Resigning and not serving a notice period, in order to start new job the next day?

[Keyw007]

Hi everyone smile

So I've gotten myself into a slightly messy situation here.

I have a new unconditional job offer lined up which is due to start next week, however, I have not yet handed in my notice for my current job as I originally was not going to accept it. They have already done the reference checks which passed, as they previously went through my HR. My manager was also aware of this, but after some discussion assumed I was no longer going to accept the job.

However, I now have realised that I would really like to take the new job after all, and it is really too late to give any notice. The new job is due to begin on Monday.,

I know morally I have gotten myself into a very bad situation, however, I was wondering if you think it would be possible for me to send a resignation letter this weekend which can then be read on Monday morning, in order for me to begin the new job? The roles are in different locations and different industries, so I don't think I need to worry about the new job finding out about the circumstances of how I will leave my current job.

If I don't go ahead with the new job, then it won't be a problem contractually, as the contract will be signed and submitted during the first week, but as I said there is an unconditional offer. This is fairly normal for the sector, however.

I would be very grateful for any opinions - thank you very much. I know this is completely unprofessional and I have learned from my mistakes which have brought me to this situation, however.

Why would you think the unconditional offer still stands if you haven’t accepted it?

@Schoolchoicesucks

Have you accepted the new job and Monday start date? That seems strange if you have "only just decided you want to accept it".

Can the new employer be flexible about the start date or are there reasons it would have to be Monday or not at all?

I would hope to be able to agree with new employer to start in, say a week or 2 and to give existing employer a week or 2 notice + holiday rather than leaving them completely in the lurch by not turning up.

Even if you don't need a reference, new employer may be put off by your lack of commitment to a role if it gets back to them that you have done this.

You're right.. especially if they find out during the course of the fixed-term contract (it becomes permanent after 2 years assuming I pass the training).

The lesser of two evils is pulling out of the new job. If they have lots of people starting and training at the same time then it sounds like the kind of role where they might expect some drop off?
There is now way I would risk no reference for a job on a fixed contract. That could follow you for years!!

@flowery

Why would you think the unconditional offer still stands if you haven’t accepted it?

As I mentioned in another reply, it's basically because the actual 'programme sign-up' is due to take place during the first week.

@SimmerDownNow

The lesser of two evils is pulling out of the new job. If they have lots of people starting and training at the same time then it sounds like the kind of role where they might expect some drop off? There is now way I would risk no reference for a job on a fixed contract. That could follow you for years!!

You're right, and apparently, it is normal to have some dropout if people find it isn't the right career path for them. I do know someone already pulled out last week (as we were in the virtual introductory meeting together at the end of last year).

That makes a bit more sense now if the date is for a new cohort of people to start all at the same time. But still I don't understand how you've ended up here. Didn't you know at the end of the working week so you could at least ask on Thursday? Or did you wimp out of it a bit?

@AmberItsACertainty

Tell the new job you're isolating due to covid and can't start yet. That gets you 2wks I think? Go to work for old job for those two weeks, resigning on day one to give them a chance to start looking for someone else. After two weeks start new job, telling old job you're isolating due to covid which sorts out the rest of your notice period.

Wouldn't lying about sick leave escalate the whole matter into fraud? I'm not certain, but I imagine this even risks the DWP getting involved? I would be absolutely screwed if this was to happen.

I am struggling to understand this- you have been offered a job with a start date for Monday but not actually accepted the job? How does the new employer know you (and presumably others on the training) will turn up on Monday? Surely they need to know how many new staff they will be getting as they will have a certain number of posts to fill?

Or maybe I've misunderstood 🤦🏻‍♀️

I agree with those who say don't lie. Don't lie about sick leave, don't lie about covid isolation. Just throw yourself on your employer's mercy ASAP and offer something in return, like a handover meeting in your own time

@Lurkingforawhile

That makes a bit more sense now if the date is for a new cohort of people to start all at the same time. But still I don't understand how you've ended up here. Didn't you know at the end of the working week so you could at least ask on Thursday? Or did you wimp out of it a bit?

You're right, I was basically terrified of having this discussion with my manager with only a few days left. I put it off, and couldn't bring myself to make the phone call. By doing this I've made things 10x worse.

This is really tricky.
If you are certain that you want the new job then it's a shame to have to reject it.

Is there a chance of staying at your current job and reapplying in the future to the new one? Then you can make sure you are certain and don't burn any bridges

@BaronessVonCake

I am struggling to understand this- you have been offered a job with a start date for Monday but not actually accepted the job? How does the new employer know you (and presumably others on the training) will turn up on Monday? Surely they need to know how many new staff they will be getting as they will have a certain number of posts to fill?

Or maybe I've misunderstood 🤦🏻‍♀️

Yeah, so basically it's a training programme (like a grad-scheme), and successful applicants were given an unconditional offer. The actual sign-up to the programme will take place during the first week, at which point you've secured your place on the course. They do assume everyone will turn up on Monday unless they've been told otherwise, so yeah, it's still a very bad situation either way.

You can’t go to the new job on Monday. You just can’t. Best possible (only) thing you could do is email them saying you’re unable to take the role this year “for personal reasons@ and would they consider you for the next intake (guessing next year?).

@Taylrse

This is really tricky. If you are certain that you want the new job then it's a shame to have to reject it.

Is there a chance of staying at your current job and reapplying in the future to the new one? Then you can make sure you are certain and don't burn any bridges

I doubt they would be interested in hiring me again if I let them down, however. So I think either way I will have burnt some bridges here.

I'm struggling to understand this at all to be honest. So you haven't yet accepted the new role and you haven't resigned from your old role. This is really basic stuff. You can't just not turn up to your existing job, you will have to have an open conversation with your boss, if you intend to take the new job.

@dingdang

I'm struggling to understand this at all to be honest. So you haven't yet accepted the new role and you haven't resigned from your old role. This is really basic stuff. You can't just not turn up to your existing job, you will have to have an open conversation with your boss, if you intend to take the new job.

But because of how late I have left it, how and when would I have that conversation with my boss?

Well if your new job is expecting you to start on Monday - and you want the job - then you are going to have to start on Monday.

You will have to write to current job this weekend. As long as you are sure the new job will last 2 years then that is the reference that will matter.

Obviously it’s not ideal - but you must do what’s right for you. Any employer will always get shot of you when they don’t want you around - that doesn’t mean it wouldn’t have been better to be considerate, but you are where you are.

Is this a course or a job? Healthcare? TC?

If you had a burning desire to launch yourself in a new direction you would have resigned weeks ago and done things properly. The fact that you haven't speaks volumes.

That you're wobbling on the Saturday afternoon before the training course starts without you makes it look more like a last minute loss averse panic about what you might be missing out on rather than a commitment.

Calling on Monday to say you're not coming back isn't just burning your bridges, it's taking napalm to them. Word gets around. I wouldn't be doing that for a 2 year course/contract that I was so uncommitted to I hadn't bothered to make a decision until a day and a half before it started.

If it's the kind of 2 year course that has so many people signing up that nobody signs contracts until they do actually show up on week one I doubt they would be that put out about you being one of probably many people deciding not to proceed this time.

Even if you're changing industries, don't most employers require reference for your last two jobs? So you'd still need a reference from your existing employer when you move on from the training course/contract.

@user194729573

Even if you're changing industries, don't most employers require reference for your last two jobs? So you'd still need a reference from your existing employer when you move on from the training course/contract.

Well hopefully after the training programme I will be kept on by the same company (makes sense due to the money they are investing).

@user194729573

Is this a course or a job? Healthcare? TC?

If you had a burning desire to launch yourself in a new direction you would have resigned weeks ago and done things properly. The fact that you haven't speaks volumes.

That you're wobbling on the Saturday afternoon before the training course starts without you makes it look more like a last minute loss averse panic about what you might be missing out on rather than a commitment.

Calling on Monday to say you're not coming back isn't just burning your bridges, it's taking napalm to them. Word gets around. I wouldn't be doing that for a 2 year course/contract that I was so uncommitted to I hadn't bothered to make a decision until a day and a half before it started.

If it's the kind of 2 year course that has so many people signing up that nobody signs contracts until they do actually show up on week one I doubt they would be that put out about you being one of probably many people deciding not to proceed this time.

It is a training programme, basically a grad scheme. But the training part is a 2-year contract. Assuming I pass everything, then it will 90% lead to a full-time position.

I have a nasty feeling that there's no guarantee of a job after the 'training'. Even grad schemes have start dates, contracts, terms and conditions etc. Will you be 'selling' anything...?

Sounds like a scam to be honest. Be careful, you may end up with no job and no pay.

If you are sure about the training contract, then I think you do need to commit to that, even though it does mean letting your previous employer down.

However, I do wonder how sure you are, given that you see to have only just decided.

Also, there are no guarantees about you passing the stages. You say there is 90% chance of a job at the end given what they will have invested in you. Bear in mind that some sectors which operate a training contract programme, need a high number of canon fodder/ cheap and willing hard workers and far fewer more expensive and fully trained roles. So it may not be the sure thing you expect.

Well hopefully after the training programme I will be kept on by the same company (makes sense due to the money they are investing).

That's not how they'll see you. You're just cheap labour. Employers do bulk batches of fixed term training contracts to get cheap workers.

Two year contract and you have to apply for a permanent position at end of contract. Which means if they don't want to keep you for any reason, you're gone.

And the reason may just be that you're not as cheap once qualified...

As for reference, even if you stay with this possible new employer post training, when you move on you'll need previous employer as a referee.