Contract A in hand, intvw for Contract B on Wed

[theroyale]

I'm sure this sort of situation has done the rounds often enough, but still have to ask here: I've landed Contract A for which I interviewed last week - the paperwork is on its way today (Monday). On Wednesday I have an interview for Contract B - fantastic terms paying double of A, better work too, and I'd love to give it a shot.

The question here is how long can I reasonably put off signing Contract A? (Work commences Monday next). The agency on this contract is one of the - if not the - biggest IT recruiters out there, so I should be ruling out changing my mind after I've signed, right? - to ask a more specific question, What Usually Happens if you change your mind during the paperwork process/just after signing, but before actual work starts?

[dynamicsaxcontractor]

I'm sure this sort of situation has done the rounds often enough, but still have to ask here: I've landed Contract A for which I interviewed last week - the paperwork is on its way today (Monday). On Wednesday I have an interview for Contract B - fantastic terms paying double of A, better work too, and I'd love to give it a shot.

The question here is how long can I reasonably put off signing Contract A? (Work commences Monday next). The agency on this contract is one of the - if not the - biggest IT recruiters out there, so I should be ruling out changing my mind after I've signed, right? - to ask a more specific question, What Usually Happens if you change your mind during the paperwork process/just after signing, but before actual work starts?

What's the notice period on contract a and when are you expected to start on contract b if you got it offered?

[theroyale]

What's the notice period on contract a and when are you expected to start on contract b if you got it offered?

- Currently I don't see a specified notice period in Contract A (which means I'll have to get that clarified).

- Start date on Contract B would probably be a week after the start date on Contract A.

[SueEllen]

- Currently I don't see a specified notice period in Contract A (which means I'll have to get that clarified).

You should get contract A "reviewed" after you asked for the notice period to be clarified in it.

That will take a minimum of an extra day. Then you can negotiate the clauses that are "unacceptable". Which could take you until Friday.

- Start date on Contract B would probably be a week after the start date on Contract A.

Your main issue is if client 2 and agency 2 take a long time in informing you whether you have the role.

[lje]

The normal delaying tactics are...

1. Send the contract for IR35 review - should get you a couple of days.
2. Argue about every clause which you don't like.

The good thing about this is that when the agent refuses to give you some of the things you asked for you've got a great reason to decline the contract and take the one which you've (hopefully) been offerred in the meantime.

[northernladuk]

The UK post is frightfully unreliable nowadays. Things often go missing in the post and I have had many contracts come through where the post has accidentally ripped open and the piece of paper I require is missing. In these cases I have to ring the agent asking where it is, he says wait another day, it doesn't appear so he has to post it taking another two days.

What a terrible state of affairs

[theroyale]

Brilliant, I can buy 2-3 days straight up then, notice period clause, I need payment terms clarified too, and of course an IR35 review.

The UK post is frightfully unreliable nowadays. Things often go missing in the post and I have had many contracts come through where the post has accidentally ripped open and the piece of paper I require is missing.

- but this wouldn't really apply because we're doing it electronically, i.e. take printout, sign, scan and return?

Your main issue is if client 2 and agency 2 take a long time in informing you whether you have the role.

- Yes... I'm hoping client 2 will have feedback within a day of interview. If they're going to take say a whole week, then I may have to let contract 2 go - but I want to give it a shot anyway.

[Mr.Whippy]

but this wouldn't really apply because we're doing it electronically, i.e. take printout, sign, scan and return?

Didn't your scanner die the other day and you're waiting for a new one to be delivered?

I've used that one before now to slow things down a little

[northernladuk]

Didn't your scanner die the other day and you're waiting for a new one to be delivered?

I've used that one before now to slow things down a little

We had one of these scanning/printing/faxing all singing and dancing things that you could mail your scan directly from the machine at the last client and managed to scan and send the blank side of the copy of my receipts for two months until someone pointed it out at the other end

Could just scan a blank page and send him that to add to the confusion. Makes you look like a right pillock but it can extend your delay time by a bit.

[theroyale]

Is it normal though for people to start work with the contract still being passed back and forth unsigned? Just wondering how long I can safely push this...