Reply to: accepting contracts

[norrahe]

Thanks, will just wait and see what happens, have been volunteering full time for an animal rescue charity, so have been enjoying that in my time off.

[TheFaQQer]

Not sure if you're being nice or nasty.

That was me being nice - I wish norrahe the very best in searching for a new contract.

[Ivor Bigun]

Here's hoping you get one of them, then.

Not sure if you're being nice or nasty.

[TheFaQQer]

all the other ones pay better!

Here's hoping you get one of them, then.

[norrahe]

Commiserations - hopefully the next one will be a success.

all the other ones pay better!

[TheFaQQer]

Also, everyone who says "verbal contracts - its the law" are just tiny people taking through their ar*e.

The law that a verbal contract was binding was confirmed most recently in Bear Stearns Bank Plc. v Forum Global Equity Ltd. [2007] EWHC 1576 (Comm), which concluded that a binding contract was in place once a conversation had taken place in which they agreed the material terms (in this case, the price).

You can read a summary on The Register, and in various other places online - just Google the parties involved.

HTH

[Ivor Bigun]

In response to a PM......

Which offer to take "job 1" or "job 2"

Whichever way you look at it - an £x pd difference and nearer home is worth fighting for in the long term. There's plenty of time to contemplate what you'd spend the extra money on over the term of the contract

IMO, if you're going to jump, only do it once you're absolutely sure you've got the other gig. Also, only do it in the terms of the contract you've signed and you must have valid reasons for doing so. Money and near home is one of them!

If the preferred gig starts before, then as long as you haven't signed the contract, you'll be OK - just state "personal reasons". There's plenty of benched contractors who will jump at it anyway. (no come back on you)

If the preferred gig is after the start date of the first - thats more of a problem. In that case, I'd start the first contract and leave once the other is signed and sealed. Just make sure your terms with the first contract are 2 week's notice in first 8 weeks

[Ivor Bigun]

ho hum, didn't get it.

i've some other interviews lined up, so it aint the end of the world

Unlucky - Hindsight is a wonderful thing - bird in the hand etc. Hope you get another contract. I hope it wasn;t something designed to make you pull out of the first gig

As regards the separate thing - backing out of a verbal contract:
I've done it and had no problems whatsoever (other than the argy bargy from client and agency). My reasons were entirely valid (from my point of view) and I 've never suffered from it at all. I just wasted a day's pay and I'm very glad I did.

Just make sure you do it as late as possible and make sure the new gig is signed and sealed (literally) before you do it. Don't do this "honour" thing - its a load of b*ll*cks.
Also, everyone who says "verbal contracts - its the law" are just tiny people taking through their ar*e.
Time to get real here - Some people here seem to have a really inflated ego about who they are - none of us are BP, Virgin or Microsoft.

What about all the contractors who are given verbal assurance that there is an extension and are them booted out the next week?
Hope all goes well - do whats best for you NOW - and don't worry about morals. They are the first to be ditched when times get rough.

[minestrone]

hmmm.....didn't know that, and i have bought 3 properties in Scotland.

That being said they were all new builds from a developer, so maybe that's different?

In each case as far as I was aware, it was only binding once the missives have been signed.

Yes, that is the case, missives are the document that makes the difference, even the written offer placed by your solicitor on the closing day means bugger all really which is strange.

You would think a signed bit of header paper with "I am W, representing my client X, who wishes to place an offer of £Y for property Z" would be binding.



Anyway, I actually don't know what the law on verbals is north of the border but as said before I always leave it subject to review of contract.

[TheFaQQer]

ho hum, didn't get it.

i've some other interviews lined up, so it aint the end of the world

Commiserations - hopefully the next one will be a success.

[norrahe]

ho hum, didn't get it.

i've some other interviews lined up, so it aint the end of the world

[norrahe]

Ok. Not what I really mean to ask... but fair enough. Just wondering if it was near the city centre or near one of their business parks. I use to live down in Basingstoke... nice area. I suspect the company is near Chinnhem (sp?) Business Park....

yep, the role is based in europe (thankfully not b'stoke), 12-14 months of implementation in varying countries.

[pmeswani]

medical supplies co

Ok. Not what I really mean to ask... but fair enough. Just wondering if it was near the city centre or near one of their business parks. I use to live down in Basingstoke... nice area. I suspect the company is near Chinnhem (sp?) Business Park....

[norrahe]

Ignoring the legal discussion - if you've been benched since June,

deliberately took time off (4 months) and have a nice rainy year fund

getting lots of calls re new work from my regular pimps

[norrahe]

Just out of curiousity... whereabouts in Basingstoke was the interview?

medical supplies co