Emailing about start date

[sdfghjhgfj]

I have been offered a choice between two start dates. Is it ok to select the later date (2 weeks later) simply because I would rather have more time to prepare or would I need to justify why I need the later start date?

Thank you

Sorry is this for a job - do you know why two specific dates have been given rather than just a range or 'asap', is that because there are specific training courses starting on those date or you start as part of a cohort?

I would say in the absence of any further context, if they've given you the choice of 2 dates, it would be fine to pick the later date. I wouldn't necessarily say it's 'to give you time to prepare', as a manager if someone said that to me, perhaps unfairly/unreasonably, it would give me the impression they are a bit flaky and/or not that keen on the job, I get what you mean by it but I would usually expect someone to have all their childcare arrangements or whatever in place and ready to go by the stage we're agreeing a start date. Generally when I am recruiting someone it's because there's a need for that additional person/work right now, so when discussing start dates it's 'how soon can you start' and the sooner the date they say the better, but of course people have things going on in their lives so I am perfectly prepared to wait for them (within reason), I'm not a monster .

I think if I was you I would simply say 'I'd like to start on 1st March [obviously insert correct date here] if that is OK please' or if pressed for/required to give a reason, 'the 1st of March suits me better for personal reasons'...

@maxelly

Sorry is this for a job - do you know why two specific dates have been given rather than just a range or 'asap', is that because there are specific training courses starting on those date or you start as part of a cohort?

I would say in the absence of any further context, if they've given you the choice of 2 dates, it would be fine to pick the later date. I wouldn't necessarily say it's 'to give you time to prepare', as a manager if someone said that to me, perhaps unfairly/unreasonably, it would give me the impression they are a bit flaky and/or not that keen on the job, I get what you mean by it but I would usually expect someone to have all their childcare arrangements or whatever in place and ready to go by the stage we're agreeing a start date. Generally when I am recruiting someone it's because there's a need for that additional person/work right now, so when discussing start dates it's 'how soon can you start' and the sooner the date they say the better, but of course people have things going on in their lives so I am perfectly prepared to wait for them (within reason), I'm not a monster .

I think if I was you I would simply say 'I'd like to start on 1st March [obviously insert correct date here] if that is OK please' or if pressed for/required to give a reason, 'the 1st of March suits me better for personal reasons'...

Thank you for your reply.

I think it's due to training as they are hiring a lot of new employees at once so I think they want us all starting on specific days to be trained all together.

In an informal conversation with HR the later date was the one given to me as my proposed start date so it has always been the date I have mentally prepared for. The earlier start date is next week so it has kind of startled me as I was expecting a few more weeks still.

I will reply with what you suggested as that sounds perfect, thank you.