Acceptance by conduct is a straightforward and accepted principle of English law.
In the same way as continued use of a website can constitute acceptance of terms of use, showing up for a job having been provided with a contract, but having not signed it, can also constitute acceptance of that contract.
If you don't like contract terms, firstly don't sign up to them but secondly don't start working at a place as if you had signed up to them.
It would be difficult to argue the contract wasn't binding if you had acted in compliance with certain of its terms. The more specific those terms you are complying with, the less likely you would be able to claim you weren't bound by the whole contract.
For example if the contract states you have to travel to a particular ___location once a week, and you comply with that obligation, you would be less likely to argue you weren't bound by the whole contract.
In the same way as continued use of a website can constitute acceptance of terms of use, showing up for a job having been provided with a contract, but having not signed it, can also constitute acceptance of that contract.
If you don't like contract terms, firstly don't sign up to them but secondly don't start working at a place as if you had signed up to them.
It would be difficult to argue the contract wasn't binding if you had acted in compliance with certain of its terms. The more specific those terms you are complying with, the less likely you would be able to claim you weren't bound by the whole contract.
For example if the contract states you have to travel to a particular ___location once a week, and you comply with that obligation, you would be less likely to argue you weren't bound by the whole contract.