To let them down at this stage in the game

[toolonglurking]

I am moving to a different part of the country at the end of this month as my partner's job is based there - very excited

I applied for a number of jobs and am lucky enough to have been offered a few positions (I'm stunned by this, they clearly need fresh meat in this part of the world!) both starting in early Oct.

Of the positions I was offered, one is a 4 day a week job with a large organisation - great! Another position I have been offered was due to be 1 day a week with a smaller company - brilliant!

I accepted both of these roles, thinking that they will run quite nicely together and mean I can 'try' both to see what appeals most for the long term.

I've just received an email from the smaller company asking me to work 2-3 days for my first week - err, no, I'll be with the other company for 4 days of that week.

Am I a really terrible person to be considering backing out of the position at the smaller company ('negotiations stage' still, nothing signed) and just work for the larger one (knowing that I will be able to go full time in the not too distant future).

*Sorry its a boring AIBU, but I'm too deep into the woods to see the trees.

Do the two companies know that you will have two jobs? I think a lot of employers would want you to have a little flexibility from time to time to work and extra day/different day. It kinda sounds like a recipe for problems to me...

The larger one know, but the smaller one don't - I see your point Cabbage

I've never combined two part time jobs before, I've a very boring 'full time' working history - I think perhaps my plans were too grand.

I hate letting people down, but I think I'm just going to have to bite the bullet aren't I?

YANBU to either back out of the 1 day a week job or to stick with your original plan and just tell them you are not available on the other days that week. They have advertised a position for 1 day a weeks worth of work. Lots of people need to work two jobs and or have other commitments which means they wouldn't have the flexibility to suddenly triple their working hours one week. 'Course this doesn't make you a terrible person, do whatever works best for you and your family.

toolong yeah I think you will. I really think you are just storing up trouble for the future otherwise.

In the long run, the smaller company would probably not thank you for taking on the role when your time is so restricted anyway. Plus it sounds like you might well end up wanting to go full time at the big company and potentially leave small company in the lurch, so I wouldn't feel too terribly guilty about backing out now. It might save all parties some inconvenience/stress further down the line.

Or, you could just come clean with the smaller one and if they can guarantee that they will be fine with you being busy for the other 4 days, then fair enough.

Just tell the second job that you're unavailable for the proposed extra hours.

Start the second job a week later.

Why would the smaller company asking you to do a couple of extra days during the first week mean you need to back out altogether because you can't? Most people have other commitments and responsibilities they wouldn't be able to ditch at short notice, or wouldn't be able to suddenly find 2 extra days childcare.

On the other hand you don't sound especially keen on the job and as if you are planning to possibly leave if you can go full time at the other job later on anyway. On that basis yes you should probably back out. But not just because they asked you to do a couple of extra days you're not available for.

nothing's in writing yet so no reason you can't back out of second job - but I think I'd explain to them that you have been offered and accepted another role on the other four days, so they realise you aren't available for overtime. They must know, with a one day a week job, many/most applicants will have other posts as well.

But if you can afford it, I'd be tempted to stick with four day job, just to get some breathing space after a big move...

NB my sister department here just had someone phone up on Friday, due to start Monday, to say they'd accepted another job - now that IS a nightmare.

edamsavestheday (love the name!) I agree, and actually - since we can kind of afford a but in my pay, it would be good to have a little time to settle - also, that does sound like a proper nightmare!

flowery I think you've hit the nail on the head there, I don't think I am really that keen on the 1 day a week job anymore, perhaps this is me just realising that now - I am always a bit slow to work out what I really think/feel about these sort of things and have form for over-promising and getting carried away.

I'll just need to be an adult about it and contact the smaller company and tell them I've been offered something else that I would like to accept, and thank them for their time.

Thanks all!

No worries. You just need to do what's right for you - otherwise you'll end up resenting the job and leaving and then no one wins. I'm sure small company will be a bit "humpf" and then just move on - worse things happen at sea.

Best of luck with the move and the bigger new job!

toolong, what did you decide?

Thanks for nice comment btw, the last bit was a Doctor Who 50th anniversary ref. that I've kept because I quite like it.