Employment contract breach- what could happen to me?

I'm the director of a local housing authority. Part of my contract states I need to supply a 60 day notice if i am to quit the job (which is kinda unreasonable but hey, i needed the job at the time). I have a potential job offer coming that is like the career of a lifetime, working as a budget analyst for the Governor's office, but I doubt they will give me 60 days from when they make a decision.

My contract expired on June 15th... the Board passed some motions authorizing amendments to the renewed contract (pay raise, some verbiage changes), but the lawyer has yet to actually write up the contract and have it signed and executed.

Hopefully the board won't hold me to the 60 days if I help them find an interim director, but if they try to, can they enforce a contract that hasn't been drafted or signed, based on the "verbal agreement" of authorizing amendments to it at a public meeting? And if so, what could they do to me (27 yrs old, no assets) if I leave sooner than 60 days?

the contract does not state a remedy for breach. It just lays out stipulations.

Caveat: I'm not an attorney.

First, I have no idea if the state in which you're working is an "at will" employment state but that will have some implications on this, I think.

Secondly, it sounds like you currently are not bound by a written employment contract. That will also have some implications, I think positive for you. You may be able to forestall executing the contract if it is finally presented to you by the lawyer before you have an offer on your job of a lifetime. Or you could counterpropose new terms (higher pay) as a means of drawing out the new contract negotiations.

Thirdly, it seems unlikely to me they would file suit over a "verbal agreement" of an extension to an expired employment contract. Essentially, what binds you to keep working in the interim? Does your existing contract have that provision?

Finally, I think you ought to be consulting with an HR attorney in the state you work. That's the only sure way to know you're not going to end up with your behind in a legal bind.

Hope it works out for you.

read your contract.

what is the remedy for a breach? It should have said it on the contract. You signed it didn't you?

I would imagine the worst they could is withhold any money they may owe you, and attempt to file a claim for expenses incurred to find a replacement. Eitherway, I would take the better offer, in the long run you will be better off.

you right now have no contract, they cant enforce anything, and if i were you i wouldnt sign anything, you are golden my friend, dont sign adamn thing

I would argue that you have been working without a contract.
The 60 day notice was in an expired contract.
The Board can pass anything they want but if they don't have any indication of your agreeing to anything, I would leave.

I have problem with civil servants not holding up their end of a contract, written or verbal. Check with the G.O. and find out what their time constraints are and let them know what your obligations are. You don't have that job, yet. When you know for sure that you'll be leaving, give the required notice with a clean conscience. Would you want someone in the Governor's Office who can't keep their word?