Getting Out of a Bad Employment Contract
Most doctors we meet are so focused on patient care and medicine that they fail to protect their interests when signing their physician employment contracts. They proceed under the impression that, as long as they do well for their patients and build a successful practice, things will be fine with their employment. In most cases, that is an accurate assessment. However, sometimes doctors get into horrible employment situations and have almost no protections in their agreements. They get overloaded with administrative work; they are under paid because of a lack of adequate billing procedures; or they lack enough patients to build a practice because there is no marketing investment by the employer. Whatever the issue, sometimes good doctors get into bad employment situations.
You might think that a simple solution would be to resign and move on. And, sometimes that is the best and simplest solution. But, what about when you have signed a broad non-compete agreement or have committed to a community supported position that requires a substantial payout to terminate the contract? The costs of getting out of those contracts can be higher than the costs of suffering through the terms. But, no one should have to stay in a bad employment situation.
If you want out of a bad employment contract that seems to have no way out, you need to be a bit more creative about your departure. You need to analyze why the situation is so bad. Determine whether promises were made, but not kept. Identify who or what is making your employment dissatisfying. And, review your physician employment agreement. Does your employer have any obligations under the contract? Is your employer performing all of its obligations?
Find your leverage and create a plan of action. With contracts, there is almost always a way out. The key is finding the least expensive way out.
