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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not bother going to my new job tomorrow?

130 replies

Helmhun · 25/06/2023 23:10

So I recently lost my job, i’ve been applying and interviewing like a crazy woman.
I have been offered a job, which includes working weekends which is less than ideal because i’m a single parent to 2 kids, I would be relying on family to make it work ( not the most reliable)

I accepted the job knowing I wouldn’t be staying long but I needed the money. However i’ve been offered another job with perfect hours, more money and no working weekends which is what I wanted. The start date to this perfect job however is 3 weeks away so i could technically work the first job to earn some money. However it feels quite pointless, I’m on universal credit so i’m sure that would mess up somewhere.

What do i do? I hate letting people down, i have signed a contract that states I need to give a weeks notice.

OP posts:
Babyroobs · 25/06/2023 23:24

Check with UC that you are not going to be sanctioned for doing this.

PostOpOp · 25/06/2023 23:28

Cakeorchocolate · 25/06/2023 23:23

Without a formal offer from the second it would be wise to continue with the first for now. If you get the formal offer tomorrow, you can speak to the first job Tuesday, explain that you're willing to give a weeks notice but you would hate to waste their time training you and so could you agree to waive the notice period and part ways with immediate effect.

This.

Do not turn down a job you actually have for one you hopefully will have.

Epicstorm · 25/06/2023 23:28

I’ve also not received a formal offer yet for the second job, just a phone call and with confirmation to come tomorrow in regards to start dates.

I’ve just seen this. It makes things more difficult. I wouldn’t give back word until I had a watertight offer .

justrude · 25/06/2023 23:30

Don't turn down your first job until you have the second job offer in writing, and signed!

Original poster
Helmhun · 25/06/2023 23:33

I think I will go tomorrow and wait to hear in regards to the second job. It would be silly not to

I also think it may not affect UC because of it being in two different assessment periods? Pay wise 🤞

OP posts:
Lemonade84 · 25/06/2023 23:38

You'll be wasting their time even more if you go in, receive training and then leave. Just give them a call in the morning to say you've accepted a job with better hours. It's not uncommon.

BunnyBettChetwynnd · 25/06/2023 23:40

saltinesandcoffeecups · 25/06/2023 23:16

Don’t go it’s a waste of their time.

Agree with this.

PaigeMatthews · 25/06/2023 23:43

I would be relying on family to make it work ( not the most reliable)
surely you mean not the most fair? You’re putting in them, not them unreliably having your children at the weekend.

Original poster
Helmhun · 25/06/2023 23:46

I mean my asking various family members is not the most reliable each weekend.

I come from a big family where culturally everyone helps out with the kids, of course everyone has their lives but usually at least one day of the weekend the whole family is together

OP posts:
Spinewars23 · 25/06/2023 23:48

Sorry I broke my neck trying to get to a new job on Monday 22nd May, I made it in just in time and spent around the first 45 minutes of employment in team kitchen whilst the ‘’day time team managers’’ drew straws who should induct us.’’

no one approached us night staff on a day shift… policies said don’t just leave new starters at a pc all day, but that’s just what they did.

don’t buy into the crud they have to pay regardless if you do some work - I’m asking an insurance company who left it up to day/time agents to train claims handlers where is my pay tomorrow as it’s actually technically late and about as sloppy/disorganised as to their dear it isn’t my job day-time team managers no doubt. The joke is this insurance company accepted new starter forms ((yes really)) on 25th April 2023. Before I would have let it go but as parking was extra on top of fuel and the company was taking the p!ss I want paying.

who wants to hear some bell end in an insurance company say well I’m only here as I needed to earn dosh, when you jump through hoops over having enough references…

Chasing so two bit backstreet company but never some kind of insurance one but oh yes.

Dixiechickonhols · 25/06/2023 23:48

I’d start job 1. Give notice once job 2 all signed up and start date confirmed in writing. It can take time for refs/hr etc.
Then just be honest with job 1. You interviewed for both, but job 2 now offered and hours will suit better long term.

HowcanIhelp123 · 25/06/2023 23:59

100% do job 1 until you have everything signed and complete for job 2. Until it's in writing offer may fall through. You're on a weeks notice. If it was essential to business need it would be longer! They'd think nothing of firing you with the same notice if it took their fancy.

Explain when job 2 is sorted that you're a single parent, weekend work is already a lot for you to try and source childcare for, and that working weekends and them being in school means you aren't able to spend quality time with the kids. Job isn't sustainable for you and you've been offered another job without weekend work.

CockSpadget · 26/06/2023 00:00

Don’t go in, it will cost them time and money to train you for 2 weeks, for you then to just leave. No company in their right mind would want that.

AnObserverInThisDarkWorld · 26/06/2023 00:04

I'd have said ring Job 1 and explain until I saw you haven't had an official start date for Job 2 yet. You don't want to burn bridges if something happens with Job 2.

Definitely don't no show, that in itself could mess up UC as failing to follow work commitments.

Depending how much you even earn, you may still get a UC "top up" and your work coach may advice to stay on UC (I was told 6 months without a claim before it gets closed automatically, my coach advised not to close the claim as my hours could be unreliable before)

CapEBarra · 26/06/2023 00:07

Tell them straight up that you’ve been offered a job with better money and hours. They may offer to match our increase their offer.

Stillcantbebothered · 26/06/2023 00:35

Happytohelp2 · 25/06/2023 23:14

If you hate letting people down then you should go to the job. It’ll make you feel better about yourself. Self respect and personal values are important, if sometimes inconvenient.

I don’t see what value she will add by starting and immediately giving notice. I wouldn’t bother training or onboarding her so it’s better she just lets them know and quit tomorrow.

EnthENd · 26/06/2023 00:48

YABU.

Well done on getting the offers!

Universal Credit rules will require you to take the first job. And anyway, there's three weeks during which the second company could withdraw their offer!

I wouldn't even give the new job any more notice than the contract requires.

Where I've work we've had people who left less than a month after arriving. It's a bit of a pain but it's something companies just have to manage.

EnthENd · 26/06/2023 00:50

PS: Also, of course it varies a lot between different companies and roles, but there are definitely jobs where you're doing productive work on day one.

HowcanIhelp123 · 26/06/2023 00:52

Stillcantbebothered · 26/06/2023 00:35

I don’t see what value she will add by starting and immediately giving notice. I wouldn’t bother training or onboarding her so it’s better she just lets them know and quit tomorrow.

Show quote history

Job 2 isn't signed yet, it could fall through and OP would have no job. At least if she starts she can continue Job 1. She would also end up in hot water with UC for turning down income.

Not saying it isn't a pain for the company, but needs must.

OldBeller · 26/06/2023 00:57

I'd go in, yeah. I wouldn't mention I had another job lined up either.

Tbh, you lose a certain percentage of new starters in lots of roles anyway so the business should be anticipating this kind of thing.

You might learn something interesting anyway. And you never know, you might even really love it there.

Offwegotosleep · 26/06/2023 01:12

I think it’s more disrespectful to go and then go to the effort of training you. Just let them know that you have another job and unfortunately won’t be able to work for the after all. They’ll be annoyed but it’s not the end of the world.

coxesorangepippin · 26/06/2023 01:46

Don't go in. People do this all the time

Bagsundermyeyestoday · 26/06/2023 02:57

Schlomp · 25/06/2023 23:13

I think as you've signed a contract it would be best to go in and hand in your notice, explaining the situation

This, do the right thing and don't let those people down.

Busybutbored · 26/06/2023 03:44

I'd call them and explain the situation and ask if they'd like you to come in and work your two weeks. I can't believe people in here saying not to bother showing up, or worse to get them to train you and not tell them. Some people have zero ethics

marblemad · 26/06/2023 04:24

Just let them know unfortunately you have been offered a role with a pay and working week itinerary more in line with what you had in mind during your job search and that unfortunately at short notice you have no choice but to take the other role for the sake of your children and personal development, but thank them for their time. You don't even have to call because it's likely they wouldn't answer until mid day anyway. I would email or a text with the offer of a formal discussion- so from 6am they can look for a quick replacement.

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