Starting job but haven't been given contract AIBU

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Starting a new job next week with a fairly big public sector organisation, and have had my salary and working hours confirmed in writing by them.

They’ve also confirmed that they’ll go over things like my probationary period with me when I start in a few days.

The only thing is that I haven’t yet seen a copy of my contract, which is obviously important. I asked if it would be possible to be emailed a copy of it, and I was told that as HR deal with it, I won’t be able to see it yet. This is of course totally understandable, but I’m just wondering if it’ll be a problem that I haven’t seen a contract at all so far.

AIBU to feel a bit concerned?

Legally they don't have to give you this until you have been there 2 months. Letter you have states basic terms of employment.

YANBU and my DH who works in corporations would never start a job without having the contract first.

I on the other hand work in the NHS. Where in my experience it is unusual to have a contract before you start. Poor practice but common in this sector I guess.

If it's a big public sector organisation you probably have nothing to worry about. They won't be trying to sneak in unreasonable terms, and in any case, public sector has quite good trades union cover, so anything in that contract will have been at least discussed with the trade union.

If there's any things that would be a deal breaker for you, you could ask specific questions of HR.

Thanks for your amazingly quick responses IStill and nickname :) that’s really good to know, IStill, thanks - I didn’t realise that that was generally the case in the public sector.

Thanks very much as well Mere :)