Rejecting a job offer for another

Amik · 12-08-2021 10:08pm #1

I've been interviewing for jobs and accepted/signed an offer letter from Company A. Today Company B, which I'm more interested in working for, sent me an offer.

Can I reject Company A's offer at this stage? Besides feeling awful about it (they even sent me onboarding materials), would I get into any legal trouble with them? I have not signed a work contract with them yet.

jmlad2020 · 12-08-2021 10:15pm

It happens from time to time. I know what I would do, and that is to tell company A IMMEDIATELY that I will have to pull out and apologize. No point leading them on.

What happens next is anyones guess. Most likely they will be sound and still have another person to chose from during the application process past.

NiceFella · 12-08-2021 10:16pm

I wouldn't say so. I worked in financial services and the amount of times I heard we had a new starter who subsequently pulled out by the date they were supposed to start to join another company. It happens all the time.

I am me123 · 12-08-2021 10:48pm

I think as long as you don't have a contract signed with Company A you can change your mind. Was in a similar situation recently myself and I had no contract signed and I changed my mind with no negative consequences.

long_b · 12-08-2021 11:13pm

You've accepted the job offer in writing though?

antix80 · 12-08-2021 11:15pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117745317#Comment_117745317

It doesn't make a difference.

Amik · 13-08-2021 12:18am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117745317#Comment_117745317

Yes. It was done remotely through Docusign and felt quite official, which led me to wonder if I could back out.

long_b · 13-08-2021 5:50am

If you really don't want the job and there's a danger you wouldn't stay in it then best to let the company know ASAP as @jmlad2020 said.

And if those on "boarding materials" include computer hardware then do organise to return them sharpish as a lot of companies are finding them hard to come by these days.

Annascaul · 15-10-2021 11:21am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058203707/rejecting-a-job-offer-for-another

The problem is no matter how much you apologise for pulling out of that offer, that particular company in question might blacklist you for future employment. I've noticed this practice quite often with various companies in North America. Whether this happens in Ireland, I don't know. Ultimately it's down to that particular company and often differs greatly to other employers.

Arghus · 20-10-2021 2:02am

I'm in a very similar position myself. I was looking for work for ages and interviewing for positions with different companies.

I accepted a job offer with one company because at the time it was the best concrete offer I had, but now my first choice has returned from nowhere with a job offer.

I haven't started yet with the first company, but I have signed the contract and they have sent me onboarding equipment - but the other job has better pay, better conditions and is more interesting.

I'm honestly pretty conflicted about it, people are reassuring me that it's a no-brainer and people do this - quiting a new job for another - all the time.

Strumms · 20-10-2021 2:13am

How was the document that you signed worded ?

the only thing I’ve ever signed for a job is an actual work contract that would include..

pay
hours / shift
benefits
position
key responsibilities

etc...

it sounds what they got you to sign was a letter of intent of sorts...

id just contact them, apologize but you have to pull out for personal reasons that were not in existence at the time of you interviewing and accepting the job... it won’t be resolved in the immediate therefore in the best interests of them and yourself you can’t accept the offer....

Whatwicklow · 20-10-2021 7:20am

You have no need to tell them your choosing a over b or any versions of that.

Simply contact them and say, on mature reflection you are going to hold out for a job that suits you better.

Thank then and do what you need to do.

Edit, spelling

Rejecting a job offer for another

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