Legal repercussions of quitting a contract job with no set end date

by Dan
(Vancouver, BC, CANADA)

I am considering a contract job as an Assistant in Real Estate in Canada that lasts until all units of the project's housing complex are sold (i.e. there is no set end date for the contract). Since it is a temporary job expected to last 6+ months, I am actively considering subsequent positions. If an opportunity comes along that starts before all units are sold (before my contract position is over), am I legally bound to stay until all the units are sold, or can I leave after giving sufficient notice? I feel uncomfortable asking the employer about their policy on leaving because it might jeopardize my chances of being hired.

Thanks so much!

Dan

Response from Carl: Thanks for the question, Dan. I'd suggest asking the question about a notice period and getting it in writing just so you know the answer. If they get angry at you for bringing the notice period up, it may just tell you that this was not really a job (or an employer) you wanted to get tied to in the first place since you seem to be thinking about finding a more permanent job even as you're thinking about taking this temporary one.

If you're being hired for a period of 6+ months and there isn't an exact end date in mind, it does leave you with a bit of uncertainty which doesn't help you. Imagine if a better job came along in the meantime that you'd need to start right away and you couldn't get out of the real estate contract early!

Typically, 2-3 weeks notice are usually given in fulltime or contract jobs. Sometimes the notice period might be longer for more senior positions but 2 weeks is fairly standard, 3 weeks less so in my experience. I think it's to your advantage to get a notice period in writing especially since you are already looking at more permanent roles.

Carl