Leaving job post contract signing, pre start

Gavin83

I'm actually posting this on behalf of my girlfriend and wanted some advice.

She recently went job hunting because she was unhappy with the situation at work. She was offered a job a few weeks ago and signed the contract shortly after. She has a few weeks before she is due to start.

Her current company have basically offered her a different position that will resolve her original issues and also a salary increase which puts her above the new job offer. Not only this but she feels the experience she'll get from this newly offered role will serve her better in the future.

My question is if she chooses to now turn down the job offer for which she signed the contract for is there any potential consequences? Could they sue her for any sort of losses?

Thanks for your help.

anamenottaken

Gavin83 wrote: »

I'm actually posting this on behalf of my girlfriend and wanted some advice.

She recently went job hunting because she was unhappy with the situation at work. She was offered a job a few weeks ago and signed the contract shortly after. She has a few weeks before she is due to start.

Her current company have basically offered her a different position that will resolve her original issues and also a salary increase which puts her above the new job offer. Not only this but she feels the experience she'll get from this newly offered role will serve her better in the future.

My question is if she chooses to now turn down the job offer for which she signed the contract for is there any potential consequences? Could they sue her for any sort of losses?

Thanks for your help.

The contract would have given a start date. That date has not yet been reached so the contract it could be argued the contract is not in force. However, what is the notice period included in the contract?

If she was offered the job a few weeks ago and is not due to start for a few more weeks, is it a high level job with a long notice period?

Gavin83

The notice period is a month for both jobs.

marvin

This actually happened with Brighton and Hove Albion FC recently when Sammy Lee agreed to join had signed a contract and then was offered a job with Southampton and went there instead.

The club claimed they could have forced the terms of the contract on him but chose not to do so.

The best thing here is be honest with the new company tell them the situation and let that be your guide.

TBagpuss

She should tell the new employer.

Strictly speaking she is probably required to give them the 1 month notice but in reality they are unlikely to want her there for such a short space of time.