Reasonable time to consider employment contract.

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Paul1977

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#210434 27-Mar-2017 12:56

After being offered employment, what is the general amount of time you can expect to be allowed to review the contract and seek independent advice before signing?

Is there a legal minimum time they need to allow you?

dafman

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#1748660 27-Mar-2017 12:59

Not sure about legal minimums, but I reckon about 3 days should be sufficient for review, longer if both parties are negotiating changes.

andrewNZ

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#1748661 27-Mar-2017 13:02

I'd have thought a day or two. Longer if it's a complex contract that requires a lawyer to look over.

The key is probably communication, if you want or need longer talk to the employer about it.

Linux

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#1748665 27-Mar-2017 13:09

3 days is reasonable

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Paul1977

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#1748668 27-Mar-2017 13:14

Thanks guys.

So it sounds like it would be reasonable to look it over for 2 or 3 days before going back to negotiate any changes?

dafman

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#1748699 27-Mar-2017 13:52

Paul1977:

Thanks guys.

So it sounds like it would be reasonable to look it over for 2 or 3 days before going back to negotiate any changes?

Yes, but I'd suggest you communicate your intended timing with your prospective employer at the outset when you pick up the contract.

BTR

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#1748727 27-Mar-2017 14:45

I'd suggest 2-3 days but communicating concerns / changes sooner rather than later that way you still have time to make your mind up 100% while the employer considers your concerns.

Inphinity

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#1748731 27-Mar-2017 14:52

It may also depend on any such validity terms in the offer. For example, I generally clearly provide a time period in which the offer is valid - typically 5 working days - with a statement that lack of confirmation by this time will be taken as rejection of the offer. E.g. "If you wish to accept this offer of employment, please provide confirmation of your acceptance by <some date ~5 days from now>. If I have not heard from you by that date, this offer will be automatically withdrawn." Failing any such statement, communication is key, but I agree with the above posters that about 3 days would be fair. Let the employer know - "I'll get back to you by the end of the week" or similar at least so they're a) not sitting wondering, and b) not having to chase you up, c) don't imagine you've lost interest and they offer it to someone else because you waited 2 weeks to decide ;)

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Paul1977

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#1748732 27-Mar-2017 14:55

All good replies, thanks everyone.

Asking on behalf of my partner. Without going into specifics of what is a bit of an atypical situation, it seemed like she was being unduly pressured.

EDIT: Typo.

MikeB4

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#1748812 27-Mar-2017 16:34

I always advised in the of offer I would send 10 working days, this could be extended if there were changes to be made or time required to consult an advisor.

dafman

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#1748916 27-Mar-2017 19:21

MikeB4:

I always advised in the of offer I would send 10 working days, this could be extended if there were changes to be made or time required to consult an advisor.

10 working days is a long time, but good on you as an employer for doing so.

One of the reasons that employers limit the time to review is that they want to keep the next best candidate as an option if, for whatever reason, the contract is not executed.

dejadeadnz

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#1748965 27-Mar-2017 20:43

For my current job, where work threw an unbelievable package at me and obviously knew that I am a lawyer, they gave me five days. And I got back to them within two. For the kind of roles that I would hire, where the minimum entry requirement is a professional degree and where the individuals concerned almost always will be capable of reading the contract (as an expert) for themselves, I will give no more than 5 days. However, I consider this to be the absolute minimum and won't ever go lower, nor am I aware of any reputable corporate that would.

Rickles

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#1749066 27-Mar-2017 22:22

According to my wife (an HR expert) the Employment Agreements Act provides for a minimum 5 days to consider such .... of course if one feels satisfied with the terms and conditions one could sign there and then.

Rickles

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#1749092 27-Mar-2017 22:57

Update: Apparently it is the Employment Relations Act, which only says 'reasonable time'.

However, there may be a precedent from the Employment Court that says 5 days ... will try and find.

Athlonite

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#1749095 27-Mar-2017 23:10

Anywhere between 3~5 days should be long enough for you read and reread the contract and seek legal advice should you require it any employer wanting you sign there and then is probably trying to hide something detrimental to you