New job - contract and notice help needed

jonny_power

Hi,

I accepted a new job on Friday, and received a written job offer.

I made it clear I can't hand in my notice (3 months notice period) until I get my contract through, but they're keen to get me in ASAP. I'm also keen to start ASAP (significant increased salary!).

The firm are currently re-negotating their benefits package and so new contracts are on hold and I think existing contracts are under review to bring them all in line. It could be 4-5 weeks until my contract arrives apparently. Their HR person is pressing me saying they'll send a sample contract so that I can hand in my notice.

Am I right to stick firm about needing my proper contract through? Is there some form of pre-contract agreement they could draw up which would offer me some level of protection?

I don't want to start coming across as difficult, and they seem understanding that I can't leave myself at risk of unemployment. Any help would be great.

Thanks

pmlindyloo

I am not sure why you need a contract of employment in order to hand in your notice.

An employer only has to provide a written contract of employment within two months of starting the job.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/work/rights-at-work/contracts-of-employment/

Are you saying that you are unsure if the written offer of a job holds tight? Is this a conditional offer of employment subject to references/checks or is it a written offer giving you a start date with salary and hours?

I can understand your anxiety that the job may not materialise but from what you are saying it seems that they are keen to have you.

Really and truly any job offer has its problems in that they could get rid of you with very little notice and at any time subject to certain safeguards.

Perhaps you can clarify why you are so concerned?

jonny_power

pmlindyloo wrote: »

I am not sure why you need a contract of employment in order to hand in your notice.

An employer only has to provide a written contract of employment within two months of starting the job.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/work/rights-at-work/contracts-of-employment/

Are you saying that you are unsure if the written offer of a job holds tight? Is this a conditional offer of employment subject to references/checks or is it a written offer giving you a start date with salary and hours?

I can understand your anxiety that the job may not materialise but from what you are saying it seems that they are keen to have you.

Really and truly any job offer has its problems in that they could get rid of you with very little notice and at any time subject to certain safeguards.

Perhaps you can clarify why you are so concerned?

Thanks, that's helpful.

It's an offer conditional on references (which they haven't asked me about and I don't provide contacts on my CV). It has an approximate start date and has a specific salary.

Why I'm anxious? the new job is going to require selling house/relocating and child #2 is due at the same time, so quite a lot of major stress and upheaval expected! I just want to minimise any risk if possible, but do appreciate this is a firm with a good reputation who aren't going to be messing me around.

Hmm, a lot to think about.

pmlindyloo

jonny_power wrote: »

Thanks, that's helpful.

It's an offer conditional on references (which they haven't asked me about and I don't provide contacts on my CV). It has an approximate start date and has a specific salary.

Why I'm anxious? the new job is going to require selling house/relocating and child #2 is due at the same time, so quite a lot of major stress and upheaval expected! I just want to minimise any risk if possible, but do appreciate this is a firm with a good reputation who aren't going to be messing me around.

Hmm, a lot to think about.

Wow, I see your problem.

Personally I would be more worried about selling my house in time, especially at this time of the year!

Any chance of renting in the new area or commuting for a while?

jonny_power

pmlindyloo wrote: »

Wow, I see your problem.

Personally I would be more worried about selling my house in time, especially at this time of the year!

Any chance of renting in the new area or commuting for a while?

thanks. The house situation is for another thread! Selling our house shouldn't be a massive issue, but finding one to buy is proving to be. Commuting or staying with family is a potential short-term solution.

KiKi

As pmlindyloo says, they can get rid of you in the first two years for so many reasons anyway, and they can withdraw the job offer even if you sign the contract - but if you haven't started they simply give you notice which is 0 days! So even having and signing the contract provides little security unless you have terms in there which protect them from dismissing you - and I can't imagine ANY contract would do that unless you're in a very specialist / senior role that's highly sought after!

If you want the job, then I don't personally think that having the contract is going to add much in this situation. They obviously want you, they're prepared to wait for you, and they're happy to send you a sample contract whilst they sort their new benefits. They have no legal reason to send it to you, either.

What you could do is ask them to put in an email the contracted hours, job title, place of work and salary (inc any bonuses etc) - and anything else that is critical for you. Perhaps just explain to them that as you're having to uproot and move your family, and you're selling your house for it, you'd just like the key details in writing whilst you wait for the contract so that you can put your notice in.

Enjoy your new job!
KiKi

t0rt0ise

I wouldn't worry about getting a contract but I would want an unconditional offer. If the offer is conditional on references I'd want to wait until those references are in before handing in my notice.