Acceptable period of time to take up new position - public sector

[Leavethemlaughing]

How long is reasonable as notice before starting a new job?

I don't actually have a job offer yet but there is a chance that they will factor this before making an offer so I want to be prepared.

I was asked by the same recruitment team if I was planning to request part time or flexible hours - the job was advertised as being suitable. I feel it was a factor in their assessment despite that it should be a competence/scores process.

It depends on how long you have been there. I'd look at your internet or contract to find out the exact time needed.

If you are in the LGPS and your new job offers it, then make sure that your last day of employment is the day before your new job starts for continuous service benefits, even if that means that you "leave" on a Sunday.

Its less about the notice I have to give current employers and more about how long an employer will wait for me to take up post. I'd have practical arrangements I'd need to put in place before I could start.

I think you need to talk with them about what their expectations are. I’m in Higher Ed but I’ve requested 3 months before taking up a post before, which was perfectly agreeable. In a different position with more high pressure deadlines, that might not have been possible.

Thanks. I think the tricky thing will be that I think they'll want to know before they offer me the role. Im not sure I have much leverage, room for discussion. Its not a senior role so would be easily filled.

It's moving to full time and I need to get the childcare in place.

I think they should allow up to three months after an interview, as people can be on three months’ notice. But some employers may not want to leave it that long...

It depends how badly they need someone. If it’s a cafe and you’re replacing the head chef who quit last week they’re going to need you yesterday. If it’s a retail position where they’ve been thinking they could use another salesperson there may be more flexibility. But it also depends on the culture of the industry and the employer so it’s hard to tell without knowing the job. In any event, however, I don’t think it will damage your chances to be frank but professional with them about your situation (since they have asked — obvsly wouldn’t mention it I’d tbeh hadn’t.) “As you know I would like to shift to full time work, so in that respect as well as others I would be a great fit for this position. Since I have been working part-time until now I would need a bit of time to make personal arrangements so that I can be available full time with no other obligations. Would four weeks [or whatever you realistically need] prevent me from being considered for the job?”

It can depend if it is a large scale recruitment. All the successful candidates will need to start on the same day. But if you can't make that start date we'd offer to keep you on our waiting list for the next intake.

We also ask what working pattern people are looking for as this helps candidates know whether the job is for them- there are certain patterns we can't accommodate and it is far better that people know that up front so they an decide if they want to carry on. Even though we used to list the available part time hours we'd still get people going through the whole process and being disappointed at the end when we couldn't give them the hours they were looking for. These conversations are strictly with the recruitment team and are never shared with sifters or interviewers.

It's a civil service job, not a large scale recruitment. It's not clear whether they are actually making an offer. My working hours, childcare etc were discussed at interview... apparently not part of their decision of course but if course clearly was important to them.

Odd that you were asked about childcare at interview.

IMO three months would be too long and likely to reduce the chances of being offered a job. In your situation I’d say I had to give my current employer one month’s notice and would be available after that.

If offered a role and getting childcare proves difficult, you could then ask for more time. Their could potentially be delays their end anyway.

There

It wasn't directly asked. They asked at the end if I'd be wanting to ask for flexible hours or part time and I was a bit caught out and we ended up in a rambling conversation.

I think that might be the best approach. Chances are their clearance process will take longer than the practical arrangements my end.

I've been through NHS recruitment 3 times (currently also). It's taken/ing 6 months each time. I have 8 weeks notice period in my current post. Applied jan, interview early feb. I got confirmation of my DBS last week which was the last stage before the formal unconditional job offer. Once I have the offer, I will give my notice at work. I estimate to be starting my neq job 1st July. Not an unusual time scale. No one has batted an eyelid.

Bear in mind that you will almost certainly need to get security clearance before you can start and that can take a ridiculously lomg time.

Suggest having a line ready if you’re asked again about working hours, and avoid mentioning childcare!

Some employers do discriminate, sadly. I have experienced this and now don’t mention PT or flexible work at all until after being offered a job.