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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to accept 2 job offers?

47 replies

YorkshireLass226 · 30/04/2018 00:41

I had an interview for Job A on Wednesday and an interview for Job B on Thursday. On Friday I had a phone call from Job A and an e-mail from Job B both offering me the job, but I really can't decide which to take.

Job A is a job at the local council doing something I would enjoy. Job B is at a small company where I would be using my degree which I would equally enjoy. The salaries are very similar and they are both only a 30 minute commute from home. Job A is a 12 month contract, whereas job B is a 3 month contract, but both might be extended.

The start date for job A is 3 weeks after the start date for job B. I'm really struggling to decide which to pick and it is really getting my anxious and miserable trying to decide. DH suggested that I accept both jobs and try out job B as the start date is sooner and then after the few weeks of working there decide whether to stay at job B or to leave and start job A. Would this be a horrible thing to do? Has anyone else do anything similar? Is this even legal?

OP posts:
FASH84 · 30/04/2018 00:44

It's legal but would burn bridges with one or the other, you'd either leave the job really quickly or turn the other one down last minute after accepting. Surely a 3 month contract is more of a risk, have you said that to them and explained you have another offer on the table? They might offer more money or a longer contract?

Jamiefraserskilt · 30/04/2018 01:06

Job A as it offers longer term income

Holidayz · 30/04/2018 01:11

Job A... Might also have a decent pension scheme.

CreamTeaa · 30/04/2018 01:14

I’d take the 12 month contract one.

CreamTeaa · 30/04/2018 01:15

So Job A

TrippingTheVelvet · 30/04/2018 01:16

Job A. Civil service over a small independent any day.

HeddaGarbled · 30/04/2018 01:21

Yes, it would be a horrible thing to do. Job B will have turned down other applicants, done all the administration for you starting and your potential new colleagues will put time and effort above their normal work duties into welcoming you and getting you up to speed, only to be left in the lurch if you leave. It will probably be too late for them to contact their rejected applicants which means they will have to go through the process all over again, which means they will be without someone while they go through the process and they'll all have to do extra for the new appointee as well as you.

You are just trying to postpone the decision at the possible expense of Job B. Don't be so flakey.

YouCantGetHereFromThere · 30/04/2018 01:30

It's a crappy thing to do to people running a small company.

liondance · 30/04/2018 01:43

YABVU! Pick one!

Dontblameitontheboogie · 30/04/2018 01:47

I agree with everyone else that it wouldn't be fair to mess them about, and you wouldn't gain anything as you'd burn your bridges with one of them either way.

Personally I'd go for job B, no contest. Independent company, doing something where you use your degree. I'd imagine that gives a lot more scope for individual career development. BUT if job security is your no 1 criterium, then go for job A. It's really down to your personal preference.

Narkle · 30/04/2018 05:22

When you accept a job offer you enter a verbal contract, with all the implications - it doesn't matter whether you have physically signed something at that point in time. If you either switch jobs (assuming you have a notice period) or don't start a job you have accepted you may well find yourself on the wrong side of a lawsuit to get you to cover the cost of advertising for, and hiring, a new person to take up the job that you should have plus the cover for you during that time. Your name may get blacklisted and employers talk to each other, so your chosen job may be at risk, too.

You wouldn't be the first person to try this and face all of the above consequences.

YimminiYoudar · 30/04/2018 06:01

Don't muck them around it's not fair. Choose.

I would go for A for the security, but ymmv.

BikeRunSki · 30/04/2018 06:13

What happens if you start Job B, resign after a couple of weeks, start Job A, then realise that you actually preferred Job B.

Just choose 1. I’d go for A for longevity.

pasturesgreen · 30/04/2018 06:18

Christ no, don't do that!

Job A for me as well, local council over small independent company any day. But whatever you chose, don't mess them about.

jkl0311 · 30/04/2018 06:23

I would explain to job b your looking for 12 month contract and see what they offer. You must have a preference of the 2 jobs?

DisturblinglyOrangeScrambleEgg · 30/04/2018 06:45

Jobs have a probation period for a reason! It's not purely for the company's benefit! - either party can change their mind during the 3 months (or whatever).

Personally, I don't see any harm in giving it a go (and getting an extra 3 weeks salary) - yes, it's inconvenient for the small company, but then, there's a reason they're only offering a 3 month contract, and it's not because they want to do the best by their employees!

DisturblinglyOrangeScrambleEgg · 30/04/2018 06:47

If you either switch jobs (assuming you have a notice period) or don't start a job you have accepted you may well find yourself on the wrong side of a lawsuit to get you to cover the cost of advertising for, and hiring, a new person to take up the job that you should have plus the cover for you during that time. Your name may get blacklisted and employers talk to each other, so your chosen job may be at risk, too.

What rot - read the contract - it'll give the reasons that the contract can be ended - in the case of a 3 month contract, there might be a notice period, but in the case of most other jobs, there's a probationary period, during which either party can end the employment, for any reason, without penalty. That's there for a reason, and why wouldn't you exercise it if you don't like the job!

ArchchancellorsHat · 30/04/2018 06:50

Which of the interviewers did you get on better with, and is there any chance of either extending? Around here, the civil service often use FTC as a kind of extended probation and keep people permanently, though I don't think the council really counts as civil service, they might do the same thing. It's a way of making extra sure they don't get stuck with a pisstaker.

I'd never work for a small independent company again though if it was one that's expanding and growing it might be a good move for you.

MyotherUsernameisaPun · 30/04/2018 06:55

It would be shitty to take the job without committing to seeing it out. Recruitment is expensive and time consuming and you'd be putting Job B to the effort of find a replacement and training them. Since they only want someone for 3 months that would be hugely inconvenient and stressful for them. I think it would be very inconsiderate and entitled to do so. You have to pick which one you want and turn down the other, who will have a back up candidate they can give the position to instead.

BikeRunSki · 30/04/2018 07:15

Local Authorities are not civil service.

DisturblinglyOrangeScrambleEgg · 30/04/2018 07:18

It would be shitty to take the job without committing to seeing it out.

What a bizarre attitude - companies offer jobs all the time, on the proviso that if they don't like you, you can be out on your ear with no notice in the first few months.

If the company isn't going to commit to 'seeing it out' why on earth would you?

wowfudge · 30/04/2018 07:19

I wouldn't work for the local council, but you need to choose the best job for you.

DisturblinglyOrangeScrambleEgg · 30/04/2018 07:20

Having said all this - if job B is only offering a 3 month contract, for the same money, then I wouldn't do it - short term contracts need to be at high rates, or they're just not worth it (my rates for a 3 months job are double what I'd charge for a year contract for example)

LittleBlueBirdie · 30/04/2018 07:21

Job a

Kraggle · 30/04/2018 07:28

The 12 month one.

Why would you turn down an extra 9 months guaranteed wages unless you don’t actually need to work for the money?

In which case choose which one you’d enjoy more.