Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

WIBU to ask new job to start later?

32 replies

PivotPivotPivotPivot · 06/12/2021 12:49

I recently got a new job and handed my notice in at my old job. Everything fine and due to start the new job on Monday. Both admin roles but moving from a small company to NHS.

My old job haven't found anyone to replace me yet, and they've asked me if I can stay another month. I've never heard of this before, is this something that anyone else has ever been asked to do or done? I know they can't stop me from going but I don't want them to struggle either, they've been good to me.

WIBU to speak to the new job about starting later?

OP posts:
IsDaveThere · 06/12/2021 12:52

I wouldn't if you have already told them your notice period. It's not your fault that your old job haven't replaced you yet and if you were not able to work for any other reason, accident or illness, they would have to cope without you then.

simpledeer · 06/12/2021 12:53

I wouldn't. Your new employer will be counting on you honouring your agreed start date.

If your current employer needs more time to replace staff, they need to extend notice periods.

BornIn78 · 06/12/2021 12:54

I wouldn’t. It’s not the NHS’s job to suck up recruiting issues and the inconvenience of small businesses.

I think if you’ve given your old job the appropriate notice, then they need to review their notice periods and their process for recruitment. Have they even advertised yet? Interviewed? Is it likely they’ll have recruited in yet another month given we’ve got Christmas in between?

maxelly · 06/12/2021 12:58

I think you would be a bit U yes, the new job will already have made plans, an induction schedule, plan to train you etc based on you starting Monday, a delay of a few days or maybe a week probably wouldn't disrupt it too much but suddenly asking to start a month later at this short notice would have me questioning your commitment TBH. If it was a sudden change in personal circumstances then that would be different of course.

Your old job have presumably had your whole notice period to make arrangements, if they knew that wasn't enough time, the time to ask you about staying longer was when you handed your notice in/agreed a last day, not now when you've already made a commitment to your new job. As a manager I have very occasionally asked someone to stay on longer than their notice but only in situations where I know for one reason or another they aren't starting another job right away, and I've always asked more in hope than expectation they'll say yes. I think in your situation I'd have to say sorry but no, your new job needs to be your priority I would say...

colourfulpuddles · 06/12/2021 12:59

I wouldn’t. You will create a bad first impression.

galacticpixels · 06/12/2021 13:03

I don't think this would be a good idea. Your new job is ready for you to start Monday and they should be your priority. It's unfortunate for your current company but it's not your issue to solve.

Vanishun · 06/12/2021 13:04

No.

It's not your fault and now you need to look out for your future career.

MelonTits · 06/12/2021 13:05

Not a good idea now - could have been negotiated earlier. I did this once when I left a small company just as someone new who did a similar role to me had started, I extended my notice by two weeks so there was a bit of overlap for me to show them how things worked.

It might be unfortunate that your former employer hasn’t found a replacement but as others have said, it’s not your problem.

Travis1 · 06/12/2021 13:06

If I’m recruiting it’s because I need a bum in seat asap. I’d be really unhappy and would reconsider the offer if someone did that to us. Might be harsh but it would make me doubt whether or not you’d even make the move in another months time

girlmom21 · 06/12/2021 13:07

I wouldn't either. Your current company is no longer your responsibility.

Hoppinggreen · 06/12/2021 13:09

No, don’t do it
Your responsibility is to your new employer now

GiltEdges · 06/12/2021 13:10

I know they can't stop me from going but I don't want them to struggle either, they've been good to me.

But presumably you've also been good to them? Ultimately I suspect they know that they're asking something unreasonable of you, but are hoping you'll agree anyway. It's playing on your good nature.

Honour the commitment you made to your new employer.

FallonCarringtonWannabe · 06/12/2021 13:11

@Travis1

If I’m recruiting it’s because I need a bum in seat asap. I’d be really unhappy and would reconsider the offer if someone did that to us. Might be harsh but it would make me doubt whether or not you’d even make the move in another months time
This. Dont risk it
PinkiOcelot · 06/12/2021 13:13

I certainly wouldn’t if I were you. If it’s anything like the Trust I work in, they will be waiting for you to start because the person you’re replacing will be long gone.

I’m currently waiting for someone to start and we’re not even treading water here, we’re drowning, so definitely no from me. Hardly your new employers fault that your previous employer haven’t appointed.

NoSquirrels · 06/12/2021 13:17

No, they’ve left it far too late to ask you this.

How long was your notice period? It’s unusual to have less than a month. If they thought they’d struggle to recruit within that time (which is reasonable, it can take time) and they absolutely can’t muddle through without someone in role, they should have asked you to discuss delaying your start date right when you’d handed your notice in.

BigbreastsBiggerbeard · 06/12/2021 13:18

Definitely not. It'll create a terrible first impression in your new role. It's not your fault your old employer hasn't replaced you yet.

Megacervixosaurus · 06/12/2021 13:18

Oh wow I’ve only just got onto the fact you’re due to start the new job on Monday. As I’m a week today??

Absolutely not, what on earth are you thinking?

sillysmiles · 06/12/2021 13:20

If it is an admin role would you be able to negotiate that you could do an few hours in the evening once you start your new job - and earn extra for a month?

But no, I wouldn't delay my start date. Think about what's best for you - not for either organisation. And what's best for you I guess is to get started in your new role and make a good impression. If you can earn extra and help out the old plan in the meantime fair enough but I wouldn't sacrifice a good start in your new role.

Itsalmostanaccessory · 06/12/2021 13:21

No. Of course you cant do this. Unless you want to fuck your future up. You'll be putting a bad taste into the mouths of all your new colleagues who will have to pick up the slack and your new managers who will see you as the unreliable, selfish one.

Your old bosses have had enough time to sort this out. They set your notice period. You've worked it. That's it.

SusieBob · 06/12/2021 13:22

Absolutely not.

TakeYourFinalPosition · 06/12/2021 13:22

they've asked me if I can stay another month

Presumably they don't know that you've already agreed to start on Monday?

They may well have asked just incase you'd built in a month off, some people do that between jobs, and it's probably even more common at this time of year.

You've agreed to start your new job next week - so it's not an option for you to stay, sadly, however good to you they've been. You're committed elsewhere.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 06/12/2021 13:25

You can’t prioritise your old employer in favour of your new one.

PlasticCupPolitics · 06/12/2021 13:32

No you shouldn’t do this, if you’re new to the NHS (and your trust is organised) you will have an induction booked for that week, mandatory training, appointments to set you up on the different systems etc and someone will have set aside time to do training with you. It isn’t your fault that your old company can’t find a replacement.

GoldenBlue · 06/12/2021 13:35

The new NHS role will have rota'd you for the time you are working over Xmas, it would be hugely out of order to let them down.

Your old company is hoping to use you to carry them over the Xmas period and must know that it's a hugely inappropriate request.

I would think negatively about a staff member that did this to me as an employer

AngelonTopoftheTree · 06/12/2021 13:43

Sorry, you can't do this. You've given a start date, you could possibly move be s few days due to being sick or something but you can't move by a month because your old job haven't found cover for you yet.