Giving in notice after job offer

[GetOrfMyBin]

I posted this in another work topic, which was possibly the wrong place so asking here instead.

I had an interview yesterday for a role that has two different positions available and got a phone call in the evening offering me the part time job instead of the full time job. I asked for the weekend to think about it, as I needed to have a look at finances etc. I asked if there was any opportunity to up the hours a little and the potential new employer is going to call me Monday to discuss, though she doesn’t think that there will be.

I’ve had a look at figures and I think we can make it work, so at this stage I’m looking at accepting the new job verbally on Monday after discussing salary. However the new job will require satisfactory references and a DBS check, which there shouldn’t be a problem with but I wanted advice on how to go about giving notice to my current employer.

My current employer is down as a referee on my application and after the conditional offer has been made they will take up references. Should I make my current employer aware that I have verbally been made an offer and that I will be handing in my written notice in once I’ve got a written offer?

Do I ask the new employer on Monday to send a written offer ASAP and then hand in my written notice, telling new employer that I won’t be giving written notice until I’ve got this? Also the new job are going to ask my current role about my sickness and absence over the past 24 months. I’ve hardly been off sick, but last year my dad died and I was given compassionate leave. Due to the circumstances of his death I wasn’t ready or fit to go back to work, so was signed off for a further 7 days. Additionally my father in law died at the end of the year and I was given another few days compassionate leave. Do I mention this to new employer on Monday or not?

I don’t want new employer to think I’m being awkward, but I just want to make sure I’m covered on all sides.

Thank you in advance

Should I make my current employer aware that I have verbally been made an offer and that I will be handing in my written notice in once I’ve got a written offer?.

Personally, I would hold off. Ensure you have written offer in your hand first, even if by email with letter in post to follow. Don't do anything until you get that written confirmation. I would ask your new employer to send you that before they contact your current company. They will know they have to abide by your wishes and not to jeopardise your employment.

If you've got this far, your "reference" is likely to only be a confirmation of dates of employment and role title. Few organisations nowadays give chapter and verse about performance, but as you've found out they may be interested in attendance. They tend to ask something like "Has Getorf taken less than 21 day's absence in the past 24 months or more than 21 days ... " etc. As you've only taken about 10 days compassionate, over the 2 year period, you'll be well within the tolerance. I don't see you have anything to worry about so don't mention it. You've done nothing wrong. Life happens, sorry for your losses.

Well done getting the job!

always get the offer in writing (or email) before you hand in your notice

I work in recruitment in schools and previously NHS and the advice we give is to not officially resign until you have it confirmed that your pre-employment checks are complete and the offer is no unconditional - it is highly likely you won't get this in worrying, you will get a conditional offer letter only in my experience.

Depending on when references were requested (Schools usually request prior to interview for all candidates but NHS only request for successful candidate) I would verbally tell your employer you have been offered a post. Make it clear this isn't your official notice as you can't give that until satisfactory pre-employment checks have been completed but you wanted to show them the curtesy of keeping them up to date.

They are highly likely to find out from other means otherwise - ref request, social media, other colleagues etc. It looks much more professional to come from you.

Sorry for typos, trying to supervise my daughter emptying the dishwasher and eat my breakfast at the same time!

They are highly likely to find out from other means otherwise - ref request, social media, other colleagues etc

This is an assumption based on the OP being silly enough to blab on social media or talk about their plans with other people before telling their line manager. It doesn't sound like they are that careless.

Thank you all, I appreciate your replies.

I will ask the new employer to hold off requesting current employer reference until I have conditional offer in writing in that case, then I will verbally tell current employer. I definitely want to tell current employer before they receive any request.

The new job is only a temporary role for 6 months, but this will fit in with our plans as we’ve confirmed this weekend that we’re moving area over summer, so I want to start as soon as possible and my notice period is a month.

In terms of the sickness and absence over two years I’ve had possibly slightly more than 21 days (I think 22/23 days made up of 9 compassionate, 7 days signed off after my dad died, 1 unpaid leave due to ill child, 2 days off with a sickness virus, 2 days off due to D&V and then 1 day off with toothache resulting in my tooth getting pulled). The sickness/d&v/toothache was all in the first year of employment. Do I still not mention it?

I would say to my boss that I have been offered a new job and pending formal offer will hand in notice in due course. It's common decency to tell them but that doesn't mean you have to hand in your notice at the same time. They will find out when they ask for references too and that wouldn't go down well if you haven't told them.

It sounds like you need to tell them about your sickness days and compassionate leave days - as odd days here and there always score more highly in the sickness absence stakes than single chunks of time.

I think it's important to separate "common decency" from this situation.

It shouldn't be seen as not being "decent" if you decide not to say anything for a while longer. You've made your decision that's right for you, OP and that's good, but I wouldn't want anyone else reading this to think they were doing something wrong by not wishing to say anything directly. It's a tricky time and make no bones about it, the balance of power is more frequently on the employers side because it isn't their personal job offer that's "conditional".

The notice period is designed to look for a replacement, giving them even more "notice" is optional not mandatory.

Make sure you let them know as soon as possible not to request references until you have given them the go ahead - references are usually the check that takes longest to get back (sometimes it's the DBS but more often it's these). So they will want to get them requested ASAP.

Depending on how big the organisation is you have applied - therefore how much recruitment they do - you are likely to be waiting at least a week for your offer letter.

Good Luck OP, I hope you can get started in your new post soon.

Oh and it's usually only sickness they ask for so your companionate and unpaid leave won't count. I don't usually supply reasons as most don't ask but if I spot a week issue to bereavement I would say so. I think that only leaves you with two periods one bereavement so really shouldn't matter and not a deal breaker.