I have signed an offer on a new position. More details have come to light about the role and some future promises and I'm not sold on the deliverables. I'm also finding it challenging as a single dad to meet the commute and commitment required for the position. Lots of options are falling through.

The offer letter has the verbiage of the at-will agreement and that this is not a commitment to employment but it also states I cannot accept counter offers from employers. Should've struck that but didn't. What legal kick back could I be facing if I decide to not go through with it. I still need a job but it's not like I'm taking one over the other. Just thinking of backing out of this one.

TdoubleH said:

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I have signed an offer on a new position. More details have come to light about the role and some future promises and I'm not sold on the deliverables. I'm also finding it challenging as a single dad to meet the commute and commitment required for the position. Lots of options are falling through.

The offer letter has the verbiage of the at-will agreement and that this is not a commitment to employment but it also states I cannot accept counter offers from employers. Should've struck that but didn't. What legal kick back could I be facing if I decide to not go through with it. I still need a job but it's not like I'm taking one over the other. Just thinking of backing out of this one.

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This part is very odd to me, Ive never seen an offer with that verbiage before. Are you in Texas? That is a definite red flag.

Im not an employment lawyer but in my opinion, if you have not started work there, and you have not received a paycheck from them, then you are not considered an employee therefore the offer verbiage means nothing. Not only that, but you are backing out on working there, not accepting another offer so youre not violating their offer terms. Not only that x2, but I doubt this is legally enforceable even if you were to accept another offer, they cant hold you hostage from accepting employment elsewhere before you even start working there.

In short, eff them, turn down their offer if you want, they cant do anything about it.

I'd put money on the line that it can't hold up.

Not only are you not getting just compensation for not accepting another offer, it says it's at-will employment. Meaning that can rescind that offer letter before your start date, or terminate you on the first day and you're SOL.

I'm not for willy-nilly ****ing over an employer, but you're not bound by anything here. If it doesnt work now, it isn't going to work in the future.

TdoubleH said:

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I have signed an offer on a new position. More details have come to light about the role and some future promises and I'm not sold on the deliverables. I'm also finding it challenging as a single dad to meet the commute and commitment required for the position. Lots of options are falling through.

The offer letter has the verbiage of the at-will agreement and that this is not a commitment to employment but it also states I cannot accept counter offers from employers. Should've struck that but didn't. What legal kick back could I be facing if I decide to not go through with it. I still need a job but it's not like I'm taking one over the other. Just thinking of backing out of this one.

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Sounds like BS on their part.

Did you accept any form of compensation already? Barring that, I'd put money down that there is nothing they can do. Just trying to bully you.

Honestly, sounds like you may be dodging a bullet.

How would they even know if you accepted a position somewhere else?

Did you receive some kind of signing bonus for an agreement like that?