Signed employment contract but offered a better job

[cuppayorkshiretea]

I accepted a job offer nearly 4 weeks ago and signed all the paperwork shortly afterwards. Start date is the 14th April, but I’ve been offered another job this morning which suits me better. Better pay and hours.

I’m just waiting for them to confirm this all in writing but what will happen with the first employer if I pull out now? Does anyone know?

You’re not indentured. You just tell then your circumstances have changed and you won’t be taking the job anymore, so are “handing in your notice” so to speak.

Well.. its not great behaviour but it does happen. The employer whose contract you have signed could take legal action but are unlikely to do so - the cost of doing this vs what positive return they would get would most likely cancel each other out.

They are unlikely to sue you for breach of contract. What is the notice period in your probation period? When does the better job start?

Any employment contract I've signed starts on the first date of employment so wouldn't be in effect until you actually start working there.

Nothing will happen even if anybody tries to put any pressure on you or tells you that you’re legally or morally obliged they are talking absolute nonsense
Absolute worst worst case scenario they could have chased you for one weeks notice if you had started but before you started nothing.