Navigating voluntary severance process when I have a job offer

[mindovamatta]

I posted this in the "Work" forum, but trying this forum too ...

My employer has been running a voluntary severance (VS) process. I have been wanting to leave for a while, but not without another job lined up. By coincidence, I received a job offer the day before the VS application deadline, so I applied for the VS. It is not certain that my VS application will be accepted (because my role may not be one they feel they can lose). I realise I will be very fortunate if it is accepted in addition to having the new job. My question is ...

The VS conditions says applicants who have already resigned or given "notice of intention to leave" can't apply or be accepted for VS. I haven''t told anyone about my offer yet, but my prospective employer wants a line manager reference and an HR reference. If I allow them to go ahead with requesting these, will it be regarded as giving "notice of intention to leave"?

Very likely. I am an employer and I would put an employee on gardening leave as soon as a reference was requested while I investigate why the employee hadn’t told me!

I think really it’s all a bit tight in terms of timing. The redundancy process could take months it’s unlikely they are going to turn round you’re application in the next few days agree a package and you agree you can use holiday / gardening leave in lieu of notice. Then write you a nice reference.

Yes, this would be quite clearly regarded as intention to leave and as PP says, these processes rarely take days, they take weeks/months. Your timing is going to be far too tight to manage to have your cake & eat it too here I suspect.