Offer Letter
(Short Form)

Summary

This Offer Letter (Short Form) can be used by an employer to extend a conditional offer of employment to a job applicant. This template includes practical guidance, alternate clauses, and drafting notes. This template is intended for private employers. It is based on federal law and does not address all potential state law distinctions; thus, you should check any relevant state and local laws. Note that the drafting notes address non-jurisdictional issues and specific state (and some local) issues in California, Florida, and New York only. This Offer Letter (Short Form) is intended as a general drafting aid and will require modification according to the particular circumstances and intentions of the employer. Generally, the offer letter can be used to identify the offered position, terms and conditions of the offer, and the manner of acceptance. If the offer is for an at-will position, it is important not to inadvertently create an express or implied contract or use terms and conditions that modify the at-will nature of the employment relationship. This letter not meant to be a comprehensive hire packet. It may touch upon notices required at hire, but make sure to still check state laws to ensure compliance with notices required on the first day of work. See, for example, Workplace Notice and Posting Requirements Chart (Federal), Workplace Notice and Posting Requirements Chart (CA), Workplace Notice and Posting Requirements Chart (FL), and Workplace Notice and Posting Requirements Chart (NY). For Notice and Posting Requirements Charts in several other states, see the subsection entitled "First Day and Orientation Documents – All Notices and Posters" in Screening and Hiring Resource Kit. For additional information on drafting offer letters, see Implied Contract Claims, Employee Handbook Disclaimers, and Offer Letters. For detailed state-specific and non-jurisdictional annotated offer letters, see the Employment and Compensation Contracts column of Employment Contracts State Expert Forms Chart. For an offer letter for a commissioned salesperson, see Offer Letter (Commissioned Sales Employee). For an offer letter for an employee paid by the fluctuating workweek method, see Offer Letter (Employee Paid by Fluctuating Workweek Method).