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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:
Amillionlovesongslater · 26/06/2023 21:20

Phone in the morning and explain but I wouldn't go in. Waste of there time.. training you for no reason and because you'll be starting two different jobs in the same month guarantee Hmrc mess up your tax code and you'll get emergency taxed. (I work two jobs and there always screwing up and having to pay me back.)

menopausalbloat · 27/06/2023 17:25

Just be honest and try not to tie yourself in knots thinking about it.

Buvinda12 · 27/06/2023 18:10

Hi there,
lm reading all the threads on this one and after spending 12 years dealing with HR issues l would honestly advise the following:

  1. Start your new job tomorrow and say nothing.
  2. You state that you have got a phone call only and nothing in writing regarding the offer on the better paid job. Do not mention this to your employer tomorrow in case the other one falls through as then you are in great difficulty. Only mention the better paid job when you have it formally in writing as you are certain of it then.
l wish you well with everything.
csigeek · 27/06/2023 18:14

Honestly, people don’t turn up for new jobs all the time. I work in HR, it happens weekly! We do nothing.

Kazz36 · 27/06/2023 18:14

CheckEngineLight · 25/06/2023 23:15

Go, make a couple of weeks money whilst you work your notice.

Absolutely this. The second job you have being offered is perfect for you. You have got to think of yourself and yr kiddy's, finances, and also the added bonus of having the weekend off with yr family. Good luck ☘️

Buvinda12 · 27/06/2023 18:16

Think of your good name and reputation, it’s small world you may meet someone within the company down the line, but do not mention the other job until it’s in writing.

LT1982 · 27/06/2023 18:21

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.

If you go, its a waste of their time, resources and money to pay you for a few weeks when you dont plan on staying . I would explain the circumstances in an email and not go as

Bignanny30 · 27/06/2023 18:26

Hand in your notice now before going to work for them. If you weren’t on universal credit I’d have probably advised differently, but if you start one job then leave and start another then we both know that it’ll take universal credit forever to work out your top up benefits. You’ll end up being out of pocket for weeks at least and then they’ll probably say they’ve over paid and you owe them etc etc. You know how this goes.

greenbeansnspinach · 27/06/2023 18:38

It is awkward, but as another poster has said, I would ring, be completely honest (and obviously apologetic). Universal credit is a nightmare and could easily be messed up. They will understand.

Rosscameasdoody · 27/06/2023 18:43

My BIL handed in his notice at his job after he was offered a new job via phone call a couple of days after he interviewed. The offer was retracted before it was put in writing and he ended up out of work. I’d go, and say nothing until you’ve had the formal job offer and have accepted it.

faultylightbulb · 27/06/2023 18:54

. . What Cheekyhusky said . . Absolutely agree. .

BiscuitsandPuffin · 27/06/2023 19:26

Helmhun · 26/06/2023 09:00

I’ve just had an email from head office in regards to the second job with my formal offer. I will email the first job explaining what had happened and plan on apologising profusely

Congratulations OP. Hope your new job goes well!

Bewilderedandhurt · 27/06/2023 20:15

Be honest and tell your employer the truth up front so that your position can be filled with another candidate.
Being upfront is far better than just not showing up.

pollymere · 27/06/2023 20:35

I would do the first job until I knew for certain the second one was set up. You can easily say you realised the hours aren't going to work for you and give a week's notice when the time comes.

I know some benefits are affected if you have a job offer which you turn down so you need to check that too.

jenkel1979 · 27/06/2023 20:57

It's a real hassle for them to start settling you in when you're not staying. So, you just need to be straight with them. There's a labour shortage, so they're at a disadvantage anyway.

Ponderosamum · 27/06/2023 22:31

Justchooseone · 25/06/2023 23:14

It’s a shame it’s tomorrow as it gives them no notice, but I imagine you wouldn’t be very productive this week anyway as you’d be learning the ropes. I think you should ring them tomorrow and explain as you’ll just be wasting everyone’s time otherwise. Good luck in the other new job!!

This. They may not want you to bother to start at all.

Mumofthreeteenagers · 27/06/2023 23:07

If you dont go and the 2nd job doesnt come through you will make your uc stop. If you dont go and your 2nd job comes through, you could also lose the money in those 3 weeks. If you call and let them know and they decide to not take you, that could also stop uc. However if your contract with uc states non weekends, you will be fine. Best bet is to work for a fortnight there and give a weeks notice..plenty do when the job doesnt pan out for them.

Juced · 28/06/2023 05:51

Nah I wouldn’t bother let’s face it employers don’t care about us if you died between now and then they wouldn’t give you a second thought…and financially it doesn’t make sense to have a break in your benefits for the sake of three wks, enjoy this time with your babies 🥰

veryfluffyfluff · 28/06/2023 06:05

We had someone who turned up for two days then said they'd found something else and handed in their weeks notice. We just sent them home for the week. So they got paid for a week and 2 days.

We didn't really mind that much as at the time it was super easy to find someone quickly to fill their post. It depends on the job though.

Tbh I'd turn up - explain the situation - hand notice in and see what they want to do. Any pay is better than no pay.

veryfluffyfluff · 28/06/2023 06:07

I guess it depends what the job is. If its kitchen work or something you won't need a long training period then go anyway

User163876621 · 28/06/2023 06:08

What was the outcome OP

Katieandthekids · 28/06/2023 06:35

Just email them explaining and ask them what they want you to do regarding the notice period.

That's what I would like someone to do at my work but I wouldn't make them work the weeks notice.

Well done on the perfect job. These things happen and it won't be anything more than a mild annoyance for them.

JMSA · 28/06/2023 06:37

It would be totally unfair on them for you to start this job.

Teateaandmoretea · 28/06/2023 07:41

JMSA · 28/06/2023 06:37

It would be totally unfair on them for you to start this job.

If they wanted rid of her they wouldn’t think twice.

I’m a bit puzzled about why this is still going, the OP by now has made her decision. Whichever way she went was absolutely perfectly reasonable.

Gingerstars · 28/06/2023 11:52

Im sure the employer would appreciate it more if you said that you had decided not to take the job rather than starting and leaving so soon.