Employment contract not available before starting work [closed]

Question

I'm dealing with an outsourcing firm that refuses to provide a written letter of offer prior to my first day of work. To confound this problem, it's necessary for me to relocate for this position. Given the current employment market, I feel compelled to act, but it's starting to look like I should be searching for work elsewhere in advance of showing up for my first day.

It seems like this is a fairly common practice, judging from other posts. Is there any advisable action that I can take?

As a footnote, direct negotiation with the employer is always a great option, and worked in my case.

Answer 1

I would not even begin to consider moving to an employer that would not give me a signed contract first, I would not even move for an offer. If they are not willing to give you a signed contract first I would run like hell to get away from them, that is HIGH on my sketchy meter.

As a business owner I would not even consider asking someone to relocate without a signed contract.

Answer 2

Given the current employment market, I feel compelled to act...

By all means act, but act rationally. No contract == no job! Act in your own best interests - tell them you'd be happy to accept the position as soon as you have a formal offer in writing with specific relocation reimbursement/expenses, in the meantime keep looking for work with a firm that respects you and doesn't expect you to take all of the risk. If they don't want to pay relocation then do not relocate yet. Instead, ask them to put you up in a hotel for the first 2 weeks (or do it yourself, weekly efficiencies are about $150/week in some areas) and see how it goes. You may hate this job, especially if they are so disorganized or disrespectful as to not make a formal offer.

If you still feel that you absolutely must accept this job, go ahead - but don't relocate, just visit, until you're sure of their intentions - and ability to pay regularly!