leaving a new job

[tuttifrootie]

What is the best way to leave a new job - quickly or slowly?!!

I started a new office job a few weeks ago and my contract is 12 weeks on trial before being made permanent during which I would have to give 1 weeks notice if I left.

It is a change from what I have been doing most recently which is what I thought I wanted but something has happened that has made me question what to do.

Out of the blue, I have been made an amazing offer, with someone I know, back in my previous industry.

I have not really settled with my new role, can now see how good my previous work role was and miss it. My heart says leave this job and go for the new offer.

I am feeling very bad about letting my new one down, they are a small team and so glad to have had a new member to lighten their load.

I can't start the new role for around 6 weeks (it is a clinic that won't be changing owners until then).

Which is best?

1 - hand my notice in now and leave in 1 week (I can manage financially if I do this)

2 - as above but offer to stay longer so they can find someone new

3 - say nothing for a few weeks, then hand notice in 1 week before I want to leave.

Am really struggling with it as feel guilty.

Thanks

I would say 2 - on the basis that they could ask you to just do your week and go... Could you manage 5 weeks out of work?

They may well appreciate the fact you're being honest but prepared to give them a bit of air cover until they find someone else

Probation periods are a two way thing...you are entitled to conclude it's 'just not working out'

Two

Offer to stay but be prepared to go. Be very apologetic. This does actually happen quite often..

Which is "best" is whichever is best for you. That's Option 3.

You owe the company nothing beyond what you're committed to contractually.

They wouldn't hesitate to let you go if they no longer needed your work done, would they? So make it less about emotion and more about practicality.

I have known a family member to go with options 1 or 2 and get told to leave immediately, with very little practical comeback on the employer, and leaving them in a sticky situation financially.

Think of it this way - the probation period is for you to judge them, just as they're judging your fit. If they needed more notice to replace you than 1 week, they should have stipulated longer than 1 week in the contract (and may indeed choose to do this with your replacement). If they struggle in the meantime, it very much falls in the category of 'not really your problem'.

If you want a week or two off before starting the new role I'd say 2, but offer to stay up to 4 weeks to help out. That still gives you 2 weeks break.

Two, assuming that you already have the contract for the new role in your hand and are happy with it. Do not resign onto basis of a verbal offer, no matter how amazing, especially as there will be a delay in starting the new role.

I'd say 2 as well. The longer you stay the more you may like people too so it will be harder to leave.

I had to do exactly this, 6 weeks into a new job.

Option 2, definitely. Be prepared for them to make your time difficult, or to ask you to ship out!

Option 3

Thanks for all your views. It's been really useful to read your perspectives and feel a little less panicky now.

It may well have to be option 3 as still need to get new role details finalised which could take a couple weeks.

Option 3 - employment is a business relationship, not a friendship, and the only obligations on either side are contractual.

An employer wouldn't hesitate to shaft you if it suited them, so you've got to look out for yourself.

Make sure you have your new contract in hand before giving notice.

Then go for a couple weeks break.