Contract Renewal acceptance and refusing ?

**stek** · 4 September 2014, 11:29

If I were you I'd do some research before asking such an oft-asked question.

Let the pile-on commence!

**TheFaQQer** · 4 September 2014, 11:33

Originally posted by leet View Post

Will it be legally ok to accept a IT contract renewal and then refuse it ?

I been contracting through Agency in this place for two years now and got multiple contract extensions. My contract was about to expire next week and got extended temporarily for 3 weeks last week which i accepted. ( it had 4 weeks notice period in it which i think is weird ) .

But now have got another offer from different company starting from week after and its for longer duration. I want to accept this new offer but want to know if it is legally ok to decline the contract extension with existing agency or will i be obliged to give notice period as mentioned in the renewal terms ?

If you have accepted the contract, then you are bound by the laws of contract.

Either give your notice and work that, or offer to bring in a substitute for the last few weeks of your current role and go to the new one.

Or just walk out and hope that they don't withhold your last invoice, or sue you, or anything like that.

**leet** · 4 September 2014, 11:34

Originally posted by stek View Post

If I were you I'd do some research before asking such an oft-asked question.

Let the pile-on commence!

Thanks for reply. I did find articles around accepting or not accepting the renewal being contractor choice but didn't find any help around refusing after accepting the renewal by signing paper work.

Just want to know if it is legally ok to just tell my agency that i have changed my mind and won't be renewing ?

Thanks.

**northernladuk** · 4 September 2014, 11:36

Originally posted by leet View Post

Will it be legally ok to accept a IT contract renewal and then refuse it ? .

Really?!??

Have you applied this logic to other types of contract such as phones etc? What do you think they would say?

**leet** · 4 September 2014, 11:46

Originally posted by northernladuk View Post

Really?!??

Have you applied this logic to other types of contract such as phones etc? What do you think they would say?

Guys can some one shed light please ? - if i can just say no to extension after signing the contract ?

**anthony** · 4 September 2014, 11:51

Hand in your notice and work it out.

Or as others say risk walking out and hope nothing happens. But if you do that also think of your professional reputation, and it's never a good thing to burn your bridges.

**Old Greg** · 4 September 2014, 12:00

Originally posted by leet View Post

Thanks for reply. I did find articles around accepting or not accepting the renewal being contractor choice but didn't find any help around refusing after accepting the renewal by signing paper work.

Just want to know if it is legally ok to just tell my agency that i have changed my mind and won't be renewing ?

Thanks.

Tell them you will be unavailable for work for a period the same as your notice period and then give notice. Offer to send a sub if you're feeling generous.

**TheFaQQer** · 4 September 2014, 12:01

Originally posted by leet View Post

Just want to know if it is legally ok to just tell my agency that i have changed my mind and won't be renewing ?

Yes, it's legally OK to tell them that.

That doesn't mean that you aren't in breach of contract, which could open you up to other penalties, but it's OK to tell them that you won't be there. You just have to hope from that moment on that things fall your way.

**CheeseSlice** · 4 September 2014, 12:07

Why don't you have a chat with the people for the better contract offer and ask if they could delay a few weeks?
They may not like that, but it would get you out of a situation. They may be willing to wait if you're the right person.

Contract Renewal acceptance and refusing ?