Mixing
Is it a bad idea to break a signed contract before working at a company in lieu of continuing at a current job with better career prospects?
Clash Royale CLAN TAG#URR8PPP
.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty margin-bottom:0;
up vote
0
down vote
favorite
So I'm a 3rd undergrad student in computer engineering and I'm currently on a summer internship which will end during the third week of august and immediately after which I will be starting at another position at a large software company with whom i had signed a contract before getting this internship. My current problem is that I was offered a 1 year contract and an opportunity to publish my research over the course of next year. In addition, I would have the opportunity to bring my research to market before moving on to other projects in the pipeline. However, accepting this offer would conflict with my contractual obligations with my other placement as I had effectively signed the contract last year during the first wave of placements. My question is that would it be a lot more damaging for my career if i broke my non-research contract and continue working here given the fact that I intend to go into academia later or is the ethical issue so great that this risk is not worth it?
internship contracts benefits canada
edited Jul 20 '15 at 23:22
Joe Strazzere
223k106656922
asked Jul 20 '15 at 23:08
Joey Bose
12
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
0
down vote
favorite
So I'm a 3rd undergrad student in computer engineering and I'm currently on a summer internship which will end during the third week of august and immediately after which I will be starting at another position at a large software company with whom i had signed a contract before getting this internship. My current problem is that I was offered a 1 year contract and an opportunity to publish my research over the course of next year. In addition, I would have the opportunity to bring my research to market before moving on to other projects in the pipeline. However, accepting this offer would conflict with my contractual obligations with my other placement as I had effectively signed the contract last year during the first wave of placements. My question is that would it be a lot more damaging for my career if i broke my non-research contract and continue working here given the fact that I intend to go into academia later or is the ethical issue so great that this risk is not worth it?
internship contracts benefits canada
edited Jul 20 '15 at 23:22
Joe Strazzere
223k106656922
asked Jul 20 '15 at 23:08
Joey Bose
12
What is your location? Also how long before your start did you sign the contract? Sounds like about 2 months ago with a start in another month?
– WindRaven
Jul 20 '15 at 23:10
Both Companies are in Toronto, Canada and i signed my first contract roughly 4 months before my current research position
– Joey Bose
Jul 20 '15 at 23:20
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
0
down vote
favorite
up vote
0
down vote
favorite
So I'm a 3rd undergrad student in computer engineering and I'm currently on a summer internship which will end during the third week of august and immediately after which I will be starting at another position at a large software company with whom i had signed a contract before getting this internship. My current problem is that I was offered a 1 year contract and an opportunity to publish my research over the course of next year. In addition, I would have the opportunity to bring my research to market before moving on to other projects in the pipeline. However, accepting this offer would conflict with my contractual obligations with my other placement as I had effectively signed the contract last year during the first wave of placements. My question is that would it be a lot more damaging for my career if i broke my non-research contract and continue working here given the fact that I intend to go into academia later or is the ethical issue so great that this risk is not worth it?
internship contracts benefits canada
edited Jul 20 '15 at 23:22
Joe Strazzere
223k106656922
asked Jul 20 '15 at 23:08
Joey Bose
12
So I'm a 3rd undergrad student in computer engineering and I'm currently on a summer internship which will end during the third week of august and immediately after which I will be starting at another position at a large software company with whom i had signed a contract before getting this internship. My current problem is that I was offered a 1 year contract and an opportunity to publish my research over the course of next year. In addition, I would have the opportunity to bring my research to market before moving on to other projects in the pipeline. However, accepting this offer would conflict with my contractual obligations with my other placement as I had effectively signed the contract last year during the first wave of placements. My question is that would it be a lot more damaging for my career if i broke my non-research contract and continue working here given the fact that I intend to go into academia later or is the ethical issue so great that this risk is not worth it?
internship contracts benefits canada
edited Jul 20 '15 at 23:22
Joe Strazzere
223k106656922
asked Jul 20 '15 at 23:08
Joey Bose
12
edited Jul 20 '15 at 23:22
Joe Strazzere
223k106656922
edited Jul 20 '15 at 23:22
Joe Strazzere
223k106656922
edited Jul 20 '15 at 23:22
Joe Strazzere
223k106656922
223k106656922
asked Jul 20 '15 at 23:08
Joey Bose
12
asked Jul 20 '15 at 23:08
Joey Bose
12
asked Jul 20 '15 at 23:08
Joey Bose
12
12
What is your location? Also how long before your start did you sign the contract? Sounds like about 2 months ago with a start in another month?
– WindRaven
Jul 20 '15 at 23:10
Both Companies are in Toronto, Canada and i signed my first contract roughly 4 months before my current research position
– Joey Bose
Jul 20 '15 at 23:20
suggest improvements |Â
What is your location? Also how long before your start did you sign the contract? Sounds like about 2 months ago with a start in another month?
– WindRaven
Jul 20 '15 at 23:10
Both Companies are in Toronto, Canada and i signed my first contract roughly 4 months before my current research position
– Joey Bose
Jul 20 '15 at 23:20
What is your location? Also how long before your start did you sign the contract? Sounds like about 2 months ago with a start in another month?
– WindRaven
Jul 20 '15 at 23:10
What is your location? Also how long before your start did you sign the contract? Sounds like about 2 months ago with a start in another month?
– WindRaven
Jul 20 '15 at 23:10
Both Companies are in Toronto, Canada and i signed my first contract roughly 4 months before my current research position
– Joey Bose
Jul 20 '15 at 23:20
Both Companies are in Toronto, Canada and i signed my first contract roughly 4 months before my current research position
– Joey Bose
Jul 20 '15 at 23:20
suggest improvements |Â
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
up vote
4
down vote
First Step
Before making this decision, consider talking to your point-of-contact at the company you signed the contract with. They may be willing to let you out of the contract. Respectfully communicating your desires upfront may make this a non-issue.
If that doesn't work...
If they let you out of the contract, great! If not, then you'll have to consider the potential effects:
Contractual
Find out what you're on the hook for if you break the contract. Were there signing perks you have already received and will need to return? Will you be barred from future employment at that company? Any other gotchas? Look over the contract terms carefully and seek input from a lawyer if necessary.Other
If the technology industry in your area is anything like the area I live in, a lot of people from different companies know (and have worked with) each other. There is a chance that future potential employers may find out about the broken contract while researching you as a candidate. If it does, it would certainly reflect poorly on you. However, if you don't follow through with the contract, then the company won't be on your resume, so potential future employers would likely have to have a personal connection with the company to even know what happened. Also, the negativity may be offset by the shiny publication you get to brag about.
Conclusion
Without knowing the terms of the contract, it's hard to say if you should or not. I tend to take a conservative approach to these kinds of things, so I would say breaking the contract is not worth it, but a reasonable person may come to the opposite conclusion. You'll have to balance the potential negative consequences with the possible upsides of research and publication opportunities and decide for yourself.
answered Jul 21 '15 at 3:45
skrrgwasme
1,567623
2
Considering that I wouldn't want to employ someone who doesn't want to work at the company, chances that they let you out of the contract are quite good if it is a reasonable company. The earlier you tell them, the better, since it makes it a lot easier to find someone else in time to fill the positiion. Telling them about the reasons might help - if the person responsible thinks "I would want to stay with the other job under these circumstances" that should help. If the company is unreasonable, which happens, you are in trouble.
– gnasher729
Jul 24 '15 at 17:35
suggest improvements |Â
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
4
down vote
First Step
Before making this decision, consider talking to your point-of-contact at the company you signed the contract with. They may be willing to let you out of the contract. Respectfully communicating your desires upfront may make this a non-issue.
If that doesn't work...
If they let you out of the contract, great! If not, then you'll have to consider the potential effects:
Contractual
Find out what you're on the hook for if you break the contract. Were there signing perks you have already received and will need to return? Will you be barred from future employment at that company? Any other gotchas? Look over the contract terms carefully and seek input from a lawyer if necessary.Other
If the technology industry in your area is anything like the area I live in, a lot of people from different companies know (and have worked with) each other. There is a chance that future potential employers may find out about the broken contract while researching you as a candidate. If it does, it would certainly reflect poorly on you. However, if you don't follow through with the contract, then the company won't be on your resume, so potential future employers would likely have to have a personal connection with the company to even know what happened. Also, the negativity may be offset by the shiny publication you get to brag about.
Conclusion
Without knowing the terms of the contract, it's hard to say if you should or not. I tend to take a conservative approach to these kinds of things, so I would say breaking the contract is not worth it, but a reasonable person may come to the opposite conclusion. You'll have to balance the potential negative consequences with the possible upsides of research and publication opportunities and decide for yourself.
answered Jul 21 '15 at 3:45
skrrgwasme
1,567623
2
Considering that I wouldn't want to employ someone who doesn't want to work at the company, chances that they let you out of the contract are quite good if it is a reasonable company. The earlier you tell them, the better, since it makes it a lot easier to find someone else in time to fill the positiion. Telling them about the reasons might help - if the person responsible thinks "I would want to stay with the other job under these circumstances" that should help. If the company is unreasonable, which happens, you are in trouble.
– gnasher729
Jul 24 '15 at 17:35
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
4
down vote
First Step
Before making this decision, consider talking to your point-of-contact at the company you signed the contract with. They may be willing to let you out of the contract. Respectfully communicating your desires upfront may make this a non-issue.
If that doesn't work...
If they let you out of the contract, great! If not, then you'll have to consider the potential effects:
Contractual
Find out what you're on the hook for if you break the contract. Were there signing perks you have already received and will need to return? Will you be barred from future employment at that company? Any other gotchas? Look over the contract terms carefully and seek input from a lawyer if necessary.Other
If the technology industry in your area is anything like the area I live in, a lot of people from different companies know (and have worked with) each other. There is a chance that future potential employers may find out about the broken contract while researching you as a candidate. If it does, it would certainly reflect poorly on you. However, if you don't follow through with the contract, then the company won't be on your resume, so potential future employers would likely have to have a personal connection with the company to even know what happened. Also, the negativity may be offset by the shiny publication you get to brag about.
Conclusion
Without knowing the terms of the contract, it's hard to say if you should or not. I tend to take a conservative approach to these kinds of things, so I would say breaking the contract is not worth it, but a reasonable person may come to the opposite conclusion. You'll have to balance the potential negative consequences with the possible upsides of research and publication opportunities and decide for yourself.
answered Jul 21 '15 at 3:45
skrrgwasme
1,567623
2
Considering that I wouldn't want to employ someone who doesn't want to work at the company, chances that they let you out of the contract are quite good if it is a reasonable company. The earlier you tell them, the better, since it makes it a lot easier to find someone else in time to fill the positiion. Telling them about the reasons might help - if the person responsible thinks "I would want to stay with the other job under these circumstances" that should help. If the company is unreasonable, which happens, you are in trouble.
– gnasher729
Jul 24 '15 at 17:35
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
4
down vote
up vote
4
down vote
First Step
Before making this decision, consider talking to your point-of-contact at the company you signed the contract with. They may be willing to let you out of the contract. Respectfully communicating your desires upfront may make this a non-issue.
If that doesn't work...
If they let you out of the contract, great! If not, then you'll have to consider the potential effects:
Contractual
Find out what you're on the hook for if you break the contract. Were there signing perks you have already received and will need to return? Will you be barred from future employment at that company? Any other gotchas? Look over the contract terms carefully and seek input from a lawyer if necessary.Other
If the technology industry in your area is anything like the area I live in, a lot of people from different companies know (and have worked with) each other. There is a chance that future potential employers may find out about the broken contract while researching you as a candidate. If it does, it would certainly reflect poorly on you. However, if you don't follow through with the contract, then the company won't be on your resume, so potential future employers would likely have to have a personal connection with the company to even know what happened. Also, the negativity may be offset by the shiny publication you get to brag about.
Conclusion
Without knowing the terms of the contract, it's hard to say if you should or not. I tend to take a conservative approach to these kinds of things, so I would say breaking the contract is not worth it, but a reasonable person may come to the opposite conclusion. You'll have to balance the potential negative consequences with the possible upsides of research and publication opportunities and decide for yourself.
answered Jul 21 '15 at 3:45
skrrgwasme
1,567623
First Step
Before making this decision, consider talking to your point-of-contact at the company you signed the contract with. They may be willing to let you out of the contract. Respectfully communicating your desires upfront may make this a non-issue.
If that doesn't work...
If they let you out of the contract, great! If not, then you'll have to consider the potential effects:
Contractual
Find out what you're on the hook for if you break the contract. Were there signing perks you have already received and will need to return? Will you be barred from future employment at that company? Any other gotchas? Look over the contract terms carefully and seek input from a lawyer if necessary.Other
If the technology industry in your area is anything like the area I live in, a lot of people from different companies know (and have worked with) each other. There is a chance that future potential employers may find out about the broken contract while researching you as a candidate. If it does, it would certainly reflect poorly on you. However, if you don't follow through with the contract, then the company won't be on your resume, so potential future employers would likely have to have a personal connection with the company to even know what happened. Also, the negativity may be offset by the shiny publication you get to brag about.
Conclusion
Without knowing the terms of the contract, it's hard to say if you should or not. I tend to take a conservative approach to these kinds of things, so I would say breaking the contract is not worth it, but a reasonable person may come to the opposite conclusion. You'll have to balance the potential negative consequences with the possible upsides of research and publication opportunities and decide for yourself.
answered Jul 21 '15 at 3:45
skrrgwasme
1,567623
edited Jul 21 '15 at 13:15
answered Jul 21 '15 at 3:45
skrrgwasme
1,567623
answered Jul 21 '15 at 3:45
skrrgwasme
1,567623
answered Jul 21 '15 at 3:45
skrrgwasme
1,567623
1,567623
2
Considering that I wouldn't want to employ someone who doesn't want to work at the company, chances that they let you out of the contract are quite good if it is a reasonable company. The earlier you tell them, the better, since it makes it a lot easier to find someone else in time to fill the positiion. Telling them about the reasons might help - if the person responsible thinks "I would want to stay with the other job under these circumstances" that should help. If the company is unreasonable, which happens, you are in trouble.
– gnasher729
Jul 24 '15 at 17:35
suggest improvements |Â
2
Considering that I wouldn't want to employ someone who doesn't want to work at the company, chances that they let you out of the contract are quite good if it is a reasonable company. The earlier you tell them, the better, since it makes it a lot easier to find someone else in time to fill the positiion. Telling them about the reasons might help - if the person responsible thinks "I would want to stay with the other job under these circumstances" that should help. If the company is unreasonable, which happens, you are in trouble.
– gnasher729
Jul 24 '15 at 17:35
2
2
Considering that I wouldn't want to employ someone who doesn't want to work at the company, chances that they let you out of the contract are quite good if it is a reasonable company. The earlier you tell them, the better, since it makes it a lot easier to find someone else in time to fill the positiion. Telling them about the reasons might help - if the person responsible thinks "I would want to stay with the other job under these circumstances" that should help. If the company is unreasonable, which happens, you are in trouble.
– gnasher729
Jul 24 '15 at 17:35
Considering that I wouldn't want to employ someone who doesn't want to work at the company, chances that they let you out of the contract are quite good if it is a reasonable company. The earlier you tell them, the better, since it makes it a lot easier to find someone else in time to fill the positiion. Telling them about the reasons might help - if the person responsible thinks "I would want to stay with the other job under these circumstances" that should help. If the company is unreasonable, which happens, you are in trouble.
– gnasher729
Jul 24 '15 at 17:35
suggest improvements |Â
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
StackExchange.ready(
function ()
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fworkplace.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f49914%2fis-it-a-bad-idea-to-break-a-signed-contract-before-working-at-a-company-in-lieu%23new-answer', 'question_page');
);
Post as a guest
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
What is your location? Also how long before your start did you sign the contract? Sounds like about 2 months ago with a start in another month?
– WindRaven
Jul 20 '15 at 23:10
Both Companies are in Toronto, Canada and i signed my first contract roughly 4 months before my current research position
– Joey Bose
Jul 20 '15 at 23:20