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Job Transition to Consulting - legal perspective

contract transition
New answer on Jan 18, 2021
7 Answers
767 Views
Anonymous A asked on Jan 15, 2021

Hello everyone, thanks in advance!

I work for a big FMCG in an entry-level position. I recently got an offer from a consulting company (in another country), offering me to start working in June. Since June is so far away, I still didn't tell anyone at the current company about my offer (I plan on telling them 1 month before leaving, been here only 3 months).

Now I've been sent a Contract of Employment from the consulting company asking me to sign it and start working in June.

My only concern is this part of my current contract: The employee can't, without the consent of the Company and during the duration of the contract, work in additional work or be contracted to another company or with another employer (specially if a result would be unfair competition).

So am I allowed to sign the contract with the consulting company? Am I contracted to another company if I sign the contract now, even though I start working in June? How is this problem usually solved?

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Best answer
Vlad
Expert
updated an answer on Jan 15, 2021
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi,

Not legal advice, but rather observation:

1. Consulting companies check if there is a non-compete on their end before sending an offer. You should be safe on that side. Moreover, it's a different country

2. An Offer does not equal working with them or having a contract

3. I haven't seen any FMCG suing analysts. Why would they spend money and a legal budget on this?

Best

(edited)

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Ian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jan 15, 2021
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

Disclaimer: This is not legal advice

In my personal experience, that clause has meant that I cannot earn $ from another company while at my current company. Multiple times I have signed a contract with a new firm, then informed my current firm, and set a leave day prior to the start date of the other firm.

As long as you do this, you should be fine (but, check with HR of this new company)

Also, congratulations!

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Adi
Expert
Content Creator
updated an answer on Jan 15, 2021
Accenture, Deloitte | Precision Case Prep | Experienced Interviewer & Career Coach | 15 years professional experience

If you are 100% sure about the new consulting job, then you must discuss with your current manager and trigger the resignation process. Show honesty, commitment and highest professional standards. How you time the resignation is upto you.

You can accept the new offer and it will take a few weeks for them to do the background checks (if they do that) and you can resign from current company once everythign is 100% confirmed.

Accepting another offer doesnt mean you are already in active employment. The clock doesnt start until you officially start with them on the joining date.

(edited)

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Anonymous B replied on Jan 15, 2021

Not sure if asking legal advice to a bunch of ex-consultants is wise...

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Clara
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jan 15, 2021
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

TBH, here we can only give you opinions... and here perhaps you are getting into legal trouble. I would run it by a lawyer.

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

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Antonello
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jan 16, 2021
McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching

Hi,

I agree with the other coaches. Talking to a lawyer might be best for you.

Hope this helps.

Antonello

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Gaurav
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jan 18, 2021
Ex-Mckinsey|Certified Career Coach |Placed 500+ candidates at MBB & other consultancies

Hi there,

My first advice is definetely to talk it over with a lawyer and/or discuss it with your current employer.

But if I have to guess on that one - signing the contract doesn't mean you work for them. As long as your last day of work at the 1st company is 31th and the first day of work at the new company is 1st, I think you should be fine.

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

GB

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