Employee contracts

[ms_shorty]

I have recently abtained a new job as a collection agent for a company in Lincoln, NE. At the initial interview I was told about this employee contract. The employee is to sign saying they would work for x amount of time. At this time I still didn't have the job. At the second interview I was advised I had gotten the job and would be starting Jan 2, 2001. When I first started things were okay. I wasn't too sure about the job because I didn't know if I had the ability to call people every day and bug them about bills that they already know about. I have been on both sides of this situation now. Even though it's only been 1 month I already know I do not think I can follow through with the 1 year agreement...which I did not sign until my 2nd or 3rd day of work. And I did not receive a copy of this contract. If I had forsight that I would be questioning my continuation of employment I would have asked for one. Now I went in to request my hours be cut from 25 to 20 hrs per week because i am college student and just being stretched too thin. When I put in this request I was told I was hired for 25 hrs and that I would have to sign a letter stating that on 2-6-01 I put in this request and that if "said company" needed me to work 25 hrs I would be expected to fulfill the requirement. I was given the hour cut, but what next? How many times will I have to sign something..if say my schedual changes..which it always does from semester to semester.

My question is if I were to quit this job...only being a month into it and would be breaking my loyalty contract shall we call it...what type of consequences can this company bring against me? If any? Even though I signed this contract for a year can I terminate my employment there when I choose?

Would really like to know about this because not sure how much longer I can take all the filing of requests and signed documents and people who don't have authority thinking they do.

 

[netguy]

What can they do?

Even if you signed a contract and quit what would they do? Make you pay them? I think in todays employee friendly environment any penatly they would try to apply would be unenforceable. Sounds like you need to find a) a better type of work and b) a nicer company.

I'm no lawyer but have been a manager in corporate business and I've never heard of anyone being liable for employment contracts except and the higher executive level.

ng

 

[ms_shorty]

Thanks for the advice

I think I should have researched more before I jumped in headlong. I think the wage was overriding my instincts at the moment. Everyone told me that I couldn't do this type of work and I just kept thinking about expenses & the paycheck. Thanks alot for your input. As you can see I'm really a nervous and neive in ways person and that's why I'm afraid people can walk all over me. I'm checking on jobs just to let you know! : )

Heather