Is this breach of contract?

[twerkit]

I'm on a maternity contract until end of summer. They've offered me an extended contract from August-Easter. I've found a permanent position I'd like to apply for starting in September. Would I be in breach of contract?

Have you signed the extended contract? If not, then presumably you are free to leave at the end of your existing contract. What is the notice period?

I've not signed the extended. Ive not been given it I've only been told verbally. There is no notice period for the August deadline.

Did you accept the extension when you were offered it?

I was offered an extension to a maternity cover and accepted straight away and we shook on it. I took that to mean we had a contract and neither party could back out.

If your fixed term contract ends on or before 31 August and you are looking at a perm role which begins on or after 1 September I don’t see how you can be in breach of contract. Am I missing something? Have you accepted the extension verbally?

I agreed verbally. So if contract is until Easter can I still hand in my notice to leave at Xmas?

Assuming that the extended contract has the usual resignation periods then you have until 31 August to resign in order to leave at Christmas.

You can resign to leave at Christmas any time before 31st October.

Oops, sorry - of course. 31 October.

A verbal agreement is a binding contract in employment. So yes, technically it is breach of contract. It has nothing to do with signing anything.