Leaving a job before contract out?

me_right_one

Hi all.

If I was signed up to a job on 23 month contract, but I wanted out after 6 months, what are the legal implications of leaving? Would I have to pay back my salary earned so far or anything like that?

Thanks,
MRO

drunkmonkey

What does your contract say about termination?

I'd assume you can just walk like any job unless there's something in your contract.

me_right_one

drunkmonkey wrote: »

What does your contract say about termination?

I'd assume you can just walk like any job unless there's something in your contract.

I didnt sign up yet. I just mean in general, if a better offer came up and you quit your current contract, is there any laws protecting the employer to prevent this from happening?

Indricotherium

What about minimum notice requirements in contracts that far exceed statutory minimums? Can they be enforced?

In general could an employee be held to a notice period in a contract of employment?

How would this be enforced?

Victor

What does the contract say?

Normally courts are slow to make an employee continue their employment.

It may depend on something like if it was a contract for a specific project and continuity of knowledge is of fundamental importance - if the employee leaves early, the employer could be at a disproportionate loss. Requiring repayment of salary is unlikely, but some buy out payment may be necessary. There may be issues with training and bonuses.

Apprenticeships also have complications.

Indricotherium wrote: »

What about minimum notice requirements in contracts that far exceed statutory minimums? Can they be enforced?

In general could an employee be held to a notice period in a contract of employment?

An important test would be how reasonable the notice period is.

How would this be enforced?

Gardening leave.

Indricotherium

Victor wrote: »

Gardening leave.

My understanding of gardening leave is that it is paid leave on the condition that you do not work for a competitor etc., for the period of the contract.

If an employee wants to take up new employment on short notice, say, two weeks, and their contract stipulates 4 weeks of notice is required, is there a realistic way that an employer could try to enforce the contract of employment.

livedadream

depends on the industry and the country your in.
Arab world, it just doesnt happen.
Uk Ireland, happens all the time, take the poor reference and hope for the best.
also depends on what your contract says.

Fred Swanson

This post has been deleted.

nuac

imho its a question of reputation and references.

If you want to leave, try to do so on good terms

Indricotherium

nuac wrote: »

imho its a question of reputation and references.

If you want to leave, try to do so on good terms

So in the case of a person taking up a role they anticipate will be very long-term, there is no rea risk in giving short notice to a current employer?

Victor

Indricotherium wrote: »

So in the case of a person taking up a role they anticipate will be very long-term, there is no rea risk in giving short notice to a current employer?

Of course there are risk - probation periods and/or redundancy.

ludalyni

me_right_one wrote: »

Hi all.

If I was signed up to a job on 23 month contract, but I wanted out after 6 months, what are the legal implications of leaving? Would I have to pay back my salary earned so far or anything like that?

Thanks,
MRO

If you haven't signed up to a contract and you want to leave then all you have to do is give the statutory minimum period of notice (which is 1 week).

There would be no obligation on you to repay any salary already paid.