This employment clause establishes a formal process by which an employee's work product, designs, drawings, or other deliverables must be reviewed and approved before they become final or are used by the employer. The clause typically specifies who has authority to approve (e.g., a supervisor, manager, or designated committee), what timeline applies to the approval process, and what happens if drawings are rejected or require revision. This mechanism protects the employer by ensuring quality control and compliance with specifications, while also creating a clear record of accountability. It matters because it prevents unauthorized or substandard work from being implemented, reduces liability exposure, and establishes expectations about the employee's responsibilities during the approval cycle.
The clause also typically addresses consequences of non-approval—such as whether the employee must revise and resubmit, whether delays in approval affect project timelines, and whether the employee bears responsibility for delays caused by the approval process itself. This can significantly impact an employee's performance evaluations, compensation (if tied to milestones), and job security, making it important to understand the practical implications of the approval mechanism.
If you are an employee, ensure you understand exactly who approves your work, what the approval timeline is, and whether you have recourse if approvals are unreasonably delayed. Negotiate for clear criteria about what constitutes approvable work and request a reasonable timeframe (e.g., "approval or rejection within 5 business days") to prevent indefinite delays. If you are an employer, document the approval criteria in writing, assign clear responsibility for approvals, and establish a deadline to prevent the process from becoming a bottleneck that stalls projects or creates disputes about whose fault delays are.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this clause mean in simple terms?
This employment clause establishes a formal process by which an employee's work product, designs, drawings, or other deliverables must be reviewed and approved before they become final or are used by the employer.
Why should I care about this clause?
The clause typically specifies who has authority to approve (e.g., a supervisor, manager, or designated committee), what timeline applies to the approval process, and what happens if drawings are rejected or require revision.
What are my options?
This mechanism protects the employer by ensuring quality control and compliance with specifications, while also creating a clear record of accountability.
How does this affect small businesses?
It matters because it prevents unauthorized or substandard work from being implemented, reduces liability exposure, and establishes expectations about the employee's responsibilities during the approval cycle.