So...what are the reprecussions for breaking a contract?

Metal Head Hunter

So at the minute I'm looking for work and I have an interview tomo for a decent job and then an interview in about 2 weeks for a job in my dream company. I was just wondering if I was to get the job tomo and started on Monday and had to sign a contract that says I have to give 2 weeks notice or something like that, but then managed to get a day off to go to this other interview and managed to get that job....what would the reprecussions be if I just up and left (obviously telling them though!)? Would I just not get paid, would there be legal ramifications or anything like that? Also would the new company even know I had worked there, for instance would there be any paperwork showing that I just left one day? Not sure about any of this really!

Nody

No pay naturally, no reference or a very poor one and of course the company you apply for will ask about your previous work history.

Legal, possibily but from what you've said unlikely as it don't appear to be a high level position or a sensitive position you hold today. Your dream company would most likely have no issue with waiting two weeks how ever; that is far less then the normal (1 to 3 months) notice period.

theTinker

The company you screw over would just be pissed but powerless to do anything. More so, they'd be unwilling to do anything. They're just be pissed that they gotta do more rounds of interviews etc.

There would be no real paper work that your 'new' company would be able to see.

The company you screw will take any notice period you fail to give out of your pay. Thats usually in the contract. But if the new job is worth leaving the old job, 1-2 weeks pay probably aint that big of deal in comparison.

Obviously dont tell the new job about the old one or say something like "Well I have a choice of a career in Company X, I've to decide over the next week for them".. Makes you seem wanted, good to say before salary negotiation, and covers you incase your old company name ever came up around your name. They'd just probably assume its because you were considering them

Best of luck with either of them!

Metal Head Hunter

Oh ok well I actually have no idea how long the notice period would be, that 2 weeks thing was just a guess!See the thing is I would gladly give them the notice and just wait it out....but the job at the dream company seems to be very team based (they're hiring a number of people for a year long project) and so I'd imagine I'd have to start day as everyone else in order to get the training and all, so that probably wouldn't be an option.

Also with regards to paperwork I'd just be worried it would show up on a P45 or something similar?I haven't worked at all this year so surely the 1st company would have to give me a P45 if they pay me or anything like that? Now obviously theres a chance I may get neither of the jobs, but I'd just like to see if I could have it all sorted in my head just in case I somehow get both! And yes I'd gladly just forget about 2 weeks of pay in order to get this job, even though that my actual take home pay for those 2 weeks would cover the whole of my rent of the summer!

Magenta

One thing I'd say, is when you get your P45 from the job you're only doing short term, it will have your start and end dates on it, so maybe file it with Revenue yourself rather than giving it to your new employer. There could be other ways the new place could find out though.