Changing jobs- no contract yet but new employer seems to expect that I've handed in my notice- advice please

[Carrots24]

Hi,

Looking for some advice. I've been with my current employer for a while so I've forgotten how this all works.

Mid May I interviewed for a new job which I was offered and accepted (all verbal).

New employer suggested a start date of 3rd July subject to pre employment checks and references. I said this was fine and filled out the forms they sent me (bank details, pension details, security check). I assumed they'd tell me when they'd done everything they needed to their end and send me a contract so I could hand in my notice with my current employer (4 weeks).

I didn't hear anything about the checks being complete or receive a contract (although I received acknowledgement that they had received my completed forms) but today my new line manager contacted me by email to arrange a pre start meeting ahead of my 3rd July start date.

I haven't handed in my notice (which would have been due yesterday to start on the 3rd) as I haven't got a written contract yet. My current job are really unlikely to let me leave ahead of serving my notice period so the earliest I can now start would be 4th if I handed in my notice tomorrow.

I feel a bit uncomfortable handing in my notice before actually having a contract especially as I've negotiated a slightly higher start pay than was originally offered (I have this written in an email) but I don't want my new employer to think I'm being difficult/ poorly organised/ having doubts/ lazy.

Have I messed up? Should I have handed my notice in? What do I do now?

If it's relevant i currently live and work in England but my new employer is in Scotland.

You've nothing in writing from the new place so you're not in a position to hand in your notice at the old place yet. I'd let new place know that a start date of 3 July is now unlikely but if they can get a contract to you by the end of the week you would be available from 10 July.

"What do I do now?"

You start communicating with your new employer! If you knew you needed to hand your notice in yesterday but aren't prepared to do that without a contract, sitting and hoping for it to appear in time and then doing nothing when it didn't appear wasn't enough!

I suggest you ring your new manager first thing, find out whether a contract or at least an offer letter is on its way to you, and discuss a revised start date.

Lots of places don't issue the contract until you start - instead we send a formal offer letter really quickly after making a verbal offer, and the letter includes core elements of the offer such as pay, title, place of work, pension and benefits, holiday entitlement etc. Then we do the contract as part of the induction meeting (clearly not expecting them to sign in front of us, they take it away to read carefully, but it gives them a chance to ask any questions). So, as PP said, you need to ring them and ask what their process is asap, so you know how to work within it. It's unfortunate it wasn't explained when the verbal offer was made, but it's not too late to sort it all out.

Why can't you ask the new employer for a written contract and make it clear that you won't be able to resign until you get this?

This was a week ago, I assume the OP didn't like the advice she was given, as she ignored it. Not much point keep advising her!

Hi,

It turns out there had been a mix up between my future line manager and HR (it's a large organisation and HR are based in a different location). My manager believed HR were way ahead of where they are... it turns out HR haven't even asked my references yet...

I've said that I can't afford be be between jobs so until they know when I can't start I won't hand in my notice and they are fine with this.

Thanks for the advice- I was just thrown into a bit of a panic when the email arrived.