Been offered another job - Qs about handing in my notice

Mr_Incredible

So after a couple of interviews I've been offered another job.

The offer letter will arrive via email today, not sure of this comprises or comes with an actual contract.

Anyway, I've been in my current job about 5 years and I'm a little nervous about putting in my notice. My questions are;

1) Does an offer letter, accepted by me via email, create a binding contract on the new employer?
2) when should I put my notice in here
3)My notice period is two months I believe, but honestly I'd like a week or two off in between jobs, regardless of pay, so can I put my notice in and say I'd like to leave earlier?

Aprreciate any help

getmore4less

You need an unconditional contract before resigning.


Even then they can just not have you start so it is always a risk.


Are they happy with potentially 3 months to a start date?


resign when ready but make sure you know your notice obligations.


You can ask to have shorter notice but usually better to see if there is an offer to release early better chance of getting paid.


To get out early be cooperative with handovers and recruitment.

Mr_Incredible

I work in local government and this would be another local government job elsewhere. I'm on two months notice but was thinking of saying "can I go after six"

I've read online that an offer letter is binding once accepted.

getmore4less

Does it come with continuity of employement?


Even if binding statutory notice starts at nill unless you have contiunuity from previous employemets they just put you on notice before you start end result no job.

Danfuss

The offer letter, when it arrives, may be conditional on receiving satisfactory references from your current employer. Presumably these will not be taken up until after you indicate acceptance of this offer?
In which case, it would be a good idea and good practice to raise the prospect of the new job and your preferred leaving date with your current employer as soon as you accept the (conditional) offer.
Are you sure that you are required to give 2 months’ notice of leaving to your current employer and not the other way round after 5 years’ service?

Undervalued

getmore4less wrote: »

Even if binding statutory notice starts at nill unless you have contiunuity from previous employemets they just put you on notice before you start end result no job.

It does but the OP's new contract would almost certainly specify a period of notice. Assuming it does that would then be binding on the employer one the offer has been accepted. However that would likely only be a month or perhaps three at most.

I agree though, except in rare cases where special terms are agreed, the concept of an "unconditional offer" is almost meaningless.

Mr_Incredible

Danfuss wrote: »

The offer letter, when it arrives, may be conditional on receiving satisfactory references from your current employer. Presumably these will not be taken up until after you indicate acceptance of this offer?
In which case, it would be a good idea and good practice to raise the prospect of the new job and your preferred leaving date with your current employer as soon as you accept the (conditional) offer.
Are you sure that you are required to give 2 months’ notice of leaving to your current employer and not the other way round after 5 years’ service?

This is a correct reflection of my circumstances and I have indeed now handed my notice in. It is two months which is standard in Local Government at my level.

The offer is subject to two refrences from my current employer, and I have cited my line manager and his manager who oversaw my most recent appraisal, which was favourable.

Everyone is on good terms and I'm now just trying to make things easy for my current employer in terms of handover.

Thank you