Handing in notice- how early is too early?

blu3sky

Just looking for some advice about when to hand in my notice. I have been offered a position (I assume subject to references but that hasn't been mentioned explicitly!) starting in September but I only need to give 1 month's notice at my current job. Is there any reason not to be completely open with my employer even though I don't need to give notice for a while?

These are the reasons I want to tell them before my notice period:

1. My current employer has gone out of their way to support me so I want to be honest with them and give them plenty of time to recruit someone new.

2. I work for a charity so I don't want them to waste money sending me on training, conferences etc. when I am moving to a different sector in a few months!

3. It will look bad if the new job contacts my current job for references before I inform them myself- I ticked the box to say "Do not contact references without my consent" so will the new job ask for my consent some time between now and September?

This is my first job out of Uni so I'm really not sure of the etiquette- any advice much appreciated

dragonsoup

I'd wait. September is a long time ahead and what if something changes in the meantime?

McKneff

I would wait also, and tell them when you actually have to, disregarding all the reasons above.

If you tell them on Monday they could be peeved about it and give you a months notice so finishing
at the end of May.
And what do you do for money for the next few months because you will be sanctioned by the DWP.
As above, bide your time.

Andrew_Ryan_89

blu3sky wrote: »

Just looking for some advice about when to hand in my notice. I have been offered a position (I assume subject to references but that hasn't been mentioned explicitly!) starting in September but I only need to give 1 month's notice at my current job. Is there any reason not to be completely open with my employer even though I don't need to give notice for a while?

These are the reasons I want to tell them before my notice period:

1. My current employer has gone out of their way to support me so I want to be honest with them and give them plenty of time to recruit someone new.

2. I work for a charity so I don't want them to waste money sending me on training, conferences etc. when I am moving to a different sector in a few months!

3. It will look bad if the new job contacts my current job for references before I inform them myself- I ticked the box to say "Do not contact references without my consent" so will the new job ask for my consent some time between now and September?

This is my first job out of Uni so I'm really not sure of the etiquette- any advice much appreciated

Just wait. Part of the reason for a notice period is that your employer has adequate time to recruit a replacement. They have decided it's a month so let it be.

I understand where you are coming from because they have been good to you but 5 months is a long time to be hanging around for.

blu3sky

Wow thanks everyone for your speedy and helpful replies

I hadn't considered that they might turn around and give me notice (naive much ) so thanks for spelling that out!!

I'll bide my time and maybe tell them a little earlier in July.

TELLIT01

I agree with the previous comments. Although you get on well with your employer and they have treated you well, once they know you are leaving their main interest will be in getting somebody to replace you. If they get a replacement quickly they may decide to terminate your employment.
Whilst I admire you desire to be fair to your employer, your first loyalty these days has to be to yourself. Sad but true.

lizzy85

Then, tell your employer as early as possible. I think they will understand.

theoretica

If you have been with your employer for more than two years it is not all that easy to just give you notice to leave. I would say don't hand in your notice early, but mentioning that you are likely/planning to do so might be an appreciated courtesy - you know more about how they are likely to act than we do.

dragonsoup

I'd be more worried about something happening at the new employer - if they have a reorganisation or the company is bought out the job may no longer be there in September and the OP left high and dry. As I said in my first response a lot can happen in 5 months.

ScorpiondeRooftrouser

lizzy85 wrote: »

Then, tell your employer as early as possible. I think they will understand.

Why do you think this? My grounds for NOT thinking this is that the employer will naturally (and rightly) put their own interests above those of a soon to be ex employee. What are your grounds for thinking the opposite?

bod1467

Assuming you've been with your current employer 2 years or more, if they give YOU notice then you'll get a redundancy pay out. (You giving THEM notice means you wouldn't).

When I left my previous company I was obliged to give 4 weeks notice ... I actually gave them 5 weeks notice. Less than a week later (before the time by which I was obliged to give my notice) they announced redundancies; they wouldn't let me transfer my notice into redundancy. (I had an informal, verbal agreement that they would, but they reneged on this. As I had no evidence then I couldn't really chase it).

I still left anyway. That company no longer exists.