It sounds like OP had a signed employment contract.
> Thus, the contract with me has been terminated 10 days before it was supposed to take effect.
Apparently a contract that allowed no-cause termination. I'm not sure what that contract is good for exactly, but I think this is common in the USA. Whether it's legal in the UK I couldn't say.
Generally the response is to drop a few hundred on a lawyer to write them a stern letter about bad faith and failure to execute the contract. Your specific legal remedies vary so much country to country that it's hard to generalize, but I have been shocked by how quickly nonsense becomes sense when formal letters requesting negotiation and arbitration enter the scene.
A labor lawyer generally knows what regulatory remedies exist and can send the letter in a way that it gets attention outside of the HR or and Hiring managers desk.
In the UK you don't get the typical employment rights until after 2 years of employment. Most employment contracts have you on zero-notice until 6 month probation is completed.
In the first MONTH of employment either side can terminate with immediate notice
1 month - 2 years is 1 week notice
After 2 years it’s one week for every year of employment with a cap of 12 weeks
That’s notice period, after the first month of service other employee rights kick in and grounds for “instant dismissal” become ridiculously strict.
Meaning after the first month, if your performance becomes substandard or interpersonal problems arise you have to be given written notice by your employer (usually 2) and roadmap for correction agreed by all parties after which termination of position can be delivered (which includes the week(s) of notice to which you are entitled, or payment in lieu if you are asked not to come back.
Always one week notice during probation in my experience.
But the point remains that the company can terminate you with very little cause and very little notice when you've just started. So while it is a good idea to wait until at least receiving a signed contract before giving notice to your current job you'll still be at higher risk for some time.
All the contract I signed in the US ( 5 or 6 ) were « at will »
Basically a 1 pager stating the total lack of contract between you and the company.
And your salary.
Yeah it’s not like I got a string of abusive contracts.
Pay is handsome and some even have actual vacations. But god forbid any type of commitment to each other.
I can be fired at will without notice and vice versa.
> Thus, the contract with me has been terminated 10 days before it was supposed to take effect.
Apparently a contract that allowed no-cause termination. I'm not sure what that contract is good for exactly, but I think this is common in the USA. Whether it's legal in the UK I couldn't say.