Can you backout of a signed employment contract before you actually start the job?
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Can you backout of a signed employment contract before you actually start the job?
Spouse signed a 3 yr employment contract 1 month back. Job starts 2 months from now. She just learnt of a much better opportunity. It has an ideal location and more salary. Any civilized and legal way to back out of the existing contract ?
Asked on June 1, 2009 under Employment Labor Law, Massachusetts
Answers:
B. B., Member, New Jersey Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 15 years ago | Contributor
You'd have to have an employment lawyer review the signed contract, and the rest of the facts, for advice your spouse could rely upon. It might not even be a local attorney; you should look in the contract, toward the end, there may be a provision about "governing law" or similar, which says which state's law governs its interpretation.
There's always a civilized way to ask about getting out of the contract, but it has to be done very carefully or it can be deemed a breach of the contract. Please, have your spouse let her lawyer do the talking!
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