AstonMartin82 Posted October 24, 2014 Share Posted October 24, 2014 Does anyone have any experience on this? I have accepted and signed a contract for a new job which I was genuinely very excited about. The problem is that during my 3 month notice period my current workplace have been working very hard in getting me to stay. I've rebuffed many offers though now it's got to a place where I simply can't refuse. I'll be made head of a department in a huge company that is going places, along with loads of benefits. It is a position which will propel my career forward, is a genuinely very exciting job and is an opportunity I simply can't refuse. So, all good!! Other than this potentially very awkward conversation I'm going to be having next week! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VT Supporter trekka Posted October 24, 2014 VT Supporter Share Posted October 24, 2014 (edited) Quick google and there's lots of links but it appears (after finding and posting links before quickly editing ) that the devil is in the detail of the contract. All the best with it but it might be that the best thing you can do is visit the Citizen's Advice Bureau. Edited October 24, 2014 by trekka Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator limpid Posted October 24, 2014 Administrator Share Posted October 24, 2014 Get some legal advice (your house insurance may include some) or contact CAB. Assuming you are in England and Wales, then there has been no consideration at this point. Unless reputation is an issue in your field I wouldn't worry about it and just tell them you've changed your mind. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Eames Posted October 24, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted October 24, 2014 Your new job will be subject to a probationary period. Take a day off from your current post on the day your supposed to start....walk into your new job call the first three people you see words removed and walk out. Then phone your new boss and tell him you and tell him you havent stayed as your off to balance your nuts on his wifes nose. Jobs a good un. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dont_do_it_doug. Posted October 24, 2014 Share Posted October 24, 2014 I'm sure if you're straight up with them they won't want to force you to take the role if your heart is not in it. It depends on the field, but they may seek financial compensation I guess. Try reading the contact! Or just what Eames said! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjaacckk91 Posted October 24, 2014 Share Posted October 24, 2014 I've been in a similar situation but hadn't signed anything. Got pushed into verbally agreeing by a recruitment guy. The phone conversation with what was going to be my boss was pretty bad. When i told him he swore down the phone and told me to enjoy working in fast food the rest of my life(it would have been my first job since graduating). If you've signed I guess its a bit different from a legal front, I can confirm the conversation will probably not be much fun though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VT Supporter mjmooney Posted October 24, 2014 VT Supporter Share Posted October 24, 2014 Under an ancient bylaw, your new employers have the right to execute you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leemond2008 Posted October 24, 2014 Share Posted October 24, 2014 I haven't read any of the posts in this thread but I am inclined to agree with the moon man Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omariqy Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 I doubt your prospective employer will take any action because it isn't worth the hassle. However it will cause you to have a bad rep especially if the industry is quite close knit. You would risk future job prospects if you do it. I've hired people who have turned round and changed their mind after signing a contract. Would never hire them again and I made sure other companies knew if too. It's pretty bad form. Never sign a contract until you are sure and at least give your current employer time to counter offer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeyp102 Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 Like limpid said legal advice is by far and away the best cause of action. There may be stipulations in the contract you have signed. Not just home insurance, you may have legal cover through your current employee, if you are a landlord etc. Check everything. If not CAB will be very helpful Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator TrentVilla Posted October 25, 2014 Moderator Share Posted October 25, 2014 You've nothing to worry about other than possible reputation damage depending on your industry but that is fairly unlikely. Theoretically they could take you to court but it won't happen, it never does. I would just inform them as soon as possible and get it done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AstonMartin82 Posted October 25, 2014 Author Share Posted October 25, 2014 Yeah, I'm not overly concerned around the legal aspect of it all... it's simply not in anyones interests to go down that route so I don't see that happening at all, though in the very small chance it does then it'll simply end up with me having to pay for either their recruitment costs for a replacement or the notice period of the job. Either way I'll get the costs covered in my new contract from my current company so no problem there. Ideally I would like to leave this other place with good relations intact though I know that will be very tough. I've thought about many ways of potentially approaching the subject with them but as always honesty is the best policy so this is what I will do. I know that if they were in my position they would do the same so I just need to be able to deliver that message as carefully and thoughtfully as possible. I signed the contract with 100% intention of joining and they have been headhunting me and negotiating with me for around 15 months so I didn't enter it lightly at all. Sometimes no matter how careful and considerate you are around situations there is just no telling what is around the corner which can drastically change peoples circumstances. If it all goes sour then that is a shame though worse things have happened and worse things will happen again in the near future. As to the potential damage to my reputation then it will grow more with the new job and title then it will be damaged by declining a job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Rev Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 Under an ancient bylaw, your new employers have the right to execute you. But only if the execution takes place within the grounds of Chester cathedral and is performed with a longbow between the hours of midnight and three A.M. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mockingbird_franklin Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 (edited) Despite being hugely out of favour in these times, I've found that Honesty usually works and act timely, if you don't mess them about and you are as open and honest as possible then any reaction should be a little less extreme, then even if they get nasty, you can always point to the fact you acted honourably (yes I know another very out of fashion idea), anyhow who ever got hurt or injured by an awkward conversation. Edited October 25, 2014 by mockingbird_franklin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Risso Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 Yes, just be open and honest. Explain the situation and apologise for wasting their time. It happens more often than you'd think, and in reality there isn't much they can do about it, even if they wanted to, which they probably won't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AstonMartin82 Posted October 25, 2014 Author Share Posted October 25, 2014 Absolutely... at the end of the day all I have done is waste their time - they haven't incurred any monetary expenses by me changing my mind. Also, they were willing to wait nearly a year and a half to get to me to join so this suggests that the position I was filling isn't time sensitive. I think the biggest mistake here was signing the new contract only a month after handing in my notice. I should have signed the contract a few days before starting the new job giving my current workplace more time to counter offer without putting me in an awkward position. However, I couldn't see my current workplace shifting their stance so much and I was totally comitted to joining the new company. I'll just have to put this down to experience. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator limpid Posted October 25, 2014 Administrator Share Posted October 25, 2014 Just to be clear. There is no contract until there has been consideration. It makes no difference whether you've signed it or not. Until they've paid you something the contract isn't formed. I'm surprised we have no legal types. This is pretty basic, but check with CAB or a solicitor if you want to be sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AstonMartin82 Posted October 25, 2014 Author Share Posted October 25, 2014 Interesting... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjaacckk91 Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 Interesting... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AstonMartin82 Posted October 25, 2014 Author Share Posted October 25, 2014 Haha! Well, hopefully this information won't be needed but at least it is one less worry if things get nasty! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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