Terminating a contract

[geek876]

Guys,

I work via my own LTD company. I got offered a contract via an agency. They sent me the contract papers, which I have signed and returned to them, awaiting them to counter-sign and return back which they may have already done as we speak. However, I got offered another opportunity and I really want to join the other one.
My question is, can I not join the signed contract and go with the other one ? I will let the agency know obviously but can they make me abide to their contract, especially that I have signed it or I can write to them and make them aware of my intentions that I don't want to join them anymore and that should be ok ? The joining date is still a month away.

Thanks.
geek876

[TheFaQQer]

Terminate the contract that you have accepted in line with the termination clause therein.

[stek]

You can, but be prepared for a lot of moaning and threats from the jilted agent, plus not to say getting yourself a bad rep as contract-breaker in the industry.

Word gets round.

[ChimpMaster]

You can, but be prepared for a lot of moaning and threats from the jilted agent, plus not to say getting yourself a bad rep as contract-breaker in the industry.

Word gets round.

Until the agent comes up with another opportunity to make money out of you.

Seriously, be professional and good with communication, but most importantly be happy in your choice. You don't want to regret your decision down the line because you will be unhappy and hence that much less committed and effective in your work.

[WordIsBond]

Seriously, be professional and good with communication, but most importantly be happy in your choice. You don't want to regret your decision down the line because you will be unhappy and hence that much less committed and effective in your work.

Seriously? Are we talking a six month contract or a life sentence here? Most of us can handle being unhappy with our work for a while. That's one of the advantages of what we do -- you can move on relatively soon. So being a little unhappy with a contract should never be a big decision factor. If it was that bad, he wouldn't have signed it to start. "Be professional" sometimes means you won't be happy for a while.

[Boo]

Word gets round.

No it doesn't.

In fact, you can treat an agency like complete tulipe and they will still come back to you if they think they will make money out of you.

Your contract is not considered to have commenced until the time you actually start work, or receive payment (whichever is earlier) so if that date is still a month away then I would just email the old agecy and tell them you have decided against starting.

Boo2

[TheFaQQer]

In fact, you can treat an agency like complete tulipe and they will still come back to you if they think they will make money out of you.

If you're the only person left that they have to deal with, then yes. If they have any other candidate then they aren't going to pick the one that has walked out early. So, in very very simple terms, you're right.

But I know a former colleague who has never found work through certain agencies no matter how suitable the role is. Primarily because the two agencies that I know (and there may be more) delete the CV as soon as it comes in, because they want nothing to do with him.

Your contract is not considered to have commenced until the time you actually start work, or receive payment (whichever is earlier) so if that date is still a month away then I would just email the old agecy and tell them you have decided against starting.

Boo2

The contract is in force the moment it is agreed by both parties, ie. when one party makes the offer and the other accepts it (either in writing, verbally or in action). If the contract commits you to start delivering from a specific date, then you are committed to delivering from that date.

[stek]

If you're the only person left that they have to deal with, then yes. If they have any other candidate then they aren't going to pick the one that has walked out early. So, in very very simple terms, you're right.

But I know a former colleague who has never found work through certain agencies no matter how suitable the role is. Primarily because the two agencies that I know (and there may be more) delete the CV as soon as it comes in, because they want nothing to do with him.



The contract is in force the moment it is agreed by both parties, ie. when one party makes the offer and the other accepts it (either in writing, verbally or in action). If the contract commits you to start delivering from a specific date, then you are committed to delivering from that date.

Same for me - I'm on some Lloyds Bank blacklist, never got anywhere with them, eventually got an interview, perfect match, round corner, next minute interview canned - was told i'd been interviewed before and they didn't think I'd fit. I've NEVER been interviewed by Lloyds, for Lloyds or by anyone on the interview panel.

So word does get round, even when it's wrong.....

[psychocandy]

But I know a former colleague who has never found work through certain agencies no matter how suitable the role is. Primarily because the two agencies that I know (and there may be more) delete the CV as soon as it comes in, because they want nothing to do with him.

I would suggest that whatever he did then must be really bad. As others have said, cant see an agency canning a candidate that they can make money out of just because they;ve been disappointed or let down slightly in the past.

[TheFaQQer]

I would suggest that whatever he did then must be really bad. As others have said, cant see an agency canning a candidate that they can make money out of just because they;ve been disappointed or let down slightly in the past.

Not particularly - just a reputation for laziness and incompetence.

And given that he's in a niche field, that makes it even more important. Anyway, he's now started running an agency as well, who keep sending me LinkedIn requests that I take great joy in turning down.