Do employers appreciate honesty? Probation coming up, would like to extend and leave.

[AgualusasL0ver]

My new job hasn't lived up to expectations for a number of reasons. I have my probationary review coming up, and I want to tell my manager that I am not happy and that I will look for a new role giving them as much notice as possible, potentially longer than probation notice if I can. Its a nice place and the people are all nice. It just isn't for me.

I am a sort of middle people manager, and in review cycle so I plan to see that through, which would be mid Nov as I don't want to let my team down and not be able to deliver their feedback. But, I do feel I need to flag now and say I am looking elsewhere but wanting to do a good handover and not leave anyone in the lurch. It is mat contract anyway and the person is due back in Feb, so hopefully disruption is minimal.

I just don't like sneaking around for interviews and would rather be upfront, but I don't want to risk her saying that I leave immediately.

I agree with everything everyone said before; they don't seem to be the type of employer to take your feedback/leaving constructively, at all.

In the past, I've had really good employers get super irrational and throw their toys violently out of the pram as soon as they realised that I was looking elsewhere (and we were operating under a cloud of potential upcoming redundancy!)

Who cares if they appreciate honesty, when it comes to work, apart from doing what's required of you in the role and doing a good job, you should keep your cards close to your chest and put yourself first.

I ask myself "how does this serve me?" and if the answer is, "it doesnt", I don't do it.

give feedback in your review but definitely don't say you are looking elsewhere!

I know what you mean, but honestly I am miserable every single day, every single task is now a real effort no matter how benign, February feels like 2028 right now.

Say nothing. Believe me they wouldn't think twice about dropping you like a stone.

If you won't leave before November and your contract is up in Feb, just wait it out. Be honest once you're substantive, therefore more secure. I always appreciate honesty in my teams and often grow mine into their next jobs etc.

Think about it, you say your looking to leave, they will start looking to recruit, what if they find a suitable candidate for you find another role? You will be out of a job. You’d be completely shooting yourself in the foot.
And if this isn’t the scenario you envisage, what’s the point in giving them a heads up. You might not find anything until Feb but you’ve made yourself disposable in the meantime.

You could point out some of the flaws in the interim. Ie do I really have to clear every email with you? What’s to point in paying me if you then have to check everything I do? It’s a waste of money.

Surely you would leave anyway if only covering maternity ?

I don't think they would back fill at this point. The person went on leave in Feb this year, I started in June as it took them that long to find me and the checks took best part of a month. The team was split between others in the meantime which is what I think they would do. They could still just tell me to leave immediately for sure.

I've got all my feelers out and have contacted all my various networks and have started applying.

Yes, but in June. There might also have been opportunities to stay in another capacity, but even the company vibe is not me, so I don't think I would, though it was something I was open to.

Based on this then don’t say anything until you have found the right role in that type of environment

you are completely over thinking this and trying to be too nice and imagining you ‘owe’ them honesty.

They would get rid of you in an instant if a round of redundancy’s came along - you are literally a number on a spreadsheet. That is the way it works.

You DON’T owe them anything. They sound dreadful and you are unhappy. Just focus on a strategic move here that is in your own best interests and not theirs

They will just etminate you on the spot if you do this. Also why would thry pay you fot taking interview time. You will have to sneak around for interviews. Its just how it is. Also if you dont find anything right away then you could be stuck without a job.

Thanks all. I have just had a recruiter call me actually which has cheered me right up, even if this is not the one.

Never tell an employer more than they absolutely need to now about your private business - in this case that you are seeking another role. Make your dis-satisfaction clear during the hand over process (after you have secured a new job and references are done) when they cant do anything about it.

I am very clearly overthinking so just going to calm down, do what I have to and quietly focus on exiting with dignity.

Say nothing, you can still resign after passing your probation period and anything can happen between now and finding a new job so keep quiet.
You have a notice period which should give them sufficient notice.

Well, the job that called earlier want to interview me next week, my boss from my previous role has said he will speak to the relevant people to see if I can go back, I've been in touch with a few of the people I dealt with client side in a previous role who are looking at things and generally have my network supporting me, so I feel I can get through a rather mammoth task that I need to do but was feeling totally unmotivated for.

Don’t say anything and make sure you get through probation, you don’t want them telling a potential new employer in your reference you had your probation extended. If they know you want to leave they my just get rid of you at that meeting etc. Most new employers would like it’s fishy you leaving around 6month mark.

I can tell a new employer it is a 6 month contract, the only references are job title and dates. I don't mind saying it was a contract and it was a promotion but I prefer the actual job to managing a team doing the actual job (the truth basically). It is the sort of role you can grow and diversify in without having to climb the ladder per se.

No don’t tell them. But if you want to be nice then tell them as soon as you’ve accepted another offer and give them the longest possible notice period you can (without annoying your new employer).

There is no harm is giving them some gentle feedback about what you’ve noticed and suggestions for improvement - that adds real value and helps them and provides the transparency and honesty you mention
but I wouldn’t say you are looking elsewhere

good luck!

Only give notice when you are about to leave. Never earlier. It's up to the employer to plan to 'minimize disruptions'.
Think about it, if you hate the job now, when the team thinks you're staying with them, how will you be treated once you told them you're out?
Bad employer is more likely to tell you to just leave ASAP.

Onto the second part - no, employers don't value honesty. If the work environment is this bad, many people will know and mentioned it already. They want to keep it that way. This likely leads all up to the senior management. HR won't do anything, they are there to protect the company
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Look for a new job now, but don’t tell them. Resign in accordance with your contract.

Checked my contract and have two weeks notice. I am so very, very tempted, but of course I know it is silly to leave. I do need money coming in so I cannot.