Accept and start new job or hold off and wait for bonus from current job?

[underboardwalk]

I was recently offered a new job, in a more senior role, which I am very excited about. I haven't handed in my notice at my current workplace yet as my manager is currently away, however, I had to give an indicative start date to the new company to trigger the offer letter. I gave my start date as early March. However, it's only just come to me (I've been in the company nearly 3 years, but this would be only my second bonus so it's not something I'm used to), but I'd be due to receive my bonus at the end of April. It's 10% of my salary, so I don't want to just walk away from this amount of money that I worked hard for last year. I'm not unhappy in my job, but it's dull and my skills are wasted and under-utilised, and the new company is one I've admired for a long time within the industry I'm in, so I don't want to risk losing this opportunity.

I don't think it would look very good asking to delay my start date (by 6 weeks - two months) in order to receive my bonus. However, on a human level, surely they would understand? WWYD?

I think the delay is too long...

I’d at least ask the new employer. We recently delayed start date for someone in same circumstance. The worst thing they can say is “no”.

My sister was recently in a similar position. She told her new employer that she wasn't willing to take up the new post until she'd got her bonus. They offered her the same value of the bonus as a "signing on bonus", to expedite the process. It's worth having the conversation.

*Edited to add that I don't know if they offered the same value of the bonus, as I doubt my sister would have divulged that to them. However, they offered a figure that was in the same ballpark that she was happy to accept. I guess they know from the salary range what bonuses tend to be in the region of, assuming its a similar industry.