This study highlighted the main obligations and rights of parties involved in the IT employment disputes. It also identified sex and age discriminationas an additional employment issue.