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Original poster

WWYD - job offer and existing position

22 replies

rightsofwomen · 03/07/2017 14:17

I have a job. I have been told my contract will be renewed on 31st July. I need to chase this up (academia - all very casual and fine, I have no reason to believe there will be a problem).

I have just been offered another job, for which I am yet to see terms and conditions of ie I am unable to make a decision.

The person I need to chase up for my existing contract renewal was given as a reference when I applied for the new position.

I don't know whether he has been approached.

I don't know whether to behave as if I don't have a job offer and just ask him to chase renewal or to contact prospective new employers to ask whether they have approached him for a reference. If yes, then I can write my email differently.

Or I suppose he might think that I didn't get offered the position.

Is it unethical to chase a renewal when I have a job offer?

All compounded by fact I am taking 2 weeks leave from this w/e so less time to play with.

All people are only contactable by email so no face to face discussions possible though I could skype.

OP posts:

Hastalapasta · 03/07/2017 14:19

Ask to see the terms, via email of course. Then make a decision.
I would also chase up the renewal, especially if you have limited time!
Don't worry about the references.

Original poster

rightsofwomen · 03/07/2017 14:21

Terms and conditions are on their way, but I've been told might not be with me until end of the week, leaving me my holiday time to ponder.

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EBearhug · 03/07/2017 15:16

Assuming all else (i.e. Ts&Cs) were equal, which job would you prefer? Would have gone for the new job if your contract hadn't been coming to an end? Would you be happy to stay at the old job if the renewal comes through?

Depending on how you answer that should give you an idea of which one to focus on when you do the chasing.

Don't assume anything unless you have the paperwork in your hands, and keep your options open until you have got paperwork confirming you have a job.

flowery · 03/07/2017 16:38

"I don't know whether to behave as if I don't have a job offer"

Presumably he knows you've applied for the job, if you asked if you could put him as a reference? And as it seems to be a post where your references aren't taken up until offer stage, aren't you planning on telling him you've been offered the job so he knows to expect a reference request?

You can't surely be planning for your current boss to find out you're (potentially) leaving from your new employer rather than from you directly?

Have I misunderstood?

Original poster

rightsofwomen · 03/07/2017 20:42

flowery The reference has been on my cv a while and will stay unless I hear otherwise, or I move jobs, so no I didn't tell him I was applying for a job.
No, I don't know when or even if references are asked for.

I don't think you've misunderstood, but I can only think we work in very different fields.

In my field my boss would not be shocked to receive a reference request if he's agreed to be on a cv. I would expect him to be discreet.
I am in a grant funded position (like the vast majority of my peers), which is an uncertain world so people are often applying for positions - just keeping their feelers out.

bear if all T&Cs were the same I would stay in this job, I am very happy. But I already know the new position is permanent (as long as there is grant money), whereas at the moment I am on a rolling 1 year contract (complicated US/UK remote working situation). They will offer me more money as they know I won't leave this job otherwise.
The downside is possibly more frequent travel, which I very much enjoy but is logistically very hard.

OP posts:

flowery · 03/07/2017 21:40

I work in lots and lots of fields. Including education. I don't think I've ever come across a working environment where it wouldn't be considered a common courtesy to at least give a referee a heads-up that they were about to be asked for a reference as you've been offered a job.

I just think most people would expect to find out their employee is leaving from the employee themselves. And I find the idea of "behaving as though you don't have a job offer" very odd. No idea why you would do that!

Anyway, it's clear my advice isn't going to be useful so I wish you all the best with either a renewal or a new job.

daisychain01 · 04/07/2017 03:19

For the WWYD question - I'd keep both my options open, progress chase the job offer and your contract renewal, just in case there's an opportunity to make a choice.

daisychain01 · 04/07/2017 03:20

And try not to let it disrupt your holiday - no point worrying, enjoy the break! It will all still be there when you get back

TooDamnSarky · 04/07/2017 14:02

I am an academic and have been in your bosses position many times.
I agree wth Flowery 100%. (Both posts)

Original poster

rightsofwomen · 04/07/2017 17:16

You mean you have been in the position of being approached for a reference having not known the employee was applying for a job?

If this has happened 100s of times maybe it's indicative of the difficult situation employees find themselves in.

I tell my boss I've been offered a job and then maybe my contract won't be renewed after all. Then I decide not to take new job.

I don't even know it he's been approached. If he hasn't and I decide not to take the new one he will never know and the boat will not have been rocked.

OP posts:

Original poster

rightsofwomen · 04/07/2017 20:09

I have written to my boss.

I just hope he renews my contract.

OP posts:

TooDamnSarky · 04/07/2017 23:10

Sorry that I wasn't clear.
I meant that I've often been in the position of being a referee for someone in your particular employment situation.
I have NEVER been in the situation where I was asked for a reference for a job without prior warning from the employee.
Unless your boss is a complete arse I'd advise being completely clear about the choice you are facing. Give them a chance to persuade you to stay!

Original poster

rightsofwomen · 05/07/2017 11:01

Thanks for clarifying. To be clear, since I asked my boss to be a reference on my cv some time ago I would take that as having given prior warning.

Anyway, he emailed back. He hasn't been asked for a reference and had no idea I was applying for the job or had been offered it.

He would love me to stay but has been honest in saying that he can't offer me the permanent position (and the pay increase) that the new job offers. I knew that.

I just have to hope he'll renew my existing contract now otherwise I'm fucked for Aug!

OP posts:

EBearhug · 05/07/2017 11:47

Is he aware you'd rather stay if the contract comes through, and that you'very applied for the other mostly because you need an income if they can't renew?

Original poster

rightsofwomen · 05/07/2017 12:44

Absolutely.

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Original poster

rightsofwomen · 05/07/2017 15:10

email just in saying he'll get me a new contract for 1st Aug.

Hoorah...I can pay the mortgage!

[and breathe]

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Hastalapasta · 05/07/2017 16:08

Good news!

TooDamnSarky · 05/07/2017 22:19

How long have you been on short term contracts with your current employer?
Unis are notoriously bad at completely ignoring employment law when it comes to people in your situation.

Original poster

rightsofwomen · 06/07/2017 09:33

This will be my 4th 1 year contract. It's a US university and I have a complicated contract.

I am in my mid 40s and have been in the same field all my working life. I've never had a contract for more than 5 years. Grant funded science.

OP posts:

TooDamnSarky · 06/07/2017 13:32

That sucks. Hope you find something a bit longer term soon.

Original poster

rightsofwomen · 06/07/2017 15:41

Well I already have! Just hoping the T&Cs are OK. I love to travel and this post may involve more than I do currently, but I am a single parent so it can be tricky.

I do feel better for being open with my boss though, so thank you flowery, your posts did make me think.

OP posts:

Original poster

rightsofwomen · 14/08/2017 13:17

Soooooo, I still haven't seen the terms and conditions for the new job, though have received formal job offer (including salary).

She has explained that it can take a while (UK-Hong Kong contract), but they were hoping to have them with me by the end of July, then in another week and last week I was told "soon" as they are just translating them.

Would you email again this week just to check in and if so, what would I say, or just leave it?

OP posts:

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