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U.K. Employment post contract, can they do this? [closed]
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I worked for a company who employed me as a software engineer. They had a temporary contract and I completed the project, they didn't find a purpose for me so they let me go.
On my "Exit Interview" they showed a makeshift contract that basically said that in regards to the project AND other duties I am to do these free of charge (basically, forever) since I was the only one on the project and the only developer there I told them no I would not accept those conditions and they did not say anything else.
Moving down the line a few months later, the client who we did the project is having problems, obviously the client is paying them but they have contacted me and said I MUST do the work. I refused as I now have another job. Their "lawyer" is claiming that:
I do not need to have signed the contract as long as the contract was handed to me.
I am at a loss of what to do, I know this is a law question but what are the implications of just ignoring this?
contracts
edited May 9 '16 at 23:42
Kilisi
94.5k50216376
asked May 9 '16 at 20:08
Uninvited
15517
closed as off-topic by Chris E, alroc, David K, Philip Kendall, Adam V May 9 '16 at 20:35
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "Questions seeking advice on company-specific regulations, agreements, or policies should be directed to your manager or HR department. Questions that address only a specific company or position are of limited use to future visitors. Questions seeking legal advice should be directed to legal professionals. For more information, click here." – Chris E, alroc, David K, Philip Kendall, Adam V
 |Â
show 6 more comments
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
I worked for a company who employed me as a software engineer. They had a temporary contract and I completed the project, they didn't find a purpose for me so they let me go.
On my "Exit Interview" they showed a makeshift contract that basically said that in regards to the project AND other duties I am to do these free of charge (basically, forever) since I was the only one on the project and the only developer there I told them no I would not accept those conditions and they did not say anything else.
Moving down the line a few months later, the client who we did the project is having problems, obviously the client is paying them but they have contacted me and said I MUST do the work. I refused as I now have another job. Their "lawyer" is claiming that:
I do not need to have signed the contract as long as the contract was handed to me.
I am at a loss of what to do, I know this is a law question but what are the implications of just ignoring this?
contracts
edited May 9 '16 at 23:42
Kilisi
94.5k50216376
asked May 9 '16 at 20:08
Uninvited
15517
closed as off-topic by Chris E, alroc, David K, Philip Kendall, Adam V May 9 '16 at 20:35
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "Questions seeking advice on company-specific regulations, agreements, or policies should be directed to your manager or HR department. Questions that address only a specific company or position are of limited use to future visitors. Questions seeking legal advice should be directed to legal professionals. For more information, click here." – Chris E, alroc, David K, Philip Kendall, Adam V
1
Sorry, we honestly can't answer legal or company policy questions.
– Chris E
May 9 '16 at 20:11
4
@Uninvited, this site isn't really used for "hypotheticals", but if I were you, I'd be contacting a lawyer.
– New-To-IT
May 9 '16 at 20:15
3
You need to contact a lawyer. I don't expect it'll cost too much/take too much time for him to write a letter that tells them what they can do with their demand. And if it protects from costly litigation, it's money well spent.
– alroc
May 9 '16 at 20:15
2
They told you that it doesn't matter if you didn't sign (or conceivably even verbally agree) to the contract, you're still obligated to its terms? I don't know anything about UK law (and as the previous commenters said, contact a lawyer), but this is the most ridiculous thing I've heard all day.
– Kyle W
May 9 '16 at 20:27
5
The Citizens' Advice Bureau offers excellent (and free) employment law advice. I highly recommend a discussion with them. If you have a copy of that contract take it along.
– Laconic Droid
May 9 '16 at 20:53
 |Â
show 6 more comments
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
I worked for a company who employed me as a software engineer. They had a temporary contract and I completed the project, they didn't find a purpose for me so they let me go.
On my "Exit Interview" they showed a makeshift contract that basically said that in regards to the project AND other duties I am to do these free of charge (basically, forever) since I was the only one on the project and the only developer there I told them no I would not accept those conditions and they did not say anything else.
Moving down the line a few months later, the client who we did the project is having problems, obviously the client is paying them but they have contacted me and said I MUST do the work. I refused as I now have another job. Their "lawyer" is claiming that:
I do not need to have signed the contract as long as the contract was handed to me.
I am at a loss of what to do, I know this is a law question but what are the implications of just ignoring this?
contracts
edited May 9 '16 at 23:42
Kilisi
94.5k50216376
asked May 9 '16 at 20:08
Uninvited
15517
I worked for a company who employed me as a software engineer. They had a temporary contract and I completed the project, they didn't find a purpose for me so they let me go.
On my "Exit Interview" they showed a makeshift contract that basically said that in regards to the project AND other duties I am to do these free of charge (basically, forever) since I was the only one on the project and the only developer there I told them no I would not accept those conditions and they did not say anything else.
Moving down the line a few months later, the client who we did the project is having problems, obviously the client is paying them but they have contacted me and said I MUST do the work. I refused as I now have another job. Their "lawyer" is claiming that:
I do not need to have signed the contract as long as the contract was handed to me.
I am at a loss of what to do, I know this is a law question but what are the implications of just ignoring this?
contracts
edited May 9 '16 at 23:42
Kilisi
94.5k50216376
asked May 9 '16 at 20:08
Uninvited
15517
edited May 9 '16 at 23:42
Kilisi
94.5k50216376
edited May 9 '16 at 23:42
Kilisi
94.5k50216376
edited May 9 '16 at 23:42
Kilisi
94.5k50216376
94.5k50216376
asked May 9 '16 at 20:08
Uninvited
15517
asked May 9 '16 at 20:08
Uninvited
15517
asked May 9 '16 at 20:08
Uninvited
15517
15517
closed as off-topic by Chris E, alroc, David K, Philip Kendall, Adam V May 9 '16 at 20:35
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "Questions seeking advice on company-specific regulations, agreements, or policies should be directed to your manager or HR department. Questions that address only a specific company or position are of limited use to future visitors. Questions seeking legal advice should be directed to legal professionals. For more information, click here." – Chris E, alroc, David K, Philip Kendall, Adam V
closed as off-topic by Chris E, alroc, David K, Philip Kendall, Adam V May 9 '16 at 20:35
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "Questions seeking advice on company-specific regulations, agreements, or policies should be directed to your manager or HR department. Questions that address only a specific company or position are of limited use to future visitors. Questions seeking legal advice should be directed to legal professionals. For more information, click here." – Chris E, alroc, David K, Philip Kendall, Adam V
1
Sorry, we honestly can't answer legal or company policy questions.
– Chris E
May 9 '16 at 20:11
4
@Uninvited, this site isn't really used for "hypotheticals", but if I were you, I'd be contacting a lawyer.
– New-To-IT
May 9 '16 at 20:15
3
You need to contact a lawyer. I don't expect it'll cost too much/take too much time for him to write a letter that tells them what they can do with their demand. And if it protects from costly litigation, it's money well spent.
– alroc
May 9 '16 at 20:15
2
They told you that it doesn't matter if you didn't sign (or conceivably even verbally agree) to the contract, you're still obligated to its terms? I don't know anything about UK law (and as the previous commenters said, contact a lawyer), but this is the most ridiculous thing I've heard all day.
– Kyle W
May 9 '16 at 20:27
5
The Citizens' Advice Bureau offers excellent (and free) employment law advice. I highly recommend a discussion with them. If you have a copy of that contract take it along.
– Laconic Droid
May 9 '16 at 20:53
 |Â
show 6 more comments
1
Sorry, we honestly can't answer legal or company policy questions.
– Chris E
May 9 '16 at 20:11
4
@Uninvited, this site isn't really used for "hypotheticals", but if I were you, I'd be contacting a lawyer.
– New-To-IT
May 9 '16 at 20:15
3
You need to contact a lawyer. I don't expect it'll cost too much/take too much time for him to write a letter that tells them what they can do with their demand. And if it protects from costly litigation, it's money well spent.
– alroc
May 9 '16 at 20:15
2
They told you that it doesn't matter if you didn't sign (or conceivably even verbally agree) to the contract, you're still obligated to its terms? I don't know anything about UK law (and as the previous commenters said, contact a lawyer), but this is the most ridiculous thing I've heard all day.
– Kyle W
May 9 '16 at 20:27
5
The Citizens' Advice Bureau offers excellent (and free) employment law advice. I highly recommend a discussion with them. If you have a copy of that contract take it along.
– Laconic Droid
May 9 '16 at 20:53
1
1
Sorry, we honestly can't answer legal or company policy questions.
– Chris E
May 9 '16 at 20:11
Sorry, we honestly can't answer legal or company policy questions.
– Chris E
May 9 '16 at 20:11
4
4
@Uninvited, this site isn't really used for "hypotheticals", but if I were you, I'd be contacting a lawyer.
– New-To-IT
May 9 '16 at 20:15
@Uninvited, this site isn't really used for "hypotheticals", but if I were you, I'd be contacting a lawyer.
– New-To-IT
May 9 '16 at 20:15
3
3
You need to contact a lawyer. I don't expect it'll cost too much/take too much time for him to write a letter that tells them what they can do with their demand. And if it protects from costly litigation, it's money well spent.
– alroc
May 9 '16 at 20:15
You need to contact a lawyer. I don't expect it'll cost too much/take too much time for him to write a letter that tells them what they can do with their demand. And if it protects from costly litigation, it's money well spent.
– alroc
May 9 '16 at 20:15
2
2
They told you that it doesn't matter if you didn't sign (or conceivably even verbally agree) to the contract, you're still obligated to its terms? I don't know anything about UK law (and as the previous commenters said, contact a lawyer), but this is the most ridiculous thing I've heard all day.
– Kyle W
May 9 '16 at 20:27
They told you that it doesn't matter if you didn't sign (or conceivably even verbally agree) to the contract, you're still obligated to its terms? I don't know anything about UK law (and as the previous commenters said, contact a lawyer), but this is the most ridiculous thing I've heard all day.
– Kyle W
May 9 '16 at 20:27
5
5
The Citizens' Advice Bureau offers excellent (and free) employment law advice. I highly recommend a discussion with them. If you have a copy of that contract take it along.
– Laconic Droid
May 9 '16 at 20:53
The Citizens' Advice Bureau offers excellent (and free) employment law advice. I highly recommend a discussion with them. If you have a copy of that contract take it along.
– Laconic Droid
May 9 '16 at 20:53
 |Â
show 6 more comments
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
up vote
6
down vote
accepted
If their "lawyer" is a "lawyer" and not a lawyer, then they are in trouble. Pretending to be a lawyer when you are not is deep trouble. With his claim that "I do not need to have signed the contract as long as the contract was handed to me. ", it seems he may be a "lawyer"
Ignoring this is never a good idea.
You might write a letter stating that you absolutely refute that you have any obligations towards them, that you especially refute that you have any obligation to do any work for them for free, that you refute that you have signed any contract that would produce such an obligation, and that they should either within 7 days respond and agree with what you stated, or to provide any reasons and / or evidence that this would be otherwise, which you will then hand over to your lawyer.
Obviously make a copy of everything, and go to your post office for recorded delivery since these jokers can obviously not be trusted.
Or you might go directly to a lawyer. But don't ignore it. Not responding and not contradicting them might be interpreted against you.
PS. Opinion on law.stackexchange.com is that if the "lawyer" pretends to be a lawyer that could in the worst case get him jail time, and if the company tries to trick you into working for free that could in the worst case be fraud and get someone jail time. Look up the question "Pretending to be a lawyer" there.
answered May 9 '16 at 20:25
gnasher729
70.7k31131222
suggest improvements |Â
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
6
down vote
accepted
If their "lawyer" is a "lawyer" and not a lawyer, then they are in trouble. Pretending to be a lawyer when you are not is deep trouble. With his claim that "I do not need to have signed the contract as long as the contract was handed to me. ", it seems he may be a "lawyer"
Ignoring this is never a good idea.
You might write a letter stating that you absolutely refute that you have any obligations towards them, that you especially refute that you have any obligation to do any work for them for free, that you refute that you have signed any contract that would produce such an obligation, and that they should either within 7 days respond and agree with what you stated, or to provide any reasons and / or evidence that this would be otherwise, which you will then hand over to your lawyer.
Obviously make a copy of everything, and go to your post office for recorded delivery since these jokers can obviously not be trusted.
Or you might go directly to a lawyer. But don't ignore it. Not responding and not contradicting them might be interpreted against you.
PS. Opinion on law.stackexchange.com is that if the "lawyer" pretends to be a lawyer that could in the worst case get him jail time, and if the company tries to trick you into working for free that could in the worst case be fraud and get someone jail time. Look up the question "Pretending to be a lawyer" there.
answered May 9 '16 at 20:25
gnasher729
70.7k31131222
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
6
down vote
accepted
If their "lawyer" is a "lawyer" and not a lawyer, then they are in trouble. Pretending to be a lawyer when you are not is deep trouble. With his claim that "I do not need to have signed the contract as long as the contract was handed to me. ", it seems he may be a "lawyer"
Ignoring this is never a good idea.
You might write a letter stating that you absolutely refute that you have any obligations towards them, that you especially refute that you have any obligation to do any work for them for free, that you refute that you have signed any contract that would produce such an obligation, and that they should either within 7 days respond and agree with what you stated, or to provide any reasons and / or evidence that this would be otherwise, which you will then hand over to your lawyer.
Obviously make a copy of everything, and go to your post office for recorded delivery since these jokers can obviously not be trusted.
Or you might go directly to a lawyer. But don't ignore it. Not responding and not contradicting them might be interpreted against you.
PS. Opinion on law.stackexchange.com is that if the "lawyer" pretends to be a lawyer that could in the worst case get him jail time, and if the company tries to trick you into working for free that could in the worst case be fraud and get someone jail time. Look up the question "Pretending to be a lawyer" there.
answered May 9 '16 at 20:25
gnasher729
70.7k31131222
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
6
down vote
accepted
up vote
6
down vote
accepted
If their "lawyer" is a "lawyer" and not a lawyer, then they are in trouble. Pretending to be a lawyer when you are not is deep trouble. With his claim that "I do not need to have signed the contract as long as the contract was handed to me. ", it seems he may be a "lawyer"
Ignoring this is never a good idea.
You might write a letter stating that you absolutely refute that you have any obligations towards them, that you especially refute that you have any obligation to do any work for them for free, that you refute that you have signed any contract that would produce such an obligation, and that they should either within 7 days respond and agree with what you stated, or to provide any reasons and / or evidence that this would be otherwise, which you will then hand over to your lawyer.
Obviously make a copy of everything, and go to your post office for recorded delivery since these jokers can obviously not be trusted.
Or you might go directly to a lawyer. But don't ignore it. Not responding and not contradicting them might be interpreted against you.
PS. Opinion on law.stackexchange.com is that if the "lawyer" pretends to be a lawyer that could in the worst case get him jail time, and if the company tries to trick you into working for free that could in the worst case be fraud and get someone jail time. Look up the question "Pretending to be a lawyer" there.
answered May 9 '16 at 20:25
gnasher729
70.7k31131222
If their "lawyer" is a "lawyer" and not a lawyer, then they are in trouble. Pretending to be a lawyer when you are not is deep trouble. With his claim that "I do not need to have signed the contract as long as the contract was handed to me. ", it seems he may be a "lawyer"
Ignoring this is never a good idea.
You might write a letter stating that you absolutely refute that you have any obligations towards them, that you especially refute that you have any obligation to do any work for them for free, that you refute that you have signed any contract that would produce such an obligation, and that they should either within 7 days respond and agree with what you stated, or to provide any reasons and / or evidence that this would be otherwise, which you will then hand over to your lawyer.
Obviously make a copy of everything, and go to your post office for recorded delivery since these jokers can obviously not be trusted.
Or you might go directly to a lawyer. But don't ignore it. Not responding and not contradicting them might be interpreted against you.
PS. Opinion on law.stackexchange.com is that if the "lawyer" pretends to be a lawyer that could in the worst case get him jail time, and if the company tries to trick you into working for free that could in the worst case be fraud and get someone jail time. Look up the question "Pretending to be a lawyer" there.
answered May 9 '16 at 20:25
gnasher729
70.7k31131222
edited May 10 '16 at 8:18
answered May 9 '16 at 20:25
gnasher729
70.7k31131222
answered May 9 '16 at 20:25
gnasher729
70.7k31131222
answered May 9 '16 at 20:25
gnasher729
70.7k31131222
70.7k31131222
suggest improvements |Â
suggest improvements |Â
1
Sorry, we honestly can't answer legal or company policy questions.
– Chris E
May 9 '16 at 20:11
4
@Uninvited, this site isn't really used for "hypotheticals", but if I were you, I'd be contacting a lawyer.
– New-To-IT
May 9 '16 at 20:15
3
You need to contact a lawyer. I don't expect it'll cost too much/take too much time for him to write a letter that tells them what they can do with their demand. And if it protects from costly litigation, it's money well spent.
– alroc
May 9 '16 at 20:15
2
They told you that it doesn't matter if you didn't sign (or conceivably even verbally agree) to the contract, you're still obligated to its terms? I don't know anything about UK law (and as the previous commenters said, contact a lawyer), but this is the most ridiculous thing I've heard all day.
– Kyle W
May 9 '16 at 20:27
5
The Citizens' Advice Bureau offers excellent (and free) employment law advice. I highly recommend a discussion with them. If you have a copy of that contract take it along.
– Laconic Droid
May 9 '16 at 20:53