accepted a job offer but waiting on another one, help

[stepmeek]

So I am pretty much at the end of my tether with my current role so I have applied for a few positions. In the last month I have had two interviews, and they both went fairly well. I have been offered one job which I verbally accepted and the contract has just arrived for me to sign. I am awaiting on feedback from the second job.

So my question is, if I sign the contract for the first job and then get offered a position with the second company am I free to take that role? I still have a months notice to work so I should have a decision made on the second role before I am due to start with the first company.

I don't want to mess the first company around but my feeling is the second role will have a better package to offer so I will find it hard to turn that down.

Are there any legal reasons why I cant change my mind and go take the second offer if it comes? I don't feel particularly comfortable taking a job to then turn it down but ultimately I have to look after myself.

[JonChalk]

stepmeek said:

f I sign the contract for the first job and then get offered a position with the second company am I free to take that role?

Nope. You now work for the 1st company.

You could just not turn up, of course, but then you'd be in breach of the contract you've signed.

Both companies will then think you're the sort of person who doesn't keep their word, doesn't understand the value of a contract and is in the habit of lying to their employer.

It's your choice, of course.

[Davos123]

Just tell them you need a week to consider it against other offers.

[Countdown]

OP - it happens a lot more often than you think. If you sign the contract and then get a better offer I would be highly surprised if the 1st company wanted to keep you. Nobody wants a person who doesn’t want to be there.

Worst case scenario you could hand in your notice immediately - are they really going to invest time and money in training somebody up who is leaving in 1 month / 3 months ?

[Wilmslowboy]

stepmeek said:

Are there any legal reasons why I cant change my mind and go take the second offer if it comes?

Yes, but would the company do anything about it, unlikely.

Personally, I would stall signing the first offer, and push the second to make an offer sooner rather than later.

If the first job is better (package aside), I would look to see if I could get them to push their offer up.

[Nickbrapp]

I’ve done this twice, accepted then pulled out, always get the same “we’re dissapointed but ok”

Once was to get a pay rise from my current company by calling their bluff and the 2nd was they moved the goal post from yes you can have s car now to oh you might be able to have one in 6 months.

[Flibble]

You're often on reduced notice when starting a new job, a week is pretty typical, so you can just hand in notice immediately.

[anonymous-user]

i've had people do this to me when I've recruited them, and tbh it's a pain, but I've just shrugged my shoulders and moved on, far too many other more important things to deal with.

Do what is right for you, it's your life, but how long have you been waiting for your second offer?

[Piersman2]

Worth reading the contract paperwork closely. I just started a new contract role (so may be different) , but I did notice a specific clause in this contract stating something along the lines of that either party could cancel the contract up to the first day of assignment, but thereafter the notice periods applied.

First time If spotted this clause in writing, but it's really not that uncommon for people to cancel before actually starting work as better offers have come in, or indeed to just not show up on day one!

[GT03ROB]

I've done it before no problems

[stepmeek]

JonChalk said:

Nope. You now work for the 1st company.

You could just not turn up, of course, but then you'd be in breach of the contract you've signed.

Both companies will then think you're the sort of person who doesn't keep their word, doesn't understand the value of a contract and is in the habit of lying to their employer.

It's your choice, of course.

Well my feeling is that I actually don't work for the first company until the first day in my role. I am currently still working a four week notice period from the role I have resigned from.

A bit harsh on the second point. This is the first time I have moved jobs in five years, and I have been fortunate to have been offered a good role. But as I know, these companies would do what is right for them so why should I not do what is right for me. Also, I haven't told any lies. That's a bit of an assumption to make.

[stepmeek]

Wilmslowboy said:

Yes, but would the company do anything about it, unlikely.

Personally, I would stall signing the first offer, and push the second to make an offer sooner rather than later.

If the first job is better (package aside), I would look to see if I could get them to push their offer up.

Yes I am going to try and stall over the next week, hopefully it is resolved by then.

The first company has reached the limit of the of what they will offer me already. It is a great job, but this will be my last job in my career (I hope) so I need to try and make sure it is the right one for me and my family.

[Zarco]

GT03ROB said:

I've done it before no problems

I did it quite recently. Not how I like to operate but that's how things played out.

[stepmeek]

Zarco said:

I did it quite recently. Not how I like to operate but that's how things played out.

Reassuring to hear, like most people have said I cant see a company trying to keep someone who doesn't want to be there