Starting without a contract

[ImStillMe]

Would you start a new job if you haven't received the contract yet?

What have you received from them so far?

If you have been offered a job and have accepted it, then the contract has been formed. So it really is impossible to start a job without a contract, because if there wasn’t one you would be asked why you are there.

A piece of paper with things written down is evidence of a contract, not the contract itself. The employer is only required to provide this on day one of employment, so it is perfectly feasible that somebody would start a job without receiving evidence of their contract first.

Personally I would want to know the terms and conditions of my employment like pay, package, notice period and would expect that in my offer letter. But I would have no issue with not getting the statement of written particulars until day one.

I guess it depends on the industry but I wouldn't have resigned from my previous role without a contract from the new company. But if I was unemployed I'd be quite happy to start a new job immediately for the reason @Aprilx said.

It is totally normal in schools to schools (at least ones I've worked in) to start without a contract, you normally get it in the first week.

As PPs - I would not resign an old job without a written contract, but if going from nothing I would start a new job without a written contract as they have formed a contract when offering you the job, agreeing start date, saying hello on day 1.

Legally you should have a statement of the main terms no later than the day you start. You can't bring a claim for not having the paperwork unless you piggyback on a different legitimate claim.

Assuming you've had a clear offer which you've accepted, then having the paper contract prior to this is legally worthless. It doesn't provide additional legal protection. I understand most people won't know this though, so some people do insist on having one even before they resign.

If you have an offer letter, detailing hours and salary and job title, I'd say it's a safe bet to start.
Contracts or written statement can be given on day 1.