How to politely turn down an accepted job offer?

[Lochnessgiraffe]

Dh has accepted a new job and signed a contract but has been offered another job just waiting on contract and has accepted. How does he politely turn down the first job?

It's not you it's me. My circumstances have changed. We are just not compatible anymore. It never would have worked. This is kinder in the long run. I will always love you. I' m just not in love with you.

Love it

You're not turning it down. So don't use this language as it's incorrect, can cause confusion and make him look stupid. He's already accepted it. If he were to say he didn't want to take the job anymore he would be rescinding on a contract or acceptance of an offer. Most places are fine with this, but do check the contract doesn't has any clause regarding this.

He needs to be upfront and say he has been offered another more suitable role so won't be taking up the role he has signed the contract for with their organisation.

It's a bit annoying for them but what can you do? I would say that I am sorry to have messed them around and I was really grateful for the opportunity, but an offer came up unexpectedly that was best suited for my circumstances. I wouldn't worry about it. These things happen.

Call HR and tell them he hadn’t declared a few spent convictions but it’s not a problem because the money was just resting in his account anyway

Thanks that's helpful.

I'd say that this will be a blow to HR/ his new manager or whoever recruited him. They will have told all the other applicants they didn't get the job. So I think he should arrange a phone call or zoom call instead of emailing. So he can say from the heart how this situation has happened and apologise for the recruitment problem he's leaving them.

That's OTT chilled!

It's a bit of a pain, sure, but these things happen. A polite email explaining that his situation has changed and he was no longer able to accept the role, is fine.

It's not ideal for the firm but they won't sit around wailing & gnashing their teeth. It's life.

They'll move to the second person on the list if appointable, or re-advertise

I wouldn't bother with a zoom call personally. If I was the hiring manager I would just want to know. I would be a bit peeved but would just want to move on to filling the roll as quickly as possible. I would email in the manner previous posters have suggested but do it sooner rather than later.

I think an email will do. But I agree sooner would be better. I'd prefer him to wait till the new contract comes in so they can wait a couple of days. He wouldn't have been starting till mid Jan so they can easily readvertise and maybe get someone earlier.

........they can easily readvertise.

There are a lot of costs and a lot of time spent on recruitment processes, of course he is not unreasonable to recind the offer, but don't think he isn't leaving them in an easy position. As above an email saying circumstances have changed and he will no longer be able to accept the offer, thank them for their time, day something positive about the company and process and an apology for the inconvience caused would be appropriate.

@WeAllHaveWings

That's true but it's a normal part of that process. I recruit people fairly regularly & while it sometimes goes smoothly, very often there's a delay, change in circumstances or better job offer.