Breaking the Letter Of Commitment With Recruitment Agency

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hi All,

Need your advise on this.

I recently gotten a new job via a recruitment agency (lets call them A) and have signed the employment contract with them. I was due to start work at the end of May. Few days later, I was also asked to sign a letter of commitment, stating that if I decline the job offer at a later date or fail to commence work, I would have to pay 1 month pay as compensation.

I was skeptical of this letter as I do not wish to be bonded by such terms.

Skip to 2 weeks later, the recruiter kept sending me email/whatsapp to chase for the signed letter of commitment. Due to my stupidity, I decided to sign this letter and stop her from chasing and hounding me.

A week later, I received a better job offer from another company. I decided to take up this offer and informed A of my decision to forgo their offer as I have found a better job. This recruiter was furious and demanded that I pay 1 month compensation and used the signed letter of commitment as proof. They said it was a breach of contract and will bring legal action against me if I did not pay them. (PS. I am just a white collar worker earning ard 3k/mth only T.T)

Question:

1. Will the agency go ahead with their threats?

2. Since I am in breach of contract, do I have any chance to win? I believe this is really unethical of this agency to come out with such clauses. I plan to find a pro bono lawyer if it really goes to legal action.

3. Signed letter of commitment stated was 9-April, but I only signed on 22-April after much chasing from the recruiter. Is this backdated "contract" still valid? Can I say I signed it due to duress? (continously chasing from recruiter)

4. I called MOM and they said they cannot help as employee-employer relationship is not established, so my problem is with the agency.zzz. Any other governing bodies which can help me?

Hopeful for some advise as I do not wish to pay this 3k to the agency T.T

Hi, can I check did u pay for compensation? I just came across this and need some advice

just sharing my experience....i have gotten this experience before with recruitment agency before. They sent me email to threaten to sue me in court to recover the amount.

i continue to ignore them and there was no follow up from them.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

just sharing my experience....i have gotten this experience before with recruitment agency before. They sent me email to threaten to sue me in court to recover the amount.

i continue to ignore them and there was no follow up from them.

Thank you

This agency just want money
But they no money to sue you

Furthermore if they sue you right, then news get into public
Then nobody will use their service anymore for intimidation
Can just break no worry

Originally Posted by Unregistered

just sharing my experience....i have gotten this experience before with recruitment agency before. They sent me email to threaten to sue me in court to recover the amount.

i continue to ignore them and there was no follow up from them.

I think in order to sue, they have to proof the liquidation damages for the clause to be enforceable. If not it will be consider penalty and it's will be unenforceable. According to the Common Law. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I think in order to sue, they have to proof the liquidation damages for the clause to be enforceable. If not it will be consider penalty and it's will be unenforceable. According to the Common Law. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Lol this is why people should not give legal advice using google

Originally Posted by Unregistered

just sharing my experience....i have gotten this experience before with recruitment agency before. They sent me email to threaten to sue me in court to recover the amount.

i continue to ignore them and there was no follow up from them.

Can I know how long ago is that?

Few months ago, I breach the recruitment agency contract. I accept the job offer from agent by signing agent Letter of appointment (LOA) but have not signed at the client side. but few months later, agent send a letter to seek compensation of 1 month salary of $3k. Anyone encountered this? And what do u do to it? Any advise please? I dont want to pay the $3k.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Thank you

This agency just want money
But they no money to sue you

Furthermore if they sue you right, then news get into public
Then nobody will use their service anymore for intimidation
Can just break no worry

Hi, have you encountered the breach of contract with agency before? I just got letter from the agency for the 1 month salary for breach of contract. I ignored it but not sure will they really sue me. Can you kindly advise?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Lol this is why people should not give legal advice using google

i think he is not wrong to say that.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Can I know how long ago is that?

last year 2020