Can I reject an accepted offer? [closed]

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I recently signed an acceptance letter of an offer from a company in UK. In the offer letter there are no declaimers about consequences about rejections.

However, I've changed my mind and would like to accept another offer from another company.

Is there any legal consequences?

professionalism job-offer

share|improve this question

edited May 19 '14 at 5:25

JakeGould

6,5821739

asked May 18 '14 at 13:02

DiveDiveDive

199214

closed as off-topic by Joe Strazzere, jcmeloni, Michael Grubey, gnat, IDrinkandIKnowThings May 20 '14 at 17:13

This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:

• "Questions seeking legal advice are off-topic as they require answers by legal professionals. See: What is asking for legal advice?" – Joe Strazzere, jcmeloni, Michael Grubey, gnat, IDrinkandIKnowThings

If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I think that would depend on what was in the acceptance letter, but usually an acceptance letter confirms intent rather than being a contract.
  – MJ6
  May 18 '14 at 13:22
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  This may be OFF-TOPIC since it's about "legal consequences"... BTW, to the community - I am new here and I notice ALOT of legal questions that really are not "workplace questions". Cheers.
  – d'alar'cop
  May 18 '14 at 13:39
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Think of it this way: Would there be any legal consequences if you took the job and then quit after 1 day? After 1 month? After 1 year? Unless specific damages were spelled out for you leaving before a specific time, there should be no legal consequences. What you should be worrying about are career consequences, but you didn't ask about those.
  – Olin Lathrop
  May 18 '14 at 21:37
  
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
3
down vote

favorite

2

I recently signed an acceptance letter of an offer from a company in UK. In the offer letter there are no declaimers about consequences about rejections.

However, I've changed my mind and would like to accept another offer from another company.

Is there any legal consequences?

professionalism job-offer

share|improve this question

edited May 19 '14 at 5:25

JakeGould

6,5821739

asked May 18 '14 at 13:02

DiveDiveDive

199214

closed as off-topic by Joe Strazzere, jcmeloni, Michael Grubey, gnat, IDrinkandIKnowThings May 20 '14 at 17:13

This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:

• "Questions seeking legal advice are off-topic as they require answers by legal professionals. See: What is asking for legal advice?" – Joe Strazzere, jcmeloni, Michael Grubey, gnat, IDrinkandIKnowThings

If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I think that would depend on what was in the acceptance letter, but usually an acceptance letter confirms intent rather than being a contract.
  – MJ6
  May 18 '14 at 13:22
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  This may be OFF-TOPIC since it's about "legal consequences"... BTW, to the community - I am new here and I notice ALOT of legal questions that really are not "workplace questions". Cheers.
  – d'alar'cop
  May 18 '14 at 13:39
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Think of it this way: Would there be any legal consequences if you took the job and then quit after 1 day? After 1 month? After 1 year? Unless specific damages were spelled out for you leaving before a specific time, there should be no legal consequences. What you should be worrying about are career consequences, but you didn't ask about those.
  – Olin Lathrop
  May 18 '14 at 21:37
  
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
3
down vote

favorite

2

up vote
3
down vote

favorite

2

2

I recently signed an acceptance letter of an offer from a company in UK. In the offer letter there are no declaimers about consequences about rejections.

However, I've changed my mind and would like to accept another offer from another company.

Is there any legal consequences?

professionalism job-offer

share|improve this question

edited May 19 '14 at 5:25

JakeGould

6,5821739

asked May 18 '14 at 13:02

DiveDiveDive

199214

I recently signed an acceptance letter of an offer from a company in UK. In the offer letter there are no declaimers about consequences about rejections.

However, I've changed my mind and would like to accept another offer from another company.

Is there any legal consequences?

professionalism job-offer

share|improve this question

edited May 19 '14 at 5:25

JakeGould

6,5821739

asked May 18 '14 at 13:02

DiveDiveDive

199214

share|improve this question

share|improve this question

edited May 19 '14 at 5:25

JakeGould

6,5821739

edited May 19 '14 at 5:25

JakeGould

6,5821739

edited May 19 '14 at 5:25

JakeGould

6,5821739

6,5821739

asked May 18 '14 at 13:02

DiveDiveDive

199214

asked May 18 '14 at 13:02

DiveDiveDive

199214

asked May 18 '14 at 13:02

DiveDiveDive

199214

199214

closed as off-topic by Joe Strazzere, jcmeloni, Michael Grubey, gnat, IDrinkandIKnowThings May 20 '14 at 17:13

This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:

• "Questions seeking legal advice are off-topic as they require answers by legal professionals. See: What is asking for legal advice?" – Joe Strazzere, jcmeloni, Michael Grubey, gnat, IDrinkandIKnowThings

If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.

closed as off-topic by Joe Strazzere, jcmeloni, Michael Grubey, gnat, IDrinkandIKnowThings May 20 '14 at 17:13

This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:

• "Questions seeking legal advice are off-topic as they require answers by legal professionals. See: What is asking for legal advice?" – Joe Strazzere, jcmeloni, Michael Grubey, gnat, IDrinkandIKnowThings

If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I think that would depend on what was in the acceptance letter, but usually an acceptance letter confirms intent rather than being a contract.
  – MJ6
  May 18 '14 at 13:22
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  This may be OFF-TOPIC since it's about "legal consequences"... BTW, to the community - I am new here and I notice ALOT of legal questions that really are not "workplace questions". Cheers.
  – d'alar'cop
  May 18 '14 at 13:39
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Think of it this way: Would there be any legal consequences if you took the job and then quit after 1 day? After 1 month? After 1 year? Unless specific damages were spelled out for you leaving before a specific time, there should be no legal consequences. What you should be worrying about are career consequences, but you didn't ask about those.
  – Olin Lathrop
  May 18 '14 at 21:37
  
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I think that would depend on what was in the acceptance letter, but usually an acceptance letter confirms intent rather than being a contract.
  – MJ6
  May 18 '14 at 13:22
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  This may be OFF-TOPIC since it's about "legal consequences"... BTW, to the community - I am new here and I notice ALOT of legal questions that really are not "workplace questions". Cheers.
  – d'alar'cop
  May 18 '14 at 13:39
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Think of it this way: Would there be any legal consequences if you took the job and then quit after 1 day? After 1 month? After 1 year? Unless specific damages were spelled out for you leaving before a specific time, there should be no legal consequences. What you should be worrying about are career consequences, but you didn't ask about those.
  – Olin Lathrop
  May 18 '14 at 21:37
  
  

  
  
  
  

1

1

I think that would depend on what was in the acceptance letter, but usually an acceptance letter confirms intent rather than being a contract.
– MJ6
May 18 '14 at 13:22

I think that would depend on what was in the acceptance letter, but usually an acceptance letter confirms intent rather than being a contract.
– MJ6
May 18 '14 at 13:22

1

1

This may be OFF-TOPIC since it's about "legal consequences"... BTW, to the community - I am new here and I notice ALOT of legal questions that really are not "workplace questions". Cheers.
– d'alar'cop
May 18 '14 at 13:39

This may be OFF-TOPIC since it's about "legal consequences"... BTW, to the community - I am new here and I notice ALOT of legal questions that really are not "workplace questions". Cheers.
– d'alar'cop
May 18 '14 at 13:39

1

1

Think of it this way: Would there be any legal consequences if you took the job and then quit after 1 day? After 1 month? After 1 year? Unless specific damages were spelled out for you leaving before a specific time, there should be no legal consequences. What you should be worrying about are career consequences, but you didn't ask about those.
– Olin Lathrop
May 18 '14 at 21:37

Think of it this way: Would there be any legal consequences if you took the job and then quit after 1 day? After 1 month? After 1 year? Unless specific damages were spelled out for you leaving before a specific time, there should be no legal consequences. What you should be worrying about are career consequences, but you didn't ask about those.
– Olin Lathrop
May 18 '14 at 21:37

add a comment | 

1 Answer
1

active

oldest

votes

up vote
14
down vote



accepted

However, I’ve changed my mind and would like to accept another offer
from another company.

Go for it.

Is there any legal consequences?

Yes, no, maybe, not really.

If the agreement doesn’t clearly spell out penalties, there should be none. The first company might not be happy, but depending on your field of career path that might not mean anything.

If you are concerned, contact the first company directly & lay it out there: An offer that fits in more with your goals has come along & you would like to decline the offer you just accepted.

And when I say, “Yes, no, maybe, not really.” what I mean us this: Do you really think that company—or any company—will spend their resources to be punitive towards a potential employee who has not worked for them & does not want to work with them? Chances of legal fallback are zilch.

That aspect is really one of the least talked about realities of employment agreements: They are really designed to create the impression that you have no choice once the paper is signed. The reality is no company would ever punish each prospective employee who decides to just walk away. It wastes their time, money & resources as well as create the impression that the company is a harsh place to work in.

Just take the better offer, rescind the previous offer gracefully & professionally. Don't think twice about it.

share|improve this answer

edited May 19 '14 at 16:30

answered May 18 '14 at 13:50

JakeGould

6,5821739

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I'd just like to add: when you do spell it out to the first company, there's always the chance that they give you a counteroffer and try to compete with the other company. This might not happen to everyone, and it might not be what you want, but it can be useful sometimes.
  – Gigi
  May 19 '14 at 18:12
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @Gigi True. That can happen. But what is the context of a counter-offer? More compensation? Better benefits? Maybe a "better" offer includes better resources & a better work environment. In general one should go with their gut in cases like this. A counter offer of strictly better pay can also be a sign of desperation. Always go for what fits your needs best.
  – JakeGould
  May 19 '14 at 18:21
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

1 Answer
1

active

oldest

votes

1 Answer
1

active

oldest

votes

active

oldest

votes

active

oldest

votes

up vote
14
down vote



accepted

However, I’ve changed my mind and would like to accept another offer
from another company.

Go for it.

Is there any legal consequences?

Yes, no, maybe, not really.

If the agreement doesn’t clearly spell out penalties, there should be none. The first company might not be happy, but depending on your field of career path that might not mean anything.

If you are concerned, contact the first company directly & lay it out there: An offer that fits in more with your goals has come along & you would like to decline the offer you just accepted.

And when I say, “Yes, no, maybe, not really.” what I mean us this: Do you really think that company—or any company—will spend their resources to be punitive towards a potential employee who has not worked for them & does not want to work with them? Chances of legal fallback are zilch.

That aspect is really one of the least talked about realities of employment agreements: They are really designed to create the impression that you have no choice once the paper is signed. The reality is no company would ever punish each prospective employee who decides to just walk away. It wastes their time, money & resources as well as create the impression that the company is a harsh place to work in.

Just take the better offer, rescind the previous offer gracefully & professionally. Don't think twice about it.

share|improve this answer

edited May 19 '14 at 16:30

answered May 18 '14 at 13:50

JakeGould

6,5821739

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I'd just like to add: when you do spell it out to the first company, there's always the chance that they give you a counteroffer and try to compete with the other company. This might not happen to everyone, and it might not be what you want, but it can be useful sometimes.
  – Gigi
  May 19 '14 at 18:12
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @Gigi True. That can happen. But what is the context of a counter-offer? More compensation? Better benefits? Maybe a "better" offer includes better resources & a better work environment. In general one should go with their gut in cases like this. A counter offer of strictly better pay can also be a sign of desperation. Always go for what fits your needs best.
  – JakeGould
  May 19 '14 at 18:21
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
14
down vote



accepted

However, I’ve changed my mind and would like to accept another offer
from another company.

Go for it.

Is there any legal consequences?

Yes, no, maybe, not really.

If the agreement doesn’t clearly spell out penalties, there should be none. The first company might not be happy, but depending on your field of career path that might not mean anything.

If you are concerned, contact the first company directly & lay it out there: An offer that fits in more with your goals has come along & you would like to decline the offer you just accepted.

And when I say, “Yes, no, maybe, not really.” what I mean us this: Do you really think that company—or any company—will spend their resources to be punitive towards a potential employee who has not worked for them & does not want to work with them? Chances of legal fallback are zilch.

That aspect is really one of the least talked about realities of employment agreements: They are really designed to create the impression that you have no choice once the paper is signed. The reality is no company would ever punish each prospective employee who decides to just walk away. It wastes their time, money & resources as well as create the impression that the company is a harsh place to work in.

Just take the better offer, rescind the previous offer gracefully & professionally. Don't think twice about it.

share|improve this answer

edited May 19 '14 at 16:30

answered May 18 '14 at 13:50

JakeGould

6,5821739

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I'd just like to add: when you do spell it out to the first company, there's always the chance that they give you a counteroffer and try to compete with the other company. This might not happen to everyone, and it might not be what you want, but it can be useful sometimes.
  – Gigi
  May 19 '14 at 18:12
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @Gigi True. That can happen. But what is the context of a counter-offer? More compensation? Better benefits? Maybe a "better" offer includes better resources & a better work environment. In general one should go with their gut in cases like this. A counter offer of strictly better pay can also be a sign of desperation. Always go for what fits your needs best.
  – JakeGould
  May 19 '14 at 18:21
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
14
down vote



accepted

up vote
14
down vote



accepted

However, I’ve changed my mind and would like to accept another offer
from another company.

Go for it.

Is there any legal consequences?

Yes, no, maybe, not really.

If the agreement doesn’t clearly spell out penalties, there should be none. The first company might not be happy, but depending on your field of career path that might not mean anything.

If you are concerned, contact the first company directly & lay it out there: An offer that fits in more with your goals has come along & you would like to decline the offer you just accepted.

And when I say, “Yes, no, maybe, not really.” what I mean us this: Do you really think that company—or any company—will spend their resources to be punitive towards a potential employee who has not worked for them & does not want to work with them? Chances of legal fallback are zilch.

That aspect is really one of the least talked about realities of employment agreements: They are really designed to create the impression that you have no choice once the paper is signed. The reality is no company would ever punish each prospective employee who decides to just walk away. It wastes their time, money & resources as well as create the impression that the company is a harsh place to work in.

Just take the better offer, rescind the previous offer gracefully & professionally. Don't think twice about it.

share|improve this answer

edited May 19 '14 at 16:30

answered May 18 '14 at 13:50

JakeGould

6,5821739

However, I’ve changed my mind and would like to accept another offer
from another company.

Go for it.

Is there any legal consequences?

Yes, no, maybe, not really.

If the agreement doesn’t clearly spell out penalties, there should be none. The first company might not be happy, but depending on your field of career path that might not mean anything.

If you are concerned, contact the first company directly & lay it out there: An offer that fits in more with your goals has come along & you would like to decline the offer you just accepted.

And when I say, “Yes, no, maybe, not really.” what I mean us this: Do you really think that company—or any company—will spend their resources to be punitive towards a potential employee who has not worked for them & does not want to work with them? Chances of legal fallback are zilch.

That aspect is really one of the least talked about realities of employment agreements: They are really designed to create the impression that you have no choice once the paper is signed. The reality is no company would ever punish each prospective employee who decides to just walk away. It wastes their time, money & resources as well as create the impression that the company is a harsh place to work in.

Just take the better offer, rescind the previous offer gracefully & professionally. Don't think twice about it.

share|improve this answer

edited May 19 '14 at 16:30

answered May 18 '14 at 13:50

JakeGould

6,5821739

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

edited May 19 '14 at 16:30

edited May 19 '14 at 16:30

edited May 19 '14 at 16:30

answered May 18 '14 at 13:50

JakeGould

6,5821739

answered May 18 '14 at 13:50

JakeGould

6,5821739

answered May 18 '14 at 13:50

JakeGould

6,5821739

6,5821739

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I'd just like to add: when you do spell it out to the first company, there's always the chance that they give you a counteroffer and try to compete with the other company. This might not happen to everyone, and it might not be what you want, but it can be useful sometimes.
  – Gigi
  May 19 '14 at 18:12
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @Gigi True. That can happen. But what is the context of a counter-offer? More compensation? Better benefits? Maybe a "better" offer includes better resources & a better work environment. In general one should go with their gut in cases like this. A counter offer of strictly better pay can also be a sign of desperation. Always go for what fits your needs best.
  – JakeGould
  May 19 '14 at 18:21
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I'd just like to add: when you do spell it out to the first company, there's always the chance that they give you a counteroffer and try to compete with the other company. This might not happen to everyone, and it might not be what you want, but it can be useful sometimes.
  – Gigi
  May 19 '14 at 18:12
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @Gigi True. That can happen. But what is the context of a counter-offer? More compensation? Better benefits? Maybe a "better" offer includes better resources & a better work environment. In general one should go with their gut in cases like this. A counter offer of strictly better pay can also be a sign of desperation. Always go for what fits your needs best.
  – JakeGould
  May 19 '14 at 18:21
  

  
  
  
  

1

1

I'd just like to add: when you do spell it out to the first company, there's always the chance that they give you a counteroffer and try to compete with the other company. This might not happen to everyone, and it might not be what you want, but it can be useful sometimes.
– Gigi
May 19 '14 at 18:12

I'd just like to add: when you do spell it out to the first company, there's always the chance that they give you a counteroffer and try to compete with the other company. This might not happen to everyone, and it might not be what you want, but it can be useful sometimes.
– Gigi
May 19 '14 at 18:12

@Gigi True. That can happen. But what is the context of a counter-offer? More compensation? Better benefits? Maybe a "better" offer includes better resources & a better work environment. In general one should go with their gut in cases like this. A counter offer of strictly better pay can also be a sign of desperation. Always go for what fits your needs best.
– JakeGould
May 19 '14 at 18:21

@Gigi True. That can happen. But what is the context of a counter-offer? More compensation? Better benefits? Maybe a "better" offer includes better resources & a better work environment. In general one should go with their gut in cases like this. A counter offer of strictly better pay can also be a sign of desperation. Always go for what fits your needs best.
– JakeGould
May 19 '14 at 18:21

add a comment |