Is e-mailed offer letter the same as a written one?

[karenina21]

After a month of delays and a S-L-O-W response from HR, I FINALLY got a job offer over the phone and was e-mailed the offer on the official company letterhead. It specified the job, pay, start date, etc.

 

Only thing is, I was supposed to have had the letter sent to me in writing to my home address. That was a week and a half ago, no letter. I sent an e-mail to the HR manager and left her a voice message.

 

You see, they require my signature to accept the offer. They also need me to sign paperwork authorizing a background check and drug screen.

 

Should I print out the e-mail, sign it, and send it to them? Should I draft my own letter authorizing consent for the background check and drug test?

 

Finally, is the e-mailed letter good enough as a contract so I can give notice at my present employer?

[Outcast]

Ask them. Some businesses accept email as legal documents and others don't.