Can any employer make you sign a contract without putting a date on it and refusing to give u a copy?

Question

I joined a consultancy last month. They made me sign a contract and didn;t allow me to put a date on it, saying that it will be effective from the date i get a project to work on. Now it's been around a month and i have not got any project. And when i asked for a copy of the contract i signed, they simply refused, saying that it is not in company policy to give employeea copy of it!!!
Can i demand a copy of my contract?

Answer 1

That's a funny question. I am in real estate. I have clients all day that will grouse about signing this or that required document. I remind them that this is the process and sign or don't get your house.

I had worked for a major corporation for several years. One day they march me and my coworkers into a room and make us sign non-disclosure agreements.

They wouldn't hold up to the light of day. It is like holding a gun to someones head to get them to sign it or else. "Sign it or loose your job." Any descent attorney can get a contract like that tossed fairly easily.

The moral of my rantings is never sign anything for anyone that does not have a date on it and/or that you don't get a copy of it.

If they give you a hard time on it, then go to HR. If they won't help, then call a lawyer.

Answer 2

Actually, you have posted three questions and all of them are more theoretical than practical or fatalistic. Because you didn't mention how you will be paid, the only functional response must be an abstract one.

1. Just like any check, a contract does not necessarily require a date to be valid; however, duration is one of the two elements that dictate whether or not a contract can be oral or written. Also, the lack of performance criteria would make it difficult to establish mutual consent or a "meeting of the minds". Even if you had a copy, enforcement by either party would be difficult, at best.

2. Apparently, you have already consummated any signatory obligation by performance and the company does not see any purpose, or legal requirement, in providing a copy at this late date. While this position may be suspect, illegality would be difficult to prove.

3. After only a month, have you shown yourself valuable enough to demand anything? If you were this important, wouldn't you already have a copy of your contract? Use caution and don't let a piece of paper interfere with your paycheck. Good Luck.

Answer 3

You should never sign something and not put a date on it. And should make sure to get a copy of it at the time you sign it. At this point, I don't know if there is anything that you can do to obtain this. You can however, send a letter of resignation from this position even though it is a consultancy. This way any work that you do does not fall under this contract. Explain in details the reasons that you are resigning and send it certified so that someone HAS to sign for it and they can't say that they didn't get it.

Answer 4

you shouldn't have signed anything without putting a date that you signed and also before you made sure that you would receive a copy of it...
I would highly suspect that the company can have a legal policy of not allowing anyone that signs a contract to have a copy of what they signed... it just doesn't sound right...

Answer 5

in Australia? freedom of information act gives you the right to have any information pertaining to you....they would be obliged to give you a copy.....not sure of laws of other countries, but I m sure other countries would have similar acts to cover the rights of citizens

Answer 6

Are you sure you want to work for these clowns. Sounds like they are pretty shaddy to me. Tell them that your attorney suggested they look up the Freedom of Information Act.

Answer 7

of course. the thing is that they are used to have new employees that the least they want to do is start the relationship with a fight.