The short answer is, technically, you may back out of a signed employee agreement. However, it’s much more complicated than that, and there are many factors to consider before you make your decision.
Many companies have a probationary period for their new employees. If you’re still in yours, you can quit and not be held to any penalties or repercussions. If the company doesn’t have a probationary period, then you might be locked into a contract—but some contracts are less restrictive than others. For example, sometimes they only require that you pay back training costs if you leave during your first year on the job.
However, if your contract states, for example, that you must work for the company for at least two years (and/or pay back training costs), and you quit after four months of being on the job, the company has legal grounds to sue you for violating your contract and breach of duty. In the end, the result will depend on what the contract specifies and what kind of legal action the company can take against you if they choose to do so.
Things to consider if you want to back out
If you want to back out of a signed employee agreement, the first step is to consider whether it would be legally possible. For example, are there any contingencies in your contract that would allow you to exit? Are you prepared to deal with any legal repercussions that might come from exiting the contract?
If you decide that exiting your contract is worth the risk, and there are no contingencies in your contract allowing you to do so, the next step is to write to your employer
Make sure you consider these elements in your letter to the employers
-Let them know the reasons you’re leaving – this will help the employer and possibly benefit you in future job applications
-Don’t forget to include a statement that says why your reasons are serious and “compelling”, so they aren’t considered trivial.
-It would be helpful if you included a list of any references that can vouch for your reasons for backing out of the agreement
-Ask if you’re eligible for severance pay or other benefits based on the terms of your contract with them
Finally, backing out of a signed employment agreement could carry several and unforeseeable repercussions; therefore, we highly recommend asking a lawyer who specialises in employment law before taking any action.