Ethical question

Zelazny

Hi

Hypothetically speaking, a person is invited to interviews for two different jobs, and knows that one of the jobs will get back to them quickly and the other will take weeks.

If that person is offered the first job, is it ok to accept it even knowing that if they are offered the second job they will take that instead?

Does it complicate it if one of the jobs is with your current employer?

Emmzi

when you have a second firm unconditional job offer you say to first employer during probation period "Thanks, but this isn't working out for me." Unless you like first job more than you thought you would, in which case you stay put.

Zelazny

Good idea - I'd feel bad, but it works. Thank you :-)

Hezzawithkids

I am assuming that you would prefer the second job? You are quite within your rights to quit the first job if the second/preferred role is offered and you want to take it, I see it all the time. As Emmzi said, you will probably still be on probation with the first job anyway, which is supposed to be the period when either party can call it quits with minimum notice or hassle.

If they ask at the interview for the first job if you are interviewing for any other role its best to be honest and say Yes, though you are not obliged to reveal any details.

Zelazny

Still speaking purely hypothetically of course, I've already had the interviews and the question wasn't asked. The only thing that complicates it is that the first job is with the company that I currently work for - so I probably wouldn't be on probation.

Right now, there's no guarantee that I'd be offered either, but if I were to get offered the first I'd take it (it's probably no more money than I'm on now but looks more interesting). If I were subsequently offered the second, I'd probably have to take that as well (it pays a lot more, and I kinda do need the money). I'd feel bad messing the first group around, but I don't see another way to do it. I know that either way I'll still have to serve out my notice with my current employer.

I almost hope that I only get offered one of them :-)

JimmyTheWig

The first company will frown upon you.
If everything works out fine with the second job and you stay there for years then that won't be a problem.
But if it all falls through with the second job a few months down the line then you will be either wanting your old job back or wanting a decent reference from them. If you messed them around they might not be too happy with either.

Difficult one.

Emmzi

if you get both you then say to first job, "look, I am finding newjob really interesting but X has offered me 5 grand more a year. Is there anything you can do on pay?"

Zelazny

Emmzi wrote: »

if you get both you then say to first job, "look, I am finding newjob really interesting but X has offered me 5 grand more a year. Is there anything you can do on pay?"

That was my thinking, but I know that they won't match it. I'd still give them the chance

Emmzi

If you give them a chance, then there can be no bad blood

Badger_Lady

Emmzi is the oracle on this thread! Everything she's said is perfect

Uncertain

Maybe I'm missing something but I'm struggling to see the "ethical" dimension here!

Surely the two relevant criteria are the legal position and any adverse reaction you might provoke for an employer.

Obviously if you would prefer to work elsewhere then all you need to do is give your current employer whatever notice is contractually required.

This is just as true if you have not actually started the job yet. If you have agreed a contract, but then get a better offer, then you are duty bound to give the first employer whatever notice you have signed up to. In all probability they will not want you to start and work for a couple of weeks but there are some situations where they might. I suppose you could call this "ethical" but it is actually a legal obligation and you could (in theory) be sued if you did otherwise.