If I accept the offer by signing the offer letter can company sue me if I don't join on a later date?

Question

if I accept the employment offer by signing the offer letter can company sue me if I don't join on a later date because I have a new offer from another company

Answer 1

No, its basically the same as if you had walked out on a job you'd be in for a while. It's not very professional but its legal.  

Answer 2

Once you've commenced work then you have to legally give one week's notice to leave, so I would assume that the same would apply, i.e. if you formally accept a job offer, as long as you then pull out a week before you were due to start, then you're fine.

Realistically no company would sue you anyway even if you didn't give notice.  It's not worth the time and effort on their part.  Besides, they'd rather you didn't start at all than you started and left after a very short period, when they'd already invested time and resources in training you and getting you oriented.  But you don't want to burn bridges so it is best to give notice if possible.

Answer 3

no but it just doesnt come across as very professional