Leaving a new job after just a few weeks

Icecream_Gladiator

I wanted to reach out to this community to get your perspective on an ethical/moral dilemma I'm facing.

After being made redundant a little while ago, I have recently started in a new job less than a month ago, which I am very happy in, great people, pay is not bad either...

One of the reasons why I took it was because it was a decent offer that came along and being out of work I did not want to miss out in case nothing else came along.

I may potentially have another offer on the table for just as engaging job, again with a great employer, but most importantly for more money - possibly at least a 20% bump compared to the current salary. Certainly, not something the current employer would be able to match.

So, really the main reason is possibly

I was brought up with a strong sense of integrity and loyalty, which did not always work in my favour and possibly even held me back in my career progression because I'd hang around in a job with little career prospects for far too long due to feeling loyal and now I feel the same, like I have made a commitment, 'gave my word', which I should now honour and that leaving after such a short period and most importantly simply because of getting more money elsewhere, and not because I'd be unhappy, just seems wrong. On the other hand, however, more money would be great too.

Contractually there is no issue with leaving, simply give notice and that's that.

I know it's probably selfish of me to complain about being so lucky, but I am genuinely struggling with the moral dilemma.

BJV

You have one life and you have to live it. Work environment has to play a part so if both places look equally as good then that is one question answered. 

If the money will make a difference and let's face it that is why most of us work I would say thank you no hard feelings and go for the new job. 

It is not a lack of integrity or being selfish it is you looking after yourself. You are not being disloyal either. Just go for it. 

Marcon

Icecream_Gladiator said:

I wanted to reach out to this community to get your perspective on an ethical/moral dilemma I'm facing.

After being made redundant a little while ago, I have recently started in a new job less than a month ago, which I am very happy in, great people, pay is not bad either...

One of the reasons why I took it was because it was a decent offer that came along and being out of work I did not want to miss out in case nothing else came along.

I may potentially have another offer on the table for just as engaging job, again with a great employer, but most importantly for more money - possibly at least a 20% bump compared to the current salary. Certainly, not something the current employer would be able to match.

So, really the main reason is possibly

I was brought up with a strong sense of integrity and loyalty, which did not always work in my favour and possibly even held me back in my career progression because I'd hang around in a job with little career prospects for far too long due to feeling loyal and now I feel the same, like I have made a commitment, 'gave my word', which I should now honour and that leaving after such a short period and most importantly simply because of getting more money elsewhere, and not because I'd be unhappy, just seems wrong. On the other hand, however, more money would be great too.

Contractually there is no issue with leaving, simply give notice and that's that.

I know it's probably selfish of me to complain about being so lucky, but I am genuinely struggling with the moral dilemma.

You haven't 'given your word' to stay for any particular length of time. You've entered into a contract which either side is free to terminate.

The employer would have no qualms about getting rid of you if they need to make staff cuts, or they simply don't like you.

You've only been there a few weeks, which isn't long enough for you to have built up so much knowledge, personal relationships etc that you would be difficult to replace. Put impolitely, you aren't that important (a comment made to reassure, not belittle). It's quite possible they may be able to contact the 'runner up' in the selection process, given how short a time has elapsed.

Vectis

But...playing devil's advocate here...

Putting your notice in after only a couple of weeks will not look too good on your CV if/when you move on in the future.

Unless you stay a good few years in the next job, then you'll no doubt be asked why you resigned from a job you enjoy after such a short period of time. You'll say, because I was offered more money, and the potential employer will wonder whether you'd do the same thing to them as well.

If you really need the money then you have to do it, but I'd just be a bit careful as jumping ship after only a few weeks doesn't sit too well with many employers.

crispy_duck

Vectis said:

Unless you stay a good few years in the next job, then you'll no doubt be asked why you resigned from a job you enjoy after such a short period of time. You'll say, because I was offered more money, and the potential employer will wonder whether you'd do the same thing to them as well.

You wouldn't say that though would you? You'd say "Because I was out of work I needed to accept the first offer, but it wasn't really the job I wanted, so when the subsequent offer came along I accepted that."

And there is absolutely zero ethical issue here. Don't show loyalty to an employer, because when it comes to it they sure as hell won't show it to you.

stu12345_2

or you fill in your CV and leave no gaps and make the end and start dates of jobs match eg job ended in December,started new job in December.

I've done that many a time 
that works unless it is a strict employer like the police, that needs full 10 yr history with exact start and end dates.including dates of unemployment 

Marcon

Vectis said:

But...playing devil's advocate here...

Putting your notice in after only a couple of weeks will not look too good on your CV if/when you move on in the future.

Unless you stay a good few years in the next job, then you'll no doubt be asked why you resigned from a job you enjoy after such a short period of time. You'll say, because I was offered more money, and the potential employer will wonder whether you'd do the same thing to them as well.

If you really need the money then you have to do it, but I'd just be a bit careful as jumping ship after only a few weeks doesn't sit too well with many employers.

Only if you are immensely stupid would you say that. Otherwise it would be a more sensible 'I was out of of work and took the job in something or a hurry, but quickly realised it wasn't the ideal fit for me'.

stu12345_2

watched a comedy show and the guy at interview answered all the right questions eg the company history,what he would bring to the company.then said mate I'm in the dole and skint the employer said fair enough can you start now 

Savvy_Sue

It isn't an issue until you've had an interview and actually been offered the job. By then, you'll also have more information about the 'great' company making the offer: did the interview give you any scary vibes? Did you see where you'd be working? What's the commute like? - I wouldn't change from a job I enjoyed to one paying more if I wasn't actually going to see the benefit, or was going to have to travel a lot further to work.

But if you decide to move on, you decide to move on. It happens! 

EnPointe

Vectis said:

But...playing devil's advocate here...

Putting your notice in after only a couple of weeks will not look too good on your CV if/when you move on in the future.

Unless you stay a good few years in the next job, then you'll no doubt be asked why you resigned from a job you enjoy after such a short period of time. You'll say, because I was offered more money, and the potential employer will wonder whether you'd do the same thing to them as well.

If you really need the money then you have to do it, but I'd just be a bit careful as jumping ship after only a few weeks doesn't sit too well with many employers.

only if you are daft enough to not paint the short lived job as  " I took  the first  half way reasonable offer I got as I wanted to have some money coming in "

EnPointe

stu12345_2 said:

or you fill in your CV and leave no gaps and make the end and start dates of jobs match eg job ended in December,started new job in December.

I've done that many a time 
that works unless it is a strict employer like the police, that needs full 10 yr history with exact start and end dates.including dates of unemployment 

Any role with any element of regulation, and many without, would see that  as a serious breach of integrity and a  probity issues