Ethical work-related dilemma

[hatwoman]

I?ve been offered a new job with a new organisation. However, I have an application pending for an internal move within my existing organisation. I have just found out that I?m unlikely to find out about the internal one for another month ? they haven't even shortlisted yet. Although the internal one is temporary I would prefer it to the one I?ve been offered. If I resign my existing post I have 3 months notice to work (which would be waived if I got the internal move). What do I do? Is there anyway I can forestall the offer I have for a whole month? It has to be said that it took them about 4 or 5 weeks after the interview to make me the offer?but that was partly my fault as they were umming and ahhing about my request for a 4-day week (which, in the end, they agreed to ? a moral victory even if I don't take the post!). A related question ? is it somehow wrong to approach the interview panel for the internal job and tell them my dilemma ? on the one hand I want the internal job so much more but there?s no way of knowing what sort of chance I stand. On the other hand we?re very straight on recruitment policies and could it be construed as an improper attempt to influence them?

.

I would approach the panel - i can't see how it would not work in your favour as you are obviously more interested in staying with them. It is a realistic and must be a common dilemma as it seems you are at the point of needing a change - be it a different job or a promotion. In these situations I think honesty is appreciated and I cannot see that it would be construed as an attempt to influence them - you could even say as much!

Good luck and well done with your career - am a touch

Why don't you accept the offer you have from the other organisation and then they will expect you to start in 3 months time.

But, don't resign now, instead approach the panel and see if things can be speeded up? If not you will just have to wait but the end result will either be that you get the internal job or you don't.

If you get it, you regretfully inform the other company that your circumstances have changed unexpectedly and sadly you are unable to take the job (then switch off your phone for a few weeks)

If you don't get it, tell your current company how disappointed you are and that you are going to leave and would they reduce your notice period. If they say no, tell them that you are leaving anyway on xx date. Though you would be in breach of contract there isn't really anything much they could do against you, they can't seek money from you for example as compensation (unless its money you owe them anyway). The only thing is that if asked if any issues on a reference they could tell a future employer that you did that but I wouldn't have thought many would see it as a big deal.

All depends on how brave you are feeling and how ethical you are. The above is naughty (a bit) but keeps your options open

hmm chocolatekimmy - not a million miles away from what I was thinking - but in my scenario I would resign from my existing job. the internal post is only internal inasmuch as I already work for them iyswim, it's been advertised externally - so resigning from my current job wouldn't mean giving up on the application. and then yes, if I did get offered it go back on my acceptance of the other job. all a bit disingenuous. However I've had a very interesting evening. firstly I bumped into the guy who would be my new boss for the internal job - he told me that I had been shortlisted and explained why there was a bit of a delay. I bit the bullet and said that I was really glad he'd told me that because, then hesitated, and he actually asked - what, you;ve got somtheing else? so I said yes and I needed to let them know soon. he said if there was a problem with the timing let him know and he'd try to hurry things long. then I spoke to the guy who would be my boss in the external job and wangled two and a half weeks out of him before I have to give him a definite answer. so hopefully, one way or another it will get sorted. I'm really quite glad - the new boss seemed really keen to have me, and the internal one seemed to certainly be keen on my application.

well it seems like you did some influential bumping tonight!

Hope it goes well.

Nice to be that wanted - sounds like its all falling in to place. I can see a new thread coming - Two firms fighting over me - just don't know which one to choose!

Now, how did you go about securing a 4 day week? I want part time (3 dyas preferably but 4 days max) but feel that I will have to apply for full time jobs then negotiate if they make me a job offer. Seems a bit sneaky but I think if they want me that much they will agree.

Any tips, or how did you approach them and at what stage of the process?