Am I legally bound to my new job having not signed a contract yet...?

lombrozo

Hi all,

I got a new job but I'm still very unsure if I want to take it.

I'm still at my old job at the moment waiting for security clearance on the new one. I have signed and sent off an 'acceptance' letter, but is this the same as a contract, and am I still able to back out?

Any help most appreciated.

Thanks.

Ynayesta

You don't have a contract with them, so you don't need to give them any notice. It's a nuisance for them as you haven't officially accepted the job, having no contract with them.

If you feel you are better off backing out, now would be the time. You wouldn't be quitting the job, just not accepting it. However wait for someone else to chime in aswell, I'm not clear on this 'acceptance' letter of yours.

Did it state you were going to work for them, any hours, anything official that may be taken as you being on their books. Perhaps it was just a "Thank you for offering me a position, i am still interested and would like to sign a contract with your company"?

t0rt0ise

Even if you had to give notice I doubt they'd want to hold you to it. What's the point in them training you up only to have you leave in a week's time. Doesn't the law say that statutory notice is one week after the first month implying that in the first month there is no notice needed?

lombrozo

The letter states I have a conditional offer of employment after I pass developed vetting (security clearance). Once (if) I've passed they will then send me out an UNconditional offer of employment....

InsideInsurance

You would need to read exactly what you had signed as well as any emails you may have sent or anything that you have said to them or the agents.

In reality it is all fairly immaterial as you can "resign" today, you cant start the new job until security clearance that normally takes a few weeks and no one is going to take you on just for a couple of days.

The only consideration is that they may decide that they wont ever want you to work for them in the future because of you messing them around with accepting the job then declining it. No direct financial repercussion today but may impact you in the future. Personally I dont like burning bridges

coinxoperated

If you do decide to mess them about as such, don't expect any further opportunities with them. People remember those that caused them problems!