Abstract
This Q&A addresses the legal implications when a fixed-term dental employment agreement expires without formal renewal. MDA Legal Counsel explains that if the employee continues working under the same conditions, an oral employment agreement is implicitly formed, retaining the original terms but becoming terminable without cause by either party at any time. A key consequence is that any post-termination provisions, such as a covenant not to compete, begin their restricted period countdown from the original agreement's expiration date, regardless of continued employment. The article advises that it's generally more practical for employment agreements to simply state that the term continues indefinitely until termination by either party, clearly outlining notice requirements and other consequences, to avoid such ambiguities.
Recommended Citation
Schulte, Daniel JD
(2025)
"Dentistry and the Law: We Forgot to Renew Our Employment Agreement —Now What?,"
The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association: Vol. 107:
No.
9, Article 3.
Available at:
https://commons.ada.org/journalmichigandentalassociation/vol107/iss9/3
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