Q: What if you've signed an acceptance letter with one paper, but a much larger paper (one you've been wanting to join) offers you a position before you start with the first paper?

Is it OK to tell the first paper you changed your mind? Could you be sued?

Thanks for all the great help!

I.M. Confused

A: A friend once told me, "just because you can do something doesn't mean you should." I have not heard of a newspaper suing someone for breach of contract in this sort of situation, but it sounds as though that's what you'd be doing. You might not get sued, but breaking a signed agreement is bound to give you a bad name with that newspaper and others that hear about it.

I wouldn't want candidates to break signed job acceptances any more than I would want newspapers to break signed offer letters.

Tough as it may be, I think you have to keep your word, tell the larger paper what is going on and plan to join the staff there later. If that's the route you go, check that letter for a clause that holds you liable for moving costs if you leave within a year or two. The fact that this newspaper went to the trouble to have you sign an agreement -- most just do it verbally -- tells me that the editors there may have had bad experiences in the past.