signing multiple contracts?

[docsri]

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I always thought this was illegal to sign contracts in multiple places. And that "the match" made sure this didnt happen, but recently someone told me that it happens quite a lot.

Does anyone know if this is true?

 

[docsri]

Bump,...Anyone want to answer? Dr. Cox?

 

[NotAProgDirector]

If you match, then you can only sign the contract of your match. To do otherwise is a match violation. You can't go to jail for this, nor be sued for $$$ -- if you were to do it, you'd be barred from the match for some period of time. You may not care about this (i.e. if you have no interest in a fellowship), but the program that signed you could also be found to be a match violator, and they could be barred from the match.

If you didn't match, then you can do anything you want. You can sign 5 contracts. If you sign a contract and don't show up, there really is nothing a program can do. Heaven help you if you try to get a job at that institution in the future and they remember you, though.

The best ethical thing to do is this: if you sign a contract outside the match and then get a better offer, take the better offer and notify your first program that you are no longer interested. I don't see any benefit to keeping multiple active contracts.

 

[docsri]

TY! I understand now.

 

[DOgator]

If you sign a contract and don't show up, there really is nothing a program can do. Heaven help you if you try to get a job at that institution in the future and they remember you, though.

The best ethical thing to do is this: if you sign a contract outside the match and then get a better offer, take the better offer and notify your first program that you are no longer interested. I don't see any benefit to keeping multiple active contracts.

Is that really true that the program can not do anything to you if you don't show up?

 

[Winged Scapula]

Is that really true that the program can not do anything to you if you don't show up?

Its just a job contract, not indentured servitude. Unless you promised to give up your firstborn child if you don't show, they can't do anything except as above..."blackball" you from the institution.

But rather than just not show up, how about telling them in advance? Its sort of the mature and professional thing to do.

 

[DadofDr2B]

If you sign a contract you are bound legally to the contract as any other contract. The institution could sue you for breach of contract and ask for damages resulting from you breaking the contract and could ask for specific performance that would require you to report to them and work. Lastly, they could sue the other institution if this institution knew you were violating the contract. How intent the injured party is on enforcing the contract is the issue. This would have nothing to do with the matching process but just the legal rights of the parties involved.

Breaking contracts should be thought out carefully.

 

[deleted109597]

Yes, it is a contract, but the money they require to chase you down for breach is much more than it costs them to just ignore it. Plus, if you don't want to be there, they rarely want to force you to be there.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Yes, it is a contract, but the money they require to chase you down for breach is much more than it costs them to just ignore it. Plus, if you don't want to be there, they rarely want to force you to be there.

This was my intent above...yes, legally the program COULD sue you for breach but history has it that residency programs do not do so because of the time and effort involved as well as occasionally some belief that its better to let someone go who isn't interested in staying.

Contract law may be better left to lawyers rather than doctors but doctors seem to better understand common practice in their fields than the attorneys.