Is it too early to resign?

[flakeypaul]

I've recently (tuesday evening) been offered a truly fantastic job. My new employer was really impressed with what I can do and is really looking forward to me starting. During the phone call she stated that she expects me (having given 4 weeks notice at my current job) to start on the 4th July. For that to happen I need to resign this week.

Unfortunately I'm on the early shift this week and my letter offering me the job 'in writing' hasn't yet arrived (she said to expect it tomorrow so it will arrive at 1.00pm which is an hour before I leave work!).

I'm in two minds as to whether to wait before I hand my notice in until I have the letter in my hand and risk upsetting my new employer by starting late or whether just to quit anyway as I'm certain the letter will arrive.

What's PH's valuable opinion on this one? Does anyone know legally where I stand in both cases i.e. without the letter do I even have a new job to go to and if so do I have a legal right to retract my notice?

[AJS-]

I would be very loathed to quit before having an offer in writing.

Unless your current employer is a real sod about it you should be able to negotiate an exit at the right time, perhaps by using up some annual leave if possible.

You could ask the new employer to email you a scanned copy, which would give you something. Or you could ask them to courier it straight to you at work if this would be at all possible?

Could you not go back in in the afternoon and hand your notice in when you have the letter?

[Davel]

Could she email it to you as an attachment?

Explain to her that you really need this in order to resign your current post.

[flakeypaul]

Going back in the afternoon is an option (which I've considered!) except the boss has a habit of disappearing very early on a friday! I suppose I could always text him

[AJS-]

flakeypaul said:

Going back in the afternoon is an option (which I've considered!) except the boss has a habit of disappearing very early on a friday! I suppose I could always text him

Not by text. Face to face is best, but you could call him in a real pinch.

Why don't you ask him in the morning if you can speak to him in the afternoon?

[Soovy]

flakeypaul said:

I've recently (tuesday evening) been offered a truly fantastic job. My new employer was really impressed with what I can do and is really looking forward to me starting. During the phone call she stated that she expects me (having given 4 weeks notice at my current job) to start on the 4th July. For that to happen I need to resign this week.

Unfortunately I'm on the early shift this week and my letter offering me the job 'in writing' hasn't yet arrived (she said to expect it tomorrow so it will arrive at 1.00pm which is an hour before I leave work!).

I'm in two minds as to whether to wait before I hand my notice in until I have the letter in my hand and risk upsetting my new employer by starting late or whether just to quit anyway as I'm certain the letter will arrive.

What's PH's valuable opinion on this one? Does anyone know legally where I stand in both cases i.e. without the letter do I even have a new job to go to and if so do I have a legal right to retract my notice?

DO NOT RESIGN UNTIL YOU HAVE SIGNED THE CONTRACT FOR YOUR NEW JOB. EVER.

[Some Gump]

+1 for soovy.

I once had a "firm" verbal offer, would recieve the letter within 48 hours. 4 months later, I started my new job - took 3 months to get a signature somewhere higher in the HR chain.

Bird in the hand and all that!

[flakeypaul]

Yeah that's my main worry! It's a big company and they're taking on 50 new staff (although I'm the only one in the dept. I'll be working in) so the HR dept. will be working overtime on it all but would hate to let them down at the first chance by starting late but as has been said until you have a job offer in writing you don't really have a job!

I just know how awkward my current employer is going to be about it all! I suppose I can always wait till tomorrow afternoon and if nothing comes in the post I can soon dirve over there for a copy - both companies are within 10 miles of my house so it's not too tall an order!

[poo at Paul's]

you can take holiday in lieu of notice if you ahve any due.

[flakeypaul]

I've actually got what will be week 4 of my notice booked off as a holiday - whether I still get it take it is yet to be seen! I can see this getting ugly!

[Soir]

Don't risk it. If they cannot email it to you then delay your start date by a week

[zaphod42]

Soovy said:

DO NOT RESIGN UNTIL YOU HAVE SIGNED THE CONTRACT FOR YOUR NEW JOB. EVER.

Listen to this man.

If she wants to you start on that date, it's her challenge to get the job offer to you in writing. If she pressures you, ask her if she would resign with similar uncertainty?
Contract = commitment

Oh, and just to be clear - is she sending you an offer in writing for acceptance subject to contract, or a contract for signature?

[Rutter]

I start my new role on the 13th of june, they wanted me to start on the 6th but took with delays in getting my offer and contract sent out I told them they would have to wait another week, if they really want you then they will be happy to wait.

[h0b0]

Why is it do essential for you to start so soon? Will you be able to completely fulfil the role when you start or is there training? If there is no fixed reason for this date i would be pissed off by the new company. I hire and sometimes fire people and when I am hiring I don't put pressure on the new hire to quit. I've normally been in a bind for some time and a week here and there makes no real difference.

[Engineer1]

If they are anything like my current employer they want to fill the gap quick so aiming for the 4th and moving it a week or two back if paperwork is delayed is easier than aiming for the 25th and trying to pull it forward, and works better at getting things moved along like signed letters by return of post etc. Also start of the month could be a pay and holiday thing why make it awkward if you can start someone on the first Monday of the month?

[flakeypaul]

Paperwork was sent out in todays post to arrive tomorrow due to volume. I asked them for it today and they bent over backwards to get it to me - fantastic.

Notice now handed in, new job accepted, all dates to be met - all is well!

Just can't wait to get going!!

Thanks for the advice though guys - you can always rely on PH!

[HowMuchLonger]

AJS- said:

I would be very loathed to quit before having an offer in writing.

This....Do not resign until you have another job, or you can afford not to have a job.

[prand]

flakeypaul said:

Paperwork was sent out in todays post to arrive tomorrow due to volume. I asked them for it today and they bent over backwards to get it to me - fantastic.

Notice now handed in, new job accepted, all dates to be met - all is well!

Just can't wait to get going!!

Thanks for the advice though guys - you can always rely on PH!

Good luck, doing this. I'd be really, really reluctant to hand in my notice until the contract & job offer had landed on my doorstep, and I'd agreed T&Cs, returned it and had confirmation of receipt too.

I hope it all goes well for you. Worst case is that your offer is withdrawn before you respond, less worse is that salary, benefits, job location are different to what you previously agreed. It's not nice having to crawl back on your knees to your current employer for your old job back.

[flakeypaul]

They'd have me back in a heartbeat! Won't be necessary though - they've done a lot today to cover all bases. I'm impressed tbh!

[sharpfocus]

Soovy said:

DO NOT RESIGN UNTIL YOU HAVE SIGNED THE CONTRACT FOR YOUR NEW JOB. EVER.

Doh!