Would rejecting an offer after accepting cause any legal troubles ?This is if I decline before joining them but after signing it.Thanks

Unlikely, unless you are important

Ok thanks.Let me rephrase itDo they have legal rights to take any action at all?

No an employer has no legal rights to enforce a contract after you have signed it, until you set foot on their premises or in any way act to represent them such as walk onto a client site as a representative of x company.

Mars thanks.Helpful as always :)

mars,does it also applicable to contract positions, if I accept a contract through my limited company and then reject the same before joining and rather sign and join another better contract?regds

This wont apply if you sign a contract through a limited company - you will have a liability to fulfill the contract through the company or could be pursued for the breach (although this is unlikely in any event).Hope this helps.

It does indeed, I would have thought so! thanks

And if we look at this in terms of ethics.I am basically in the same situation. Got an offer from Monitor, but awaiting final answer from A.T.Kearney. I actually had to accept the offer from Monitor because of time restrictions, but I am not sure what is better. So if for example I will decline the offer from Monitor after accepting it (and afterattending an induction training, but my official working date is in mid May) and reroll to ATKearney, wont there be bad rumours about me on the consulting market?Thanks

The ethical side of this is down to the individual Patrick - do what you feel comfortable with. If you do decide to jump from Monitor to ATK then you will need to be confident you can make a success of things at ATK. Give it 6 months and no one will remember what happened - unless you are very senior. It might also depend on your geographical location too - in a smaller market (e.g. Middle East) it is more likely to get noticed.

If I have accepted an offer and reject it before induction and starting the job, does that affect my chances of working for the firm again in the future/? (Even in other locations)

Rejecting an offer after accepting is fairly OK if you have not joined the company. Another situation, if you have signed a contract or bond then rejecting is difficult for any person.

Let's be clear on this. A contract signed means nothing until you have set foot on companu property of in some way acted to represent the company and thereby indicated you are an employee and have de facto accepted the contract.The paper you sign is an intention, the contract is actually formed by custom.You can rescind an acceptance prior to joining with no legal ramifications. Whether it affects your chances with the same firm in the future is very dependent on the firm and the individuals you deal with.