Having second thoughts on new job

hollycave

I was approached by another company a few weeks ago to ask if I would be interested in working for them. I'd been frustrated with some aspects of my current job so thought I'd go along to find out more, had an interview and was offered the job. I accepted the job verbally last Monday but told them I wouldn't be able to hand in my notice until the following Monday as I was on holiday that week. I handed in my notice on Monday and now I'm having second thoughts (or maybe just looking at things through rose tinted glasses...). I've received an official offer letter in the post which says it is subject to satisfactory references, and I've not yet signed a contract/any other documentation. Due to start beginning next year. Can I change my mind and decline the new job offer (if my current employer will keep me!)? I will feel terribly guilty if I do so as will feel I've messed around the new employer, particularly as it's nearly two weeks since I accepted their offer.

Masomnia

If it's a conditional offer then there's no problem with you going back on it.

Staying with your current employer could be an issue. If you've handed in your notice you can ask them if you can rescind it and stay after all, but they are under no obligation to accept that.

So, I'd check with your current employer first, because if you go back on the job offer and then your current employer won't accept you 'un-resigning' then you'll find yourself jobless.

codemonkey

Could you use the job offer to try to renegotiate the terms in your old job? As in, I'll stay if you can match the offer?

hollycave

The new job is quite a lot more money but I would feel uncomfortable trying to play the employers off against one another, and perhaps peeing them both off, as the money wasn't my motivation for accepting the role.

hollycave

If they've already received satisfactory references does that mean the offer is no longer conditional? So there could be issues if I then change my mind?

w00519772

Have a look at this: https://www.gov.uk/job-offers-your-rights.

I did this a few months ago i.e. I accepted a new job; handed in my notice and then weeks later I withdrew my acceptance and withdrew my notice. Here is what I learnt and did:

1) Your existing employer does not have to accept the withdrawal of your notice. I was a valued member of staff so my withdrawal was accepted. I asked my current employer to confirm in writing that I was welcome back if I decided to withdraw my notice before continuing.
2) I then called the new employer and explained my concerns and asked if there would be any consequences if I turned down the role e.g. would they force me to work my notice or charge me for the one weeks notice? They accepted my reasons and said there would be no consequences.
3) I then sent the prospective employer an email withdrawing my acceptance.
4) I then withdrew my notice.

I am no expert.

[Deleted User]

hollycave wrote: »

If they've already received satisfactory references does that mean the offer is no longer conditional? So there could be issues if I then change my mind?

Anyone can change their mind. Crikey I've known people and myself included before now change their mind on the day of starting. The worst that can happen is you will likely never receive another job offer from that company, the longer they are 'messed around' at this stage.

I turned down starting a sales job once, made easier that I hadn't received any confirmation I am sure and they ended up quite alright about it. Though I hadn't put my notice in either so I think it genuinely told me something from the get go.

I know it's hard but see past any guilt tripping from either and do what ever is right for you, because all parties will survive.

Masomnia

Technically it's a breach of contract if you've accepted an unconditional offer, but as above what are they going to do?

I used to feel pretty guilty about messing people around like that, and then I think about how I've been treated as a candidate, and unfortunately these things happen.

divadee

Hope that your work will rescind your notice. I have seen some managers refuse to rescind a resignation as it has shown you are not happy at the current company and looking elsewhere. I'm not saying that's right but it does happen.

paddyrg

Go for it! It's absolutely normal to get wistful about a job as you're leaving, but remember all the frustrations that made you need to leave. They haven't gone away. You'll kick yourself in a month if you stay. Move forward, and in a month you'll barely remember the old job

Undervalued

Masomnia wrote: »

Technically it's a breach of contract if you've accepted an unconditional offer, but as above what are they going to do?

I used to feel pretty guilty about messing people around like that, and then I think about how I've been treated as a candidate, and unfortunately these things happen.

Technically, yes but even so that only obliges you to give whatever notice has been contractually agreed. So, if a month's notice was agreed and you are due to start in three weeks time then, technically, you should turn up and work for a week. However no employer is going to try and insist you do that as it is hardly in their interest.

If no notice is specified then legally you don't have to give any as the statutory notice period is zero during the first month of employment.