Letter of Intent question

[wvjules]

Do you work out details of salary, benefits, etc prior to signing a letter of intent?

For example, I have a LOI from a possible new employer. The LOI basically states that they intend to hire me and I intend to work for them if they offer the job.

Here are some exerpts from the letter

ACME Co is responding to a request for task order from the Bugs Bunny Company. One of the requirements is contingency letters be obtained from personnel proposed for the contract if they are not current employees.

As we discussed it is our desire to include your name in our offer to Bugs Bunny in support of the xxxxxxxx job. The purpose of this letter is to affirm our intent to offer you this position and your commitment to accept it contingent on your (i) ability to fully meet employment requirements (ii) your agreement to abide by all policies, procedures and terms and conditions of employment; (iii) ACME being awarded a contract that includes the aforementioned position; and (iv) receiving acceptance from the program manager and/or client. ACME is an equal opportunity employer. All employment is at will. Should you have any questions regarding this offer or any ACME policies, terms or conditions please contact me.

Are the employment details supposed to be hammered out prior to signing this or when the job is officially offered? I've never been actually had a LOI before so this is new to me.

 

[erincon23]

If this is something that you are expected to sign, which would mean that yes, you agree that you will accept the offer of employment if it is made, then yes, all the details should be put in writing. I would never consider signing such a letter without an agreement as to salary, benefits, vacation, etc., because I could be stuck legally accepting unacceptable terms! If this is just a notification not requiring signature, and just informing you, that's a different matter.

 

[daughtersrus]

DD had a similar letter when she was hired for a teaching position. As long as her hiring was approved by the school board, she was hired. She never signed a contract. The difference is that her job is covered under a union contract so there was no negotiating, salary, benefits...

 

[sam_gordon]

If this is something that you are expected to sign, which would mean that yes, you agree that you will accept the offer of employment if it is made, then yes, all the details should be put in writing. I would never consider signing such a letter without an agreement as to salary, benefits, vacation, etc., because I could be stuck legally accepting unacceptable terms! If this is just a notification not requiring signature, and just informing you, that's a different matter.

I agree with this. If it doesn't specifically say 'ACME will pay Bugs Bunny a salary of $xx,xxx paid in equal installments bi-weekly' (or something like that), I'd ask for a line like:

(v)acceptance by ACME and Bugs Bunny of all salary, vacation, and benefit terms.

The way I read what you quoted, if Bugs signs it, even if ACME said "we'll pay you $1/hour", Bugs is forced to accept.
BUT, I'm not lawyer, nor do I play one on TV.

 

[lovetoscrap]

I don't think I would really want to work for a Loony Tunes company like that!

DH has always made sure that everything is spelled out in the LOI. He got one that didn't contain all the information he expected and he refused to sign until they sent a new one with all the information.