Employment contract - start date
Discussion
Bit of an odd one here. I'm about to join a company as a consultant, and will be placed on a client site. I've been issued with, signed and returned a contract with a start date (12th Dec). One of the recruitment people just informed me that the client have been a bit slow with lining up some induction stuff, and that they may need to delay. I queried this, pointing out that I had a signed contract with a start date. I was told "oh, we can just reissue that with a new start date".
Surely this can't be right!? Is it just me that this seems a bit odd to?
Surely this can't be right!? Is it just me that this seems a bit odd to?
Maybe not right, but if your a contactor, there will likely be something in the contract with regards to amending it.
Either way, if you want the job, you just have to take it. Only other way is if you can convince them to let you start, even though they may not have everything set up for you. If its a week delay, not too bad, if its a month or so, different story.
Either way, if you want the job, you just have to take it. Only other way is if you can convince them to let you start, even though they may not have everything set up for you. If its a week delay, not too bad, if its a month or so, different story.
Keep the company on ice for future use.
You can if you wish say "start date whenever but I am contracted to be paid from 12 Dec". Matter for you whether you think it worthwhile to take such a stance at the outset of the deal. The employer might say "cool, we will pay you from 12th December ...
... until 19th December and then bye bye".
You can if you wish say "start date whenever but I am contracted to be paid from 12 Dec". Matter for you whether you think it worthwhile to take such a stance at the outset of the deal. The employer might say "cool, we will pay you from 12th December ...
... until 19th December and then bye bye".
Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 28th November 12:48
In my experience, consultancies can't get you in the door fast enough. It may genuinely be a result of HR disorganisation (it wouldn't be the first time), or the cynical amongst us might say that their client has delayed project start and so they don't need you just yet. Or possibly they're getting cold feet about the whole thing.
In any event, having a signed contract at this point means less than nothing in reality so either kick up a stink, let it slide, or start looking for another role.
In any event, having a signed contract at this point means less than nothing in reality so either kick up a stink, let it slide, or start looking for another role.
One further point, it is relatively unusual for people to be taken on that close to Christmas so it wouldn't surprise me at all if they delayed your start date till the New Year. In fact I would be mildly shocked if that wasn't what they had in mind.
Either way, I would be talking your new employer direct and asking for clarity on a start date, making as much noise about personal inconvenience / leaving current role / reflecting badly on them as a business etc. etc. as you feel is needed.
Either way, I would be talking your new employer direct and asking for clarity on a start date, making as much noise about personal inconvenience / leaving current role / reflecting badly on them as a business etc. etc. as you feel is needed.
How about considering saying to them -- ok I'm understanding that you don't want me until January 2 (or whenever they reasonably suggest) but rather than reissue an amended contract with a new start date, leave the start date as is and ask they issue to you a side letter that says we agree that I am unpaid leave (additional to contractual leave) from the start date until Jan 2.
That way you can enjoy Christmas knowing you have a job to go to and you get a month's holiday time during December. In return they get the security that the sparkly new candidate that they have just selected for their important role is not going to run off to another employer.
That way you can enjoy Christmas knowing you have a job to go to and you get a month's holiday time during December. In return they get the security that the sparkly new candidate that they have just selected for their important role is not going to run off to another employer.
Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff