I'm in the lucky position of having been offered a new job - one that I would love, and very good pay and benefits. 2020 has slightly redeemed itself.
I've accepted verbally (they rang me up to offer, and I said 'yes please, subject to contract') and have notified current employer verbally (small company, good relationship most of the time, need a reference and needed to tell boss, also wanted to give boss the heads up asap).
Have received what I guess is an offer letter from HR, setting out basic terms 'subject to references and 3 months' probation' ,they've asked for a letter back to confirm. Separately to this they need to do enhanced DBS and background checks, and that's being handled by a different dept. HR have asked for a letter back to accept, and to let them know my start date (job is open from mid-December, so they'll accept me as soon as I can manage it).
I asked if I get a fuller contract and was told 'usually on the first day'. Seems a bit weird? Would an exchange of letters (as above) constitute a binding agreement? I also asked for details of the pension and private healthcare and was told only the name of the provider, but not the percentage, or the cost to me, or what 'subject to eligibility' means).
Given the climate, I really don't want to take any risks. I'd just negotiated a nice voluntary redundancy package (hadn't signed) but obviously this job is a better move, but don't want to end up giving in my notice and then - for some reason - not actually getting this new job. My current notice period is 1 month but I'm reluctant to give that formally until my new position is rock solid.
It's tricky as the new job is with an organisation who should very much understand the law, so I'm a bit surprised that they're not a bit more 'on it'. Or AIBU?