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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

seven201 · 30/04/2018 08:34

I'd go job a. I definitely would not accept both!

Kintan · 30/04/2018 08:42

That would be a really obnoxious thing to do especially if you did end up leaving the 3 month contract early - they will have spent money for recruitment and the person who came second in the interview would probably not be available so they would have to start the whole process again.
Ridiculous, selfish, and pretty immature idea of your husband I must say!

Foxyloxy1plus1 · 30/04/2018 08:45

I think you would be very unreasonable and you need to choose one. I’d go for the twelve month contract. Bear in mind that employers talk to one another and word gets about if you’re flaky.

MrsLaurac · 30/04/2018 08:49

Whilst you are making your mind up another applicant for either of the jobs could start the job and both companies are happy. Don't waste one companies time. I would go for job a 12 months income on the 3 month contract you will only just be getting stuck in when its leave time.

coffeeforone · 30/04/2018 08:54

I’d speak to job B, ask if they can offer a longer contract. If not take job A.

imweirdandcool · 30/04/2018 08:58

that's annoying but good at the same time but I would pick council job

bridgetreilly · 30/04/2018 08:58

I'd choose job A. This is seriously a no-brainer. Everything else is equal and they're offering a longer contract and a local government job is likely to come with greater long-term security than a small company.

K9Time · 30/04/2018 08:59

Why don’t you say to job A that you’ve got a 3 month contract from job B and see if they can wait 3 months for you to start? Some times, with notice period, it can be 3 months from accepting the job to actually starting.

GinAndToast · 30/04/2018 09:01

It's morally wrong, and if you sign a job offer letter, possibly contractually wrong too.

How will you sort out tax, etc? Whenever I start a new job it's a real faff with paperwork.

MyotherUsernameisaPun · 30/04/2018 09:13

@DisturblinglyOrangeScrambleEgg I think in this situation, where it is a three month post, to agree to do the job when you've already decided you might quit after a month to accept a better offer is shitty. It's not in good faith and it's taking advantage.

Glumglowworm · 30/04/2018 09:20

YWBU

I would take job a because 12 months trumps 3 months, all other things being pretty equal

You really need to put your big girl pants on and make a decision. Your professional reputation will be trashed if you do what you’re planning

Cheekyandfreaky · 30/04/2018 09:20

I would accept both, start job b and tell them within the first few days about job offer a. I would explain the fact that it offers a 12 month contract and I’m strongly considering it but I would need to know how likely job b could be more than 3 months.

Congrats on 2 job offers!

KanyeWesticle · 30/04/2018 09:29

It sounds like you are veering towards the sensible job security 12 month civil service, but you'd rather work for Company B.

You need to decide if you'd take B if it were a 12 month contract. If so, tell them that and see what they have to say. Maybe offer a 3 month prodation period?

careerandfam · 30/04/2018 13:37

As a small business owner, please don't mess them around. It takes a long time to recruit the right person and its usually a big investment for a small business. There may be a 2nd candidate they can offer the role too who would love it....but they would have already turned them down if you accepted. Make your decision then let both know. Congrats on 2 offers though, a great position to be in :)

NotSuchASmugMarriedNow1 · 30/04/2018 13:42

I'd do it in a heartbeat. The only person on the face of this earth who cares about my career is, well, me - hence I put my needs first (if I don't prioritise myself, who will?)

I understand you have to think of the organisation but I need to think of myself too

Barbaro · 30/04/2018 14:33

I would be careful on the council job depending on which council it is. The ones in Scotland are so bad at dealing with money they are known for hiring and firing staff whenever because they can't afford them. But that is Scotland, I dunno how they are run in England or Wales. Can't be worse than that though. If its a good council, that one for sure. But I would never work for a council in Scotland.

BarbarianMum · 30/04/2018 14:41

How would you feel if, 4 weeks in with job B, they give you the push and you find out that this was the plan all along? Would you shrug and say "well they're entitled to do it"?

C0untDucku1a · 30/04/2018 14:43

Gor for job A

DisturblinglyOrangeScrambleEgg · 30/04/2018 20:51

I might quit my current job at any point - you can't hold people to ransom! If there are exit clauses in a contract, there's nothing wrong with exercising them - on either side.

I agree that quitting a 3 month post after 3 weeks is awkward - but if the job is terrible, why wouldn't you quit? As long as you obey the contract, you're not under any obligation to do a job you don't want to be doing.

How would you feel if, 4 weeks in with job B, they give you the push and you find out that this was the plan all along? Would you shrug and say "well they're entitled to do it"?

No, I'd be miffed, but if it's in the contract, then they're legally entitled to do it. In any case, that's not the plan - the plan is to use the probationary period, to, you know, have the job on probation. The whole point of short term contracts is that you can hire/fire/accept/reject at will.

YouCantGetHereFromThere · 30/04/2018 21:11

But she wouldn't be quitting because the job was terrible. She'd be quitting because she's too indecisive to work out which job she wants.

sonjadog · 30/04/2018 21:15

I would take the 12 month one. If job b offers 3 month contracts, they may well have one coming along after you are finished with job a, so then you get the work experience of both. If you accept both and ditch one, then you can forget working for the one you ditched for ever more, and as you like the jobs they offer, that would seem like a foolish thing to do.

3boys3dogshelp · 30/04/2018 21:17

There’s a difference between starting a job, finding you hate it or it isn’t as advertised, leaving and finding a new job and starting a job only ever intending to work for 3 weeks!
OP be a grown up and choose a job, let someone else have the other one who will do it properly.

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