Job offer accepted - no contract yet

arciere

Obviously I will get in touch with the employer directly on this as we get closer to my start date, but I wanted to check if this is expected and not much of an issue.

I was offered a job at a school close to where I live. Being my second time in a school environment, I was familiar with the process, in terms of references, DBS checks, etc. However, a month after having sent my resignation to my current manager, and having officially accepted the offer, I still haven't received or signed any contract (we are approximately one month away from my proposed start date).

I have already visited the school on a number of occasions to sign some paperwork (related to the DBS) and given copies of my IDs, but they still haven't come back to me with a proper contract.

Is this normal practice, like, is it normal to be left until the end? Or should I be worried / start asking questions?

marcia_

Pretty normal from a council/school etc. i have received contracts after being there months already. Once i didn't get one at all until
i requested it years later to query my holiday entitlement 

arciere

marcia_ said:

Pretty normal from a council/school etc. i have received contracts after being there months already. Once i didn't get one at all until
i requested it years later to query my holiday entitlement 

So how does it work in terms of working hours, holidays, etc. if you don't sign one? I mean, can you rely on the email that contained the job offer?

DullGreyGuy

They only have to give you the principle statement of particulars by the end of day 1 and have a further 2 months to give you the rest of the wider statement. Having already accepted an offer with the intention that you'll work for them paying you then you are already in contract. 

Undervalued

arciere said:

marcia_ said:

Pretty normal from a council/school etc. i have received contracts after being there months already. Once i didn't get one at all until
i requested it years later to query my holiday entitlement 

So how does it work in terms of working hours, holidays, etc. if you don't sign one? I mean, can you rely on the email that contained the job offer?

Yes.

A "contract" is formed by offer and acceptance. It doesn't even have to be written down, let alone signed, although it is generally better if it is in the event of a dispute.

Legally an employer is supposed to provide "a written statement of main particulars of employment" although there is generally no useful legal redress if they don't.

In the wider sense a "contract of employment" is more than just a sheet of paper with the word contract on it. It can include the job advert, letter, emails, staff handbooks and even notices on the tea room wall!