Can You Back Out of an Accepted Offer Letter if It's Marked Irrevocable? Let's Discuss!

Can I deny an accepted offer letter? The offer letter states that it's irrevocable. Can an irrevocable offer be made? Also, does the offer letter have a validity clause up to a certain date? The company is a software company.

There is nothing like an "irrevocable" offer letter. Just ignore it. The employer-employee relationship begins with the acceptance of the terms and conditions mentioned in the Appointment Letter. If you have not accepted any terms and conditions, how can that company impose any relationship on you?

Ok...

Regards,
DVD

An offer needs to be accepted to become valid. If you have not accepted it, the offer is not binding on you. In this case, since a validity date is provided, if you have not accepted it by that date, the offer will become invalid.

Regards

Offer letters do have a validity date to address the flexibility factor regarding the joining of a candidate. If a company wants to provide a proper timeframe within which an employee can join the specified position, they can mention the time period after which the offer becomes invalid. It also helps organizations finalize other candidates on the waiting list if they don't receive a confirmation or acceptance of the offer within the stated timeframe.

As far as legal concerns go, I don't think that once you have accepted the offer, you are bound by the rules and regulations of that company. It is the appointment letter that binds you to the rules and regulations of the company, not the offer letter.

Seniors, please provide guidelines on this.

Regards,
Saunee

There can never be an 'irrevocable Offer'. From your query, it is clear that you have accepted the offer. Still, unless you join the company and sign the duplicate copy of the Appointment Order as a token of accepting the terms and conditions stated therein, you are not bound by the contract of appointment. Even after that, if you serve the notice period according to the terms of the Appointment Order, you cannot be stopped from leaving the services.

In the first place, why did you accept the offer, and why do you not want to honor your acceptance? Please be clear before giving your acceptance henceforth.

Regards,
Joga Rao

I think you need to clarify a few things. Do you want to refuse the offer letter, or do you want to refuse to join the company after having accepted the offer? You can "refuse to accept the offer letter"; however, if you have accepted the offer letter, "you cannot refuse to join the company at the last moment".

You can "refuse to accept the offer letter"; however, if you have accepted the offer letter, "you cannot refuse to join the company at the last moment." By accepting the offer letter and later denying it, it can be concluded as "trading of offer," which is UNETHICAL. You can do it at your own peril. In that case, the company will "blacklist you," and you will not be able to join that company or any of its associated companies or any branch of the company in the future.