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Offer letter but no contract

11 replies

workcontract · 19/04/2021 20:30

Hello,

I have received and accepted an offer of employment however the employer says I will not receive the contract until I start.

Is this ok? I have also currently accepted another offer so don't want to turn that one down unless this offer is secure.

OP posts:

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workcontract · 19/04/2021 21:41

bump

OP posts:

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ConnieCaterpillar70 · 19/04/2021 21:44

We don't give our staff contracts straightaway. Sounds normal to me.

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Tippytaps · 19/04/2021 22:03

I don’t hand my notice in until I’ve signed a contract - I have had several moves in the last few years, they’ve all sent the contract by email and post.

The contract confirms the T&Cs that you’re signing up for, if you have already left your ‘previous’ employment then you’re over a barrel. If you don’t like it but you’re still in work then you can move on to the next offer

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Aprilx · 20/04/2021 04:05

@workcontract

A company is required to do is provide a written statement of employment particulars (which would cover all your key terms of employment) on or before your first day of employment.

The contract itself is formed verbally and is binding the moment you have accepted the offer. I know that people like to see things written down, but it does not provide any additional legal protections.

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kickergoes · 20/04/2021 16:23

@Tippytaps even if you've signed the contract they can still pull the job so I'm not sure what additional protections you are getting. I myself have pulled out of a job post contract, no ramifications.

I just ensure I get my negotiated package written up in the offer letter so I have proof of what what we agreed to for when the contract is formalised (whilst this isn't legally binding it is a record of our negotiation, not had anyone renege thus far!) I can think of only one employer (mentioned above) out-of 5+ where I've had a contract prior to starting.

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Harrythewho · 20/04/2021 19:28

You say you've already accepted an offer on another job? You are not playing fair...and yet you expect employers to play fair?

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kickergoes · 20/04/2021 19:35

@Harrythewho how is it not "fair" you really expect someone to make a life changing decision as to what job they accept based on what's convenient for an organisation? When you're applying for a job you will likely have a few on the go, you won't get all your interviews done at the same tome. You don't make a life altering decision for yourself when all it creates is a work inconvenience for the hiring manager. I say that as a hiring manager who has had people withdraw offers. It's life, it's part of the job.

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Harrythewho · 20/04/2021 19:43

Sure but employers doing the same is seen as a bit shitty.

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kickergoes · 20/04/2021 19:51

I don't see what that has to do with anything in this thread and the two things are so incomparable anyway. The OP is merely asking for the most secure way to manage this very common situation, you're trying to compare a woman choosing the right job which will impact potentially up to 5 days a week of her life, vs the mild frustrations of a hiring manager. The OP isn't being "shitty", it depends on the reason as to why a company needs to revoke an offer as to whether it is being "shitty" or not.

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Tippytaps · 20/04/2021 23:10

[quote kickergoes]@Tippytaps even if you've signed the contract they can still pull the job so I'm not sure what additional protections you are getting. I myself have pulled out of a job post contract, no ramifications.

I just ensure I get my negotiated package written up in the offer letter so I have proof of what what we agreed to for when the contract is formalised (whilst this isn't legally binding it is a record of our negotiation, not had anyone renege thus far!) I can think of only one employer (mentioned above) out-of 5+ where I've had a contract prior to starting.[/quote]
Thank you, this is good to know. It seems like a good compromise, ensuring everything is detailed in the offer letter.

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workcontract · 21/04/2021 07:35

Yes I have accepted an offer and have now accepted an offer from another employer as I prefer them - shorter commute, better pay, better area of work.

My concern is pulling out of the first job unless people think the second job offer is secure with it just being a offer letter and a confirmed start date? The first job also provided me with an offer letter and a start date but no contract to be fair.