Legal Question in Employment Law in New Jersey
I signed a contract saying that i will be with my employer for 12 months, i have a great offer now and it just been 8 months, can i quit?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Yes you may quit and move on to your new employer if there is nothing more to your employment agreement. But I must warn you that your agreement may contain a restrictive covenant, a.k.a. non-compete clause that may hamper your ability to work for a competing company.
If your contract says that you will work for a minimum of 12 months, you will breach the contract if you leave earlier without the agreement of the employer. As with any other contract, you will then be subject to liabiltiy for damages. That could mean many things depending on what you do, what the contract says, and what the employer may have paid in order to facilitate your employment. For example, if the employer paid moving expenses, you may be liable to reimburse a portion of those expenses if you leave early. Also, check the contract to ensure that there are no post-employment restrictions. These are frequently enforceable. If you have further questions, you should consult with a lawyer who can review your contract for specific terms.
See also: http://info.corbettlaw.net/lawguru.htm