Turning down contract after verbal acceptance?

[northernladuk]

That said the option I've missed is if there is no gig whatsoever and it's just the agent that's offered the verbal just to bag the contractor knowing full well the gig won't appear for a month+. I've never heard of this being proven but wouldn't put it past them. If that's the case then they this type of thing they'd pull on the gullible and only the gullible would find it a problem. Experienced types would have just fired and forgot so it never appearing would be nothing more than a blip.

[psychocandy]

You appear to be blaming the agent for something they'll just be as frustrated about. The agent is in exactly the same position as you as they aren't earning commission either and they've put in a lot more work than you have for nothing.

They won't be as narked as you think. They'll be even more hacked off with the client than you are with them and as much as they moan they'll but fully expecting you to turn it down. They do this day in day out so will be well used to contractors finding other gigs when the client delays for weeks. I'd go as far as to say they've probably written if off even earlier than you which is why they are putting so little effort in to the updates.

It is what it is and I am sure every contractor will come across this at some point. Can't take it personally and hate on the agents who are just as frustrated.

Of course, I've no doubt its the end client here who is to blame for this.....

BUT, the agency keeping me informed would have been nice. I know they don't want to lose the gig and don't want to waste time but one update per week would be something. Even replying to my email saying "yeh fair enough all the best" would be something.

If you remember there was a massive mess up with the agencies with this one (again clients fault). The first agency were great, the 2nd one not so. The first place, even though they were well cheesed off with how things transpired, emailed me to tell me they weren't going to screw it up for me, which was good of them.

In the future though, I see a role advertised by two agencies, which one am I going to pick? Lost business all for the sake of an email or two.....

[psychocandy]

That said the option I've missed is if there is no gig whatsoever and it's just the agent that's offered the verbal just to bag the contractor knowing full well the gig won't appear for a month+. I've never heard of this being proven but wouldn't put it past them. If that's the case then they this type of thing they'd pull on the gullible and only the gullible would find it a problem. Experienced types would have just fired and forgot so it never appearing would be nothing more than a blip.

There was a gig. I'd even spoken directly to the client after the interview..... Again, problem here was he was telling me one thing and then nothing from the agent.

Yes, I agree. I had a few interviews arranged AFTER I got the first offer which I went ahead with. And of course this one came up.
Prime reason to follow the advice NLUK to keep looking until you're bums on the seat.....

[Eirikur]

To be honest, they've ghosted me the last two weeks when I've been chasing for an update for the gig...... Whenever I've tried to call I get "he'll call you back". Never did.
They promised to let me know when the client had sent them a PO and they never did. I even msged the one guy via linked in to say "did you get my email asking for an update?" Reply "yes"

Had something similar with a gig that was confirmed by the agent (verbally only)that the end client wanted me, but it would take 4 weeks to sort everything out, in the mean time I asked them by email and over the phone several questions and status updates. never got any reply until the day before I was supposed to start.
I told them I had started somewhere else as they never replied to any of my questions, they were not amused, well neither was I with them.

[northernladuk]

Just have to remember... No feedback is all the feedback you need. If the gig will go ahead the agent will be all over you like a rash, if it's not you'll hear nothing. End of. No point chasing for updates. The agent will contact you when you are needed and not until. One thing I am sure agents don't do is dally when there is money on the table.

[ladymuck]

Just have to remember... No feedback is all the feedback you need. If the gig will go ahead the agent will be all over you like a rash, if it's not you'll hear nothing. End of. No point chasing for updates. The agent will contact you when you are needed and not until. One thing I am sure agents don't do is dally when there is money on the table.

This is very true.

[psychocandy]

Had something similar with a gig that was confirmed by the agent (verbally only)that the end client wanted me, but it would take 4 weeks to sort everything out, in the mean time I asked them by email and over the phone several questions and status updates. never got any reply until the day before I was supposed to start.
I told them I had started somewhere else as they never replied to any of my questions, they were not amused, well neither was I with them.

Yep exactly the same thing with me......

[PCTNN]

Slight different scenario but still kind of on-topic

Asking for a friend (this time for real!)

Also, in this scenario we're in the permie world, not contract although a contract of employment is a contract of employment...

We've established that if I receive an offer from company A and I accept only verbally, then there's no issue whatsoever if I decline the offer. Definitely not ethical, but not illegal either.

If instead I sign the offer of employment from company A, send back and start the process of background checks and what not, but THEN change my mind for whatever reason (better opportunity from company B), what are my options at this stage?

• decline the offer ASAP and hope the company won't sue me for breach of contract (has this ever happened?)
• hand in my notice on day 1
• anything else?

Either way I'd be burning all my bridges with company A (and rightfully so)

[eek]

Slight different scenario but still kind of on-topic

Asking for a friend (this time for real!)

Also, in this scenario we're in the permie world, not contract although a contract of employment is a contract of employment...

We've established that if I receive an offer from company A and I accept only verbally, then there's no issue whatsoever if I decline the offer. Definitely not ethical, but not illegal either.

If instead I sign the offer of employment from company A, send back and start the process of background checks and what not, but THEN change my mind for whatever reason (better opportunity from company B), what are my options at this stage?

• decline the offer ASAP and hope the company won't sue me for breach of contract (has this ever happened?)
• hand in my notice on day 1
• anything else?

Either way I'd be burning all my bridges with company A (and rightfully so)

Politely decline the offer ASAP

Why the else would you actually turn up on day 1 and then leave.

[PCTNN]

yeah I appreciate it's very unlikely they'd do it but I was just thinking of the very extreme case of a petty company that says you signed a binding contract, we want you to start on the agreed date.