Rejecting job offer after initially accepting?

[944fan]

I recently went for a job interview and was offered the job via email. I accepted via email but haven't yet seen or signed a contract.

I fully expected my current place to counter offer but the level at which they have is huge and I tempted to accept.

Given that I have accepted what are my options with the other job? I assume legally I can just give notice on the contract without being in breach? But I am guessing actually I can just say I no longer want the job and they wont do anything further about it?

[Tonsko]

Edit - what I wrote was bobbins.

http://www.contractoruk.com/contracts/my_acceptanc...

Sometimes, emails could be considered a formal acceptance. It depends on how you worded it, I guess.

[944fan]

I think the acceptance is pretty clear in my response.

In that case I guess I would have to resign from the position, despite never having actually started.

[Davel]

Ring them up, explain and see what they say.

They may have someone else on the shortlist ready to take the job.

Don't delay...

[ikarl]

Call and speak to someone, explain the situation, ask their advice on how you should proceed, but follow it up in writing (email)

[Nick Grant]

I've done this before.

It wasn't an issue.

I will say though that all the reasons I wanted to leave the first job hadn't gone away and I regretted accepting the couter offer and should have just left, which I did about 18 months later.

[Countdown]

Davel said:

Ring them up, explain and see what they say.

They may have someone else on the shortlist ready to take the job.

Don't delay...

This.

It's highly unlikely that any firm would want to employ anybody who didn't want to work there.

[944fan]

Nick Grant said:

I will say though that all the reasons I wanted to leave the first job hadn't gone away and I regretted accepting the couter offer and should have just left, which I did about 18 months later.

This is my concern. The counter offer is as much about the money as them committing to dealing with the problems. However, at the minute they will say anything to stop me leaving. The issue is whether they will actually do what they say they will.

[JayBM]

944fan said:

This is my concern. The counter offer is as much about the money as them committing to dealing with the problems. However, at the minute they will say anything to stop me leaving. The issue is whether they will actually do what they say they will.

Have you raised the issues with them previously? If so did the do anything about it then?

It's relatively easy for an employer to offer a significant pay rise, it's usually very difficult for them to change the culture.

[Streetrod]

944fan said:

I recently went for a job interview and was offered the job via email. I accepted via email but haven't yet seen or signed a contract.

I fully expected my current place to counter offer but the level at which they have is huge and I tempted to accept.

Given that I have accepted what are my options with the other job? I assume legally I can just give notice on the contract without being in breach? But I am guessing actually I can just say I no longer want the job and they wont do anything further about it?

I head up corporate talent acquisition for a FTSE 100 company. I always tell people to be wary of counter offers from current employees. Why does it take your resignation from your current employer for them to recognise your worth? Effectively they are saying they have been under paying you all this time plus it’s easier to offer you an increase rather than go through the trouble and cost of replacing you. This is a very backhanded compliment.

These situations can sometimes back fire, and not normally in your favour

[Rude-boy]

I'm with Streetrod, but without the life/job experience to back it up - only the experiences of friends.

If a move is only about the money then the counter offer might be worthwhile. If it is about more than just the folding then does the counter offer make it worth the st?

[davepoth]

The counter would have to be bloody good.

In terms of the contract, I'd say that the email acceptance would only be valid if you'd already seen the contract - there is bound to be a term in the contract that you can't accept.

[Davel]

Just bear in mind that once you tell and employer that you are leaving and don't, it does tend to taint the relationship a bit for the future.

[creampuff]

davepoth said:

The counter would have to be bloody good.

In terms of the contract, I'd say that the email acceptance would only be valid if you'd already seen the contract - there is bound to be a term in the contract that you can't accept.

Even if you have actually signed the contract, then you are only bound by the notice period in that contract. Which is usually 1 week for the probationary period.

[deckster]

creampuff said:

davepoth said:

The counter would have to be bloody good.

In terms of the contract, I'd say that the email acceptance would only be valid if you'd already seen the contract - there is bound to be a term in the contract that you can't accept.

Even if you have actually signed the contract, then you are only bound by the notice period in that contract. Which is usually 1 week for the probationary period.

Even then, it would a) have to be a particularly bloody minded employer to hold anybody to contractual terms before they've started work, and b) it would be hard to prove any loss that they could claim from you anyway. Forget about working for that company in the future mind.

I would however echo the above statements about reasons for leaving. It's rare that people leave jobs for money alone, and it's amazing how quickly you will get used to the additional income whilst all the rest of the reasons for wanting out will remain and continue to fester.

[944fan]

Thanks for all the comments. I have thought long and hard about this. The reasons were not about money, although additional monies have been offered.

However, having had long meetings and discussed the issues we have agreed a way forward and I think we can resolve the problems.

We both accept that perhaps I should have voiced concerns earlier rather than just leaving but also management accept they could have done more sooner.

At the end of the day I walked into the other job without even really trying. There is such a shortage. If it really doesn't work out then I can easily leave later.

[mondeoman]

You'll be looking again in 3-6 months, guaranteed.

Save the extra money, it'll come in handy.

[ruggedscotty]

Once you decide to go - once you accept then you need to go - been there and always find that it never changes even if they double your salary the issues will be there. And of course they know you almost left - once that happens all bets off and they know it.

Go for the change and better yourself.

[Blanchimont]

My OH accepted an offer and started working for them when another interview she went too (before accepting the offer from employer 1) offered her a job. The second job suited her better so she went to that. She was polite, explained what happened and why she was choosing the other job (full time and permanent, rather than part-time maternity cover) and they were fine.