Changing mind about job after signing contract?

Loopy28

I signed a contract with a new employer as I was looking to progress my career and felt I had gone as high as I could in my current company because there had been no higher job opportunities in some time and no staff looked likely to leave.

However, my current company have now offered me a promotion and a massive salary increase to try and persuade me to stay.

I feel awful as I have signed the contract with the new company. The contract is conditional upon successful references etc. Not sure what the situation is if I change my mind. Looking at notice periods during probation, I have to give them 1 month, they have to give me 1 week (unfair but hey ho I signed the contract).

But the job and salary in my current company is an amazing opportunity.

What are other people's thoughts, what would you do?

ohreally

Loopy28 wrote: »

What are other people's thoughts, what would you do?

I would move on. Your current employer has had years to recognise you and chose to do nothing.

On-ward and up-ward.

Loopy28

Thank you for your reply.

My current employer have promoted me twice since starting with them and have put me through a qualification so I would say they have recognised and rewarded me in the past.

There have just been no vacancies to go any higher but as it turns out (unknown to me previously) they said they were about to advertise this new job role internally anyway...

TBagpuss

The first question is what do you want to do?

If you want to take the new job, then thank your existing employer for their offer and for the opportunities they have given you so far, explain you've already accepted the new job and feel you should keep your word, and move on.

If you would prefer to stay and take the promotion then you need to contact the new employer, and tell them you wish you withdraw your acceptance.

Read the contract to see what it says. Have you actually signed a contract, or is it simply an acceptance of an offer?

They will be legitimately annoyed, which may have an impact in future if you were to apply there again. While they would potentially be able to demand that you work your notice they are unlikely to do so as there would be no point. They might ask you to pay them a months wages in lieu of notice.

martinsurrey

Loopy28 wrote: »

Thank you for your reply.

My current employer have promoted me twice since starting with them and have put me through a qualification so I would say they have recognised and rewarded me in the past.

There have just been no vacancies to go any higher but as it turns out (unknown to me previously) they said they were about to advertise this new job role internally anyway...

TBagpuss wrote: »

They will be legitimately annoyed, which may have an impact in future if you were to apply there again. While they would potentially be able to demand that you work your notice they are unlikely to do so as there would be no point. They might ask you to pay them a months wages in lieu of notice.

Tell the new company ASAP, they wont want you to start if you've already decided to leave, the training cost and admin wont be worth it to them.

They cant force you to work, so worst case is they sue you for breach of contract, but they wont get much seeing as you haven't even started yet...

just be professional, up front, and it should work out okay.

good luck

RedfordML

Current company = (in your words, "an amazing opportunity")


Think you know what to do.


Politely call the 'new' company explain the situation - they may even offer more again if they are keen.


You are in are in a great position - win-win.


Good Luck.

DKLS

Happens all the the time so don't feel bad, if you want to stay where you are, pull out the second one, or try and re-negotiate the second one.

BlueEyedGirl

I'd move on to pastures new!

Loopy28

Thank you for your replies.

I decided to stay put and have phoned the new employer today and explained the situation. They were surprisingly understanding and accepted my withdrawal. Phew

PlutoinCapricorn

I have seen this sort of thing happen a lot. The new company will have put another good candidate on reserve: HR know that good people get several offers.