A comprehensive at-will offer letter template covering compensation, equity, benefits, confidentiality, IP assignment, and arbitration. Editable in any word processor.
A clear offer letter is the foundation of every US employment relationship. Vague letters lead to disputes over start date, base salary, equity vesting, bonus eligibility, and notice requirements — many of which surface during separation. This template locks down the commercial terms in plain language and references the at-will doctrine that governs most US states.
Get a properly formatted Microsoft Word (.docx) file with headings, bullets and placeholders already styled. Replace all [SQUARE BRACKETS] with your own details.
OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT [DATE] [CANDIDATE NAME] [ADDRESS] Dear [CANDIDATE NAME], We are pleased to offer you employment with [COMPANY NAME] (the "Company") on the following terms: 1. POSITION You will serve as [JOB TITLE], reporting to [MANAGER NAME / TITLE]. Your start date will be [START DATE]. 2. WORK LOCATION Your primary work location will be [OFFICE ADDRESS] / [Remote — state of residence]. The Company may, at its discretion, change your work location with reasonable notice. 3. COMPENSATION - Base salary: $[AMOUNT] per year, paid bi-weekly / semi-monthly per the Company's standard payroll calendar - Sign-on bonus: $[AMOUNT], paid in the first paycheck and subject to repayment if you voluntarily separate within 12 months - Performance bonus: target [%]% of base, paid annually based on Company and individual performance 4. EQUITY (if applicable) Subject to Board approval, you will be granted [NUMBER] [stock options / RSUs] in [COMPANY NAME], with a 4-year vesting schedule and a 1-year cliff, governed by the Company's Equity Incentive Plan and your individual grant agreement. 5. BENEFITS You will be eligible for the Company's standard benefits package, including: - Medical, dental, and vision insurance - 401(k) plan with [match details] - [PTO policy] - Paid holidays per the Company's published schedule - Parental leave per Company policy Benefits are subject to the terms of the applicable plan documents and may be amended at the Company's discretion. 6. AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT Your employment with the Company is "at-will." Either you or the Company may terminate the employment at any time, with or without cause and with or without notice. Nothing in this letter or in any oral or written statement by any Company representative creates a guarantee of continued employment. 7. CONFIDENTIALITY AND IP ASSIGNMENT As a condition of employment, you will sign the Company's standard Confidentiality and IP Assignment Agreement, which assigns to the Company any work product created in the course and scope of your employment. 8. ARBITRATION (where enforceable) Any dispute arising out of or relating to this offer or your employment will be resolved by binding arbitration administered by JAMS in [CITY, STATE] under its employment rules. You and the Company waive the right to a jury trial. Class arbitrations are not permitted; disputes proceed on an individual basis. (This clause is enforceable in most US states; check state law before using it for California-based employees post-AB 51.) 9. WORK AUTHORIZATION This offer is contingent on your providing satisfactory documentation of identity and US employment authorization within three (3) business days of your start date, in compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act (Form I-9). 10. BACKGROUND CHECK This offer is contingent on the satisfactory completion of a background check conducted by [VENDOR] in accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act and applicable state law. 11. ENTIRE AGREEMENT This letter, together with the Confidentiality and IP Assignment Agreement, sets out the complete terms of your employment and supersedes any prior discussions or representations. Modifications must be in writing and signed by an officer of the Company. To accept, please sign and return this letter by [OFFER EXPIRATION DATE]. We are excited to have you join the team. Sincerely, ____________________ [HIRING MANAGER NAME] [TITLE] [COMPANY NAME] ACCEPTED: Candidate signature: ____________________ Date: ____________________
No — offers can be oral. But a written letter is the standard and is essential for any role with equity, bonus, or non-standard terms. It also satisfies the requirements of state pay-transparency laws (CA SB 1162, NY S 9427, WA SB 5761).
At-will is the default in 49 states. Severance is not required unless promised in the letter, the handbook, or the WARN Act applies. Most US employers reserve severance for executives or layoffs.
In most US states yes, under the Federal Arbitration Act. California has restricted mandatory employment arbitration for certain claims (AB 51, currently subject to ongoing federal preemption litigation). Always have counsel review for jurisdiction-specific enforceability.
The FTC's non-compete rule and an increasing number of states (CA, MN, OK, ND) ban or sharply limit non-competes for most employees. Use confidentiality and customer non-solicit clauses instead in those jurisdictions.
Peoplifi generates US-aligned offer letters, warning letters, and policy packs from your employee data in one click — no copy-pasting, no version drift.