Hand in notice only when formal offer received?

[BackwardsGoing]

I was offered a new job (verbally, followed up by some email correspondence about salary and references) about 10 days ago and now I'm waiting for my formal offer and contract.

I really do need these before handing my notice in, don't I? I have a meeting with my LM today where it's going to be hard to keep quiet...

Yes - cards close to your chest until it's official!

In these uncertain times, yes, say nothing until your new job is signed and sealed.

Yes do or say nothing until you get it in writing.

Yes, definitely dont resign until you have written confirmation of job offer and contract.

Really? I've never had a new contract before starting a job.

I do wait till my references are back and a start date agreed, but not a contract

I never resign until I have signed the new contract of employment and my new employer has got it back.

Thanks, really keen to let them know and negotiate a shorter notice period so I needed to read this advice!

I'd maybe contact the new employer and say you're keen to start and are they able to expedite the paperwork so you can give your notice as it's xxx weeks/months and you're hoping to negotiate it perhaps

Can't do any harm

@Hellokitty82 yes I emailed HR today. Not able to contact them by phone as they're all working remotely.

Now I need to invent a reason why I asked my LM for a meeting I put one in our diaries because they get booked up really quickly, in anticipation of having my offer by now!

Absolutely don't say or do anything unTIL you have the new job offer and the correct terms and conditions in writing.

I've absolutely never had a contract before I've started work and I work in HR!

However I would wait for a formal email offer.

Aaah I'm beginning to doubt the need to wait. I've had emails from my new LM confirming my new salary and a couple of other things. This isn't enough is it?

I had a conditional offer of employment on 2nd July and no formal offer yet. I suspect the PVG is holding it up. I've definitely not resigned yet and am not going to until I get a formal offer. Am hoping my current employer will not make me work my full notice - am furloughed anyway so shouldn't be a problem.

Wait until contracts are signed

Until then, they can always cancel without warning

Especially atm, with so many people scrambling after much fewer jobs,
do not take the risk of leaving yourself suddenly unemployed

Once you hand in notice, depending on the business, you may even find they want rid of you asap and you get sent home with pay.

Employers have to issue contracts within 8 weeks of start date, I’m in HR and we don’t issue contracts pre start, just an offer letter setting out main terms of employment.

Don’t you need to tell your line manager they will be contacting them for a reference? This usually happens before the formal offer in jobs I have been in.

@Mummysgonetobed yes an offer letter more than a contract.

One reference has been taken up but the other is my LM and they won't contact them until I've told them I'm leaving. That's standard practice.

Please wait - I handed my notice in March as I had a job offer emailed, week later it was retracted and I am still trying to find another job. Hindsight is a great thing!

@Teacaketotty oh I'm sorry! What happened? Bastards!

@BackwardsGoing thank you.

Just with Covid and lockdown happening around then, it was postponed indefinitely! I’ve promised myself never to hand in notice until I have a contract - I’m sure all will work out for you, good luck x

@Mummysgonetobed

Employers have to issue contracts within 8 weeks of start date, I’m in HR and we don’t issue contracts pre start, just an offer letter setting out main terms of employment.

..... That's very unfair to the employee if you can rescind the offer before they start, or indeed shortly afterwards

Fortunately, I never came across an employer like that
(but I've worked mostly in Germany which generally has more worker protection)

I hipe this works out ok for you, backwardsgoing
and I hope you find a good job v soon, Teacaketotty

We don't make offers until we've had the references. Makes it hard regarding timing though...

I wouldn't give notice until I had the formal offer in writing, subject only to the final reference, which is your line manager. Especially in the current job market, which is pretty non existent for many.

@BigChocFrenzy thank you, I have two interviews lined up so fingers crossed 👍🏻