AIBU to consider not taking this job?

[Givenup2026]

So my current job is potentially a sinking ship. Everybody is super depressed and morale is low.

I have zero progression and one my colleagues just got a new job which means I’d get her workload (but she won’t get backfilled but that will also free up some budget).

I’ve got a job offer from a previous direct competitor. It’s more £££ (30%) but they’re also pressuring me to sign the offer letter when I haven’t clarified a few things.

I thought the role was remote (the offer says something else although sometimes it doesn’t matter).

AND the proposed direct manager was a tough interviewer and she’s also not the direct VP so that’s odd too.

Also my current manger is off all week so won’t be able to have a proper chat for some time.

So WWYD? The offer on the table is not a red flag per se, but I can’t action it ASAP.

Can't you just politely state you just want clarify the situation with it being remote before you sign.

Do you feel you can't hand in your notice as your boss is away? When will they be back?

The situation with the manager being a tough interviewer, did you feel like you would easily be able to work with them?

Presumably they thought highly of you if they've offered the job. The fact the manager isn't a VP to me isn't a particular concern.

I don’t think I can give in my notice as there’s the small possibility that they’d be able to match the salary (or at least get a pay increase). So I need to have a proper conversation.

the VP being a tougher interviewer… I genuinely don’t know? She did ask a couple of times “why are you asking me this?” When it was plain curiosity from my part. She also an adjacent VP (so say support) when there is a VP for my department. I thought that was odd. Also I thought the hiring manager was somebody else. Not that it matters too much, but I’ve asked for some clarification.

You need more clarification. You’d be foolish to accept without it.

It sounds like you've a few reservations. It's perfectly reasonable to hold out until you've spoken to your employer. This new company shouldn't be pressuring you into anything, in this environment an employer who seems that desperate for staff and wants to rush them into joining could be considered a red flag.

Even if your current employer could match the salary (and that’s absolute best case given it’s 30%), presumably you’d still have the same issues you do now. Workload of yours plus the colleague who left, low morale, sinking ship etc.

so sounds like a new employer and a fresh start sound great. However I’d want clarity on the remaining points and wouldn’t sign a contract/hand in my notice until I was 100% comfortable. Any potential employer pressuring you into signing without full details doesn’t give a great first impression!!

i don’t think they’d think it unreasonable for you to want confirmation of the location and whether it’s office based or from home.

what else would you like clarified? IMO I wouldn’t be worried about the fact it was a different manager that interviewed me, but maybe that’s just me

Agree with you.

As they are your current company's competitors, the interviewer may have had their guard up more than usual.

It sounds like a good offer to me, but of course you need full details first.

They’re the direct competitors of a company I worked at almost 2 years ago.

I think it was more of a personality thing if anything.

Update: signed the offer

Congratulations on your new job! 🙌

Thank you! Now it’s the old adage of uoging notice before contract or not

The words frying pan and fire springs to mind. Always trust your gut and find another post.

Yes that’s true! Now it’s the usual challenge of when to give notice.

This. Don’t be pressured. If they want you they will answer your questions. Trust your gut feeling.

I’ve had as much clarification as I can get (and the only real red line).
the main hurdle I now have is that the want me to start in 4 weeks… and generally one resigns after getting a contract, but if I wait I won’t be able
to start I. 4 weeks

Red flag

I find the change of line manager more of a red flag, the notice thing is more of a chicken and egg situation.

These are not reasons to reject the job. It’s usual to accept subject to negotiations over small details.

If you’ll be out of a job anyway, take it so you have money coming in. If it doesn’t work - get another job. Good luck OP

Nothing chicken an egg about it. Never hand your notice in until you have signed a contract.

Surely it's normal to say 'I have a 4 wk notice period, and will hand in my notice once I have a contract'?

If they want you to start in 4 weeks it's on them to get a contract to you!

No, if anything I have some job security in my current role (and I have redundancy insurance).