First job change, is this contract situation normal?
Posted by combing_town_west@reddit | ExperiencedDevs | View on Reddit | 21 comments
Hey everyone,
I’m based in Europe and currently in the middle of switching jobs, first time doing this so I might be overthinking things a bit.
I got a really good offer from a very small company, and a few days later they sent me a contract. I filled in all my details like ID number, address, tax number, social security number, basically everything you’d normally need. I also signed an NDA.
What’s making me a bit unsure is that the contract didn’t have a start date filled in, and it wasn’t actually signed by them either since it was just a PDF. At first I didn’t think much of it, but since I still have more than a month before I can start because of my notice period, I started wondering if this is normal or actually valid.
So I emailed the CEO and asked about it, like whether the contract is valid, why the start date is empty, and what the deal is with the signature.
He replied in a really reassuring way. He said the contract is fully valid, they already consider me part of the team, and that since I accepted the offer and filled in the contract, the signature is basically just a formality. He also said that if I happen to be near the office during my notice period, we can sign it in person, but I shouldn’t travel there just for that. The start date was left blank because I couldn’t confirm if I could leave my current job earlier.
So now I’m not sure what to do. Should I just leave it as it is, or try to arrange a time and go sign it anyway? For context, I’ve now confirmed I won’t be able to leave earlier than my notice period.
Part of me is worried they could still withdraw the contract or anything before I start or something like that, but I also don’t want to come across as annoying by pushing this too much.
Am I overthinking this, or is this something I should take more seriously?
Leading_Yoghurt_5323@reddit
this isn’t ideal tbh… until both sides sign and a start date is fixed, it’s not fully locked in. even if they’re genuine, you should get a finalized version.
combing_town_west@reddit (OP)
sure thing. should i just call the CEO Monday morning, and schedule a personal meeting where we sign, etc.? wouldn't it come across as needy?
Izacus@reddit
You didn't write your juristiction so it's impossible for Reddit randoms to say.
But in most EU countries a verbal contract is a valid contract and you have it in writing that start date is what they say it is.
Joppest@reddit
Contract means nothing until both parties have signed. Confirm when you are able to start and ask for a signed contract with that date before giving notice. Should be easy for them to provide.
combing_town_west@reddit (OP)
I have already resigned from my job because I had to start my notice period so I could give the new job a start date. But they wanted me to start sooner thats why they left the start date field blank.
Joppest@reddit
Then just go there soon and get everything signed to ease your worries. Learn from this for the future.
combing_town_west@reddit (OP)
Yeah you are right. There are probably no issues and they want me 100% but my mind playing tricks with me.
So should I just text the CEO or call him and ask if hes available on Tuesday or Wednesday for a quick meet where we can sign and fill the start date?
dystopiadattopia@reddit
Stop calling the CEO! Answering routine administrative questions from low level employees is the kind of thing that will quickly annoy them, and you don't want to start a new job that way.
Call HR instead and ask them for a copy of your signed contract.
Act professionally, not like a nervous newbie (even if you are actually nervous).
combing_town_west@reddit (OP)
There is no HR, its a very small startup.
dystopiadattopia@reddit
Then call somebody else besides the CEO if you possibly can. Like their assistant. Somebody must be managing this stuff.
Better yet, email.
combing_town_west@reddit (OP)
I asked the CEO if calling or emailing him is his preferred choice and he said it doesn’t matter. So I might just send him an email to arrange a day to meet and sign everything. Do you think thats a good idea? Or would I be annoying?
Joppest@reddit
Yes, do that!
Which-World-6533@reddit
You should contact whoever you were dealing with first thing on Monday morning to get a signed contract with a start date.
Which-World-6533@reddit
They should have filled in the start date.
Never leave a job until the next job has a signed contract with a start date.
fabrice404@reddit
Ask if they can rewrite the contract with "no later than" start date.
combing_town_west@reddit (OP)
I should’ve asked my questions before sending back the contract because they said I should ask anything freely…
dystopiadattopia@reddit
I can't tell whether you gave your notice or not, but you should hold off until you have a contract with a start date and signed by BOTH parties.
Ask them to send you a copy once they sign it for your records. If you have to, hint that you can't give notice until you have a signed contract with a start date. Rule #1 of job switching is that you NEVER give notice until you have an ironclad (i.e. signed) offer letter or contract with your salary and start date.
But for now play it cool and ask for a copy of the signed contract without seeming as anxious and high-maintenace as you might seem already.
And if they won't send you a signed copy of the contract, then don't give notice at your current job, because that kind of behavior is a sign of a toxic workplace.
Good luck.
combing_town_west@reddit (OP)
I might seem already? Mate, all I did was emailing the CEO asking about important stuff.
engineered_academic@reddit
You should contact a lawyer to validate anything you believe is a contract. Laws matter and change by jurisdiction. Never trust an opposing party's advice.
The fact that Pandadoc/Docusign exist mean you shouldnt have to travel to sign a document. Something is fishy here IMO but you already gave notice so just go along with it.
egrick@reddit
Better get this signed. I got a German unsigned contract once and they never signed it. Never got to start there.
boring_pants@reddit
Don't know which country you're in or what the situation is there but if I have any doubts at all about my employment contract I run it by my union. They have legal people available for this kind of thing. Contact them, send them the contract and set up a meeting to go through it.