Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Flip

Original poster

When to hand in notice

18 replies

WindFlower92 · 08/04/2021 19:51

Reposted just for traffic here, already posted in legal!

Not for me but DH. He's just got an email offering him a job that he interviewed for today. They want him to start on 4th May, which would mean giving in notice at his current job immediately, however they've said they'll get the contract through to him in 'a couple of weeks'. Is the email enough confirmation to safely be able to hand his notice in, or should he wait for the contract? And does this mean he would not be able to start on 4th May as he needs to give a month's notice? He thinks everything will be fine but I'm due our second baby in a month and don't want him to lose both jobs right now!

OP posts:

Motnight · 08/04/2021 19:57

Has he had a formal offer letter?

Original poster

WindFlower92 · 08/04/2021 19:58

He's had an email saying something along the lines of 'we're happy to offer you the job of...' and it outlines his salary and company benefits. It's not a formal letter but is that wording official enough?

OP posts:

Kitfish · 08/04/2021 19:59

Wait for an offer letter - they are not being reasonable expecting him to hand in his notice without one.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Employment advice

ivykaty44 · 08/04/2021 20:00

get back in contact with HR and state you'll need the formal offer and contract, you'll also need to give a months notice - so until the contract is drawn up you can't give notice, as im sure they'll understand

Motnight · 08/04/2021 20:01

What ivykaty44 said!

rookiemere · 08/04/2021 20:04

What the others said.
In a fit of enthusiasm last month DH handed in his notice on an email confrontation then spent a nervous 2 days waiting for the contract to come through as the HR person was off sick. Thankfully it worked out, but I wouldn't recommend it as a way to go.

Original poster

WindFlower92 · 08/04/2021 20:05

That's what I thought he should do! I guess he's scared of rocking the boat with them and wants to just say yes to whatever they've said, but I'm trying to get him to see that he's leaving himself open to losing the offer as it's not official. I'll have a word with him and hopefully get him to see this.

OP posts:

user1636853246842157 · 08/04/2021 20:12

Even if he had a contract they could still withdraw the job before he starts. It happens.

And get rid of him for any non-discriminatory reason in the first 2 years.

So moving jobs is always a risk.

DancesWithDaffodils · 08/04/2021 20:15

Is the offer subject to references? Or was that done prior to interview/offer?
I wouldnt be handing my notice in yet.

Original poster

WindFlower92 · 08/04/2021 20:19

They still haven't asked for references so I'm sure that could take a while which I'm concerned about. I think they need to do some security checks which he says he will pass as he has had lots in his current job, but the length of time this could take is an issue! Surely the new company can't think they can give him a contract in 2 weeks and he can still start 4th May with a month's notice?!

OP posts:

PegasusReturns · 08/04/2021 20:20

Wait for the contract. Not because it necessarily gives you more legal protection in the event that the job is withdrawn but because a contract means the intention to employ him has been signed off by everyone who needs to do so.

Over the years I’ve lost count of the number of interviewers who have sent out emails like that before the hiring decision has gone through the appropriate approval process and there has then been an issue.

They’ll just have to wait re the notice period. He’s not asking for anything outside of the norm.

Flackattack · 08/04/2021 20:25

If you haven’t seen the contract you don’t know the terms - so he can accept the job subject to contract (normal) and will confirm a start date upon receipt of this and handing in his notice at work. Basically he just can’t confirm the start date.

Original poster

WindFlower92 · 08/04/2021 20:26

I think the problem with the start date is that I'm due on 23rd May, so they have said they want him started before that so he can then go off for 3 weeks when baby's here. If he asks to push back the start date would they be likely to withdraw the offer? Aagh I'm more stressed now he has the offer!

OP posts:

PegasusReturns · 08/04/2021 22:07

A new employer doesn’t have to give him paternity leave. He should try and negotiate it as part of his contract but it’s not guaranteed.

Depending on his role, they might request that he doesn’t start until after the proposed leave period.

Original poster

WindFlower92 · 08/04/2021 22:59

They discussed it in the interview @PegasusReturns and they've said it's fine - he will probably do training etc in the weeks before his leave so it works out okay for them.

OP posts:

PegasusReturns · 09/04/2021 00:12

If they’ve discussed matters that he’s not entitled to all the more need for a contract. He’d be an absolute fool to proceed without one.

Original poster

WindFlower92 · 09/04/2021 08:42

He's emailed the manager today so hopefully he can get the contract sent through and get this all ironed out!

OP posts:

Original poster

WindFlower92 · 09/04/2021 08:56

Although the manager has just emailed back telling him not to worry and to pop his notice in asap and they'll mail the contract to him in the meantime. Now I feel more worried as they don't seem to understand why he might want the contract first?

OP posts:

Flip