Don't know what to do about going back - help!

[thelittlestbadger]

I am a solicitor in a city firm. At the moment I am on M/L and am due to go back on 2nd July. I agreed to take a year because the hours are pretty punishing and there are no options other than a full time role. (I'm in a specialist area so no need for PSLs etc and my boss has spelt out the F/T only A LOT).

DH is also a solicitor in a city firm but has been offered an in-house job outside London which he really wants to take. It is commutable from London (just) but would be tricky. We have been planning to move out for a while so wouldn't be a problem and we can stay with family while we sort ourselves out.

DH's job is still going through the security checks and medical but it is getting to the point when I have to hand in my notice - I'm supposed to give 3 months but have some holiday left over. The job isn't likely to be finalised for another 2-3 weeks which will definitely mean I'm giving less notice than I'm meant to and will be a PITA for my work.

I'm trying to work out what to do. I am not terribly keen on going back to my current job as it would be hard work and DH would not be able to help much as he would have a longish commute. Family etc can't help out if we're in London. We can move and stay with family but then I have 3+ hours commuting each day plus standard city hours .

Other option is to quit now and hope a) DH's job comes off and b) I can find something else + child care

Sorry this is so long, but would really welcome any thoughts.

Do you have to give that much notice if you're just not going back after m/l
?

I told them I would be going back as it was before DH had this job offer, so I think now it is a case of resigning rather than not coming back IYSWIM.

I see - tbh I think i would quit now - everything else aside - it wasn't a perfect job for you anymore was it? So even without your dh having a lovely new job you might have been making a change now anyway.

NL you would always have to give whatever your usual notice period is if you decide not to come back, regardless of what you said before going off.

Having said that, I'd be surprised if they actually held you to it littlebadger, would they really make you come back for a month - if it were me I'd release you early, less disruption for all concerned.

I think they would probably be quite relieved I wasn't coming back TBH and wouldn't make me work out the month.

I know they have to be fair about references etc but I don't really want to mess them around by waiting to resign until DH's job is definite as that could be a couple of weeks. I just can't bring myself to rely on the move!