1–10 of 27 posts
Now I would like to go with company Y, but I already accepted the offer from Company X (I did not sign anything, I accepted it via email).
Is it legal to decline the offer from company X after accepting it? Do I risk anything?
In my younger days, I would have flatly advised against it for mostly karmic reasons, but having seen the general tenor of business relationships and how many companies treat not-yet-signed employees, I am unable to muster any moral outrage against an employee who terminates a negotiation despite that negotiation appearing to be in late stages.
You could simply go back and say something like:
"Hi Company X, as I am sure you realize I applied to multiple openings when looking to take my next position. And while I have been waiting to receive the contract from you I was contacted by another firm that showed interest and already received the contract from them. I greatly respect your time and efforts, but I feel this other offer is a better fit at this time for me. This has no reflection on your firm or offer, but I feel I might be a better fit with them, and I hope you understand. I hope we can work together in the future, thank you for all your hospitality"
I do think you have to be 100% up front about what you are doing, but companies get it, and this is a competitive market. You may burn a bridge here though at least with this company, so just be aware of that. In the end though, if you make it more about yourself and are up front, you likely won't create any major issues.
Just my 2 cents.
Totally legal. Your main risk is social opprobrium. There exists a social norm that you not do this, and it may be considered unprofessional behavior by the people attempting to hire you. People do talk, so I'd weigh the possibility of burning those bridges over the relative certainty in the differences between offer Y and offer X. In my younger days, I would have flatly advised against it for mostly karmic reasons,…
But I wouldn't make a habit of declining offers after accepting. The US tech community is smaller than you think and you wouldn't want get a reputation of not being true to your word.
If it is just a better offer in terms of money or shares, you can tell company X the details of company Y's deal. Company X might not be aware of current going rate and may be willing to match company Y's offer.
Totally legal. Your main risk is social opprobrium. There exists a social norm that you not do this, and it may be considered unprofessional behavior by the people attempting to hire you. People do talk, so I'd weigh the possibility of burning those bridges over the relative certainty in the differences between offer Y and offer X. In my younger days, I would have flatly advised against it for mostly karmic reasons,…
My younger self would have said the same thing, that you have a moral obligation once you make a commitment. But having been around quite a while now, I have seen companies retract offers between when it was accepted and when the person was supposed to start, because they "changed their mind", or had a change in circumstances. So I take the opinion now that as long as you are up front and honest it is just a business…
I've also seen companies hire people and then turn around and fire them after a couple of weeks because they "weren't working out" or because "the funding for the job disappeared" or because they had layoffs due to financial difficulties (which they probably could have seen coming at the time they hired the person).
"At-will" employment goes both ways. If the company has the right to fire an employee because it's convenient for them (or just because they feel like it), an employee shouldn't feel bad about firing a company for the same reason.
If it truly is a better job and you are clear and honest with company X they will be disappointed but shouldn't begrudge you for taking the other offer. But I wouldn't make a habit of declining offers after accepting. The US tech community is smaller than you think and you wouldn't want get a reputation of not being true to your word. If it is just a better offer in terms of money or shares, you can tell company X th…
If you're certain it's the best opportunity, do not hesitate to take offer Y.
However, also, be honest with company X about what happened. You don't owe them a huge explanation, these things happen all the time. Simply let them know that while waiting for the contract, you received a better offer and have decided to take it. Company X may even upgrade their offer to you as a counter.
Totally legal. Your main risk is social opprobrium. There exists a social norm that you not do this, and it may be considered unprofessional behavior by the people attempting to hire you. People do talk, so I'd weigh the possibility of burning those bridges over the relative certainty in the differences between offer Y and offer X. In my younger days, I would have flatly advised against it for mostly karmic reasons,…
And if you do withdraw your offer to company x, don't complain if company y withdraws its offer to you.
If you stick with company x then show them the job offer from company y at your next salary review. It is great leverage in negotiating a higher salary.