Handing in Notice

Glen_Quagmire · 20-01-2017 11:24PM #1

Hi Guys

I have been offered a job with a large multinational company. I received a phone call a couple of days after the interview to offer me the job with a follow up email outlining salary, benefits, start date etc.

I am still waiting for the contract to be sent to me which I wanted to sign and return before handing in my notice to my current employer. The contract is taking a little longer than I expected and I am conscious of my start date with my new employer and the required notice period with my current employer.

I emailed the new employer and asked when I should expect to receive the contract and they have replied saying it's currently being done up and I will have it soon. I am also going through a vetting process with the new employer.

Am I right to hang on until the contract is signed and returned before handing in my notice or would it be safe enough to do so now based on the offer of employment email and follow up emails with HR?

starfruit2510 · 20-01-2017 11:30PM

Glen_Quagmire wrote: »

Hi Guys

I have been offered a job with a large multinational company. I received a phone call a couple of days after the interview to offer me the job with a follow up email outlining salary, benefits, start date etc.

I am still waiting for the contract to be sent to me which I wanted to sign and return before handing in my notice to my current employer. The contract is taking a little longer than I expected and I am conscious of my start date with my new employer and the required notice period with my current employer.

I emailed the new employer and asked when I should expect to receive the contract and they have replied saying it's currently being done up and I will have it soon. I am also going through a vetting process with the new employer.

Am I right to hang on until the contract is signed and returned before handing in my notice or would it be safe enough to do so now based on the offer of employment email and follow up emails with HR?

I would give notice asap, had a similar experience with previous job, I could only give 3weeks notice cos I had agreed to start date, employer required 4 so were not very happy with me

marienbad · 20-01-2017 11:31PM

Glen_Quagmire wrote: »

Hi Guys

I have been offered a job with a large multinational company. I received a phone call a couple of days after the interview to offer me the job with a follow up email outlining salary, benefits, start date etc.

I am still waiting for the contract to be sent to me which I wanted to sign and return before handing in my notice to my current employer. The contract is taking a little longer than I expected and I am conscious of my start date with my new employer and the required notice period with my current employer.

I emailed the new employer and asked when I should expect to receive the contract and they have replied saying it's currently being done up and I will have it soon. I am also going through a vetting process with the new employer.

Am I right to hang on until the contract is signed and returned before handing in my notice or would it be safe enough to do so now based on the offer of employment email and follow up emails with HR?

wait is my advice . a bird in the hand ....

helimachoptor · 20-01-2017 11:32PM

Wait for the contract.

pauliebdub · 20-01-2017 11:33PM

I wouldn't resign until the contract is signed.

Explain that to the new place and rearrange your start date to reflect any delay unless your old job allows a reduced notice period. A week isn't going to make a huge difference.

pauliebdub · 20-01-2017 11:35PM

starfruit2510 wrote: »

I would give notice asap, had a similar experience with previous job, I could only give 3weeks notice cos I had agreed to start date, employer required 4 so were not very happy with me

That's terrible advice, you could be screwed if the new place recinded the job offer before sending out a contract.

Stheno · 20-01-2017 11:37PM

pauliebdub wrote: »

That's terrible advice, you could be screwed if the new place recinded the job offer before sending out a contract.

Or if op doesnt pass the vetting. The vetting is likely holding up the contract

9or10 · 20-01-2017 11:38PM

Definately wait.

Ideally you'd have agreed a start date with your new employer as - period of notice from offer.

If you haven't got the contract and are still going through vetting ....

bucketybuck · 20-01-2017 11:39PM

Wait for the contract.

Its right to be fair to your current employer but only to a point, do whats best for you first. If you hand in your notice and then find out the new contract was held up by some problem that now means the job offer is rescinded you will be left in a tricky position. Better to wait for the contract, even if that means a shorter notice period.

Remember, "notice" means "notification of intention to leave", not "requesting permission to leave". Your current company might be upset if you leave early but there is little they can do about it except be upset.

Tell me how · 20-01-2017 11:39PM

Glen_Quagmire wrote:

Am I right to hang on until the contract is signed and returned before handing in my notice or would it be safe enough to do so now based on the offer of employment email and follow up emails with HR?

Tell the new company your start date availability is 4 weeks from when you receive the contract.

Rustyman101 · 20-01-2017 11:41PM

Agree 100% don't hand in your notice until the deal is sealed with new employer ! Adjust start date if needed.

Steve · 20-01-2017 11:41PM

What is in your current employment contract wrt notice?

In practice, if you fail to turn up for work in the morning, ever again, there is not much the employer can do to pursue you legally. *

*There are some exceptions where a breach of contract suit would net them more than losing you would cost.

Stealthfins · 20-01-2017 11:43PM

Rustyman101 wrote:

Agree 100% don't hand in your notice until the deal is sealed with new employer ! Adjust start date if needed.

Exactly just don't be another statistic on boards.ie who left the job and had nothing to go to.

You'll come across people here who got badly burnt.

Rustyman is right.

Diziet · 20-01-2017 11:43PM

Employers do not expect you to resign before a contract is issued, so wait till you get it, then resign.

JustAThought · 20-01-2017 11:46PM

Employers are quick to promise and even quicker to apologise - ultimately it is you who will pay the proce with your career if they recind, finances if it falls through, or future chance of a reference from your current emoloyer if anything goes wrong. When you get the contract sign it and hand it back & say naturally your notice period remains X and because of the delays in getting the contract this will naturally push forward your start date from what you had originally hoped. They are big boys - they will know what the score is. Just be practical & matter of fact about it - there could be busget delays or approval delays or God knows what - stay put quietly, work hard and only when you get the contract hand in your notice. People and supposedly excellent work relationships can transform overnight once they know you are moving on. It may well suite them to let you have a shorter notice period or they may ask you to pack yor desk that day and take 'gardening leave' until your end date. Say nothing and keep hard at it.

Glen_Quagmire · 20-01-2017 11:46PM

Thanks guys I knew it was best to wait until the contract was signed and sealed but the start date is getting closer so I would like to get the notice in asap.

I completed the vetting forms early this week so hopefully the contract comes early next week

Stheno · 20-01-2017 11:47PM

Glen_Quagmire wrote: »

Thanks guys I knew it was best to wait until the contract was signed and sealed but the start date is getting closer so I would like to get the notice in asap.

I completed the vetting forms early this week so hopefully the contract comes early next week

Is it background checking and is it being done by the company themselves or a third party?

Glen_Quagmire · 20-01-2017 11:48PM

Stheno wrote:

Is it background checking and is it being done by the company themselves or a third party?

Yes background checking by a third party. Standard practice for this company I believe

pauliebdub · 20-01-2017 11:49PM

Steve wrote: »

In practice, if you fail to turn up for work in the morning, ever again, there is not much the employer can do to pursue you legally. *

They can withhold your p45, which can be a bit of a pain getting resolved and results in emergency tax for a month or two. Also most people are honourable and don't wish to break a contract and might have a great relationship with the old company that they don't want to sour.

You could try and negotiate a reduced notice period, say you can arrange a quick handover, prepare instruction documents on how to perform tasks etc...

Stheno · 20-01-2017 11:50PM

Glen_Quagmire wrote: »

Yes background checking by a third party. Standard practice for this company I believe

I've had that done three times. Takes a minimum of 2-4 weeks in my experience.

Glen_Quagmire · 20-01-2017 11:58PM

Another thing is I am only with my current employer just over 6 months. My probation period was 6 months which I just passed last week. Notice period during probation was 1 week, after probation is 4 weeks.

Nobody has come to me about being out of probation or I haven't signed any new permanent contract or anything, does that make any difference?

Don't get me wrong I would still like to give a few weeks notice as it's the right thing to do but just want to know what I am actually obligated to do in this situation?

bucketybuck · 20-01-2017 11:58PM

Don't be afraid to politely remind the new company that you cannot start your notice period until the contract is signed. If it was an SME with a touchy owner I might be wary of changing the agreed start date, but a large multi-national with a HR department is a different matter.

bucketybuck · 21-01-2017 12:01AM

Glen_Quagmire wrote: »

Another thing is I am only with my current employer just over 6 months. My probation period was 6 months which I just passed last week. Notice period during probation was 1 week, after probation is 4 weeks.

Nobody has come to me about being out of probation or I haven't signed any new permanent contract or anything, does that make any difference?

Don't get me wrong I would still like to give a few weeks notice as it's the right thing to do but just want to know what I am actually obligated to do in this situation?

It just makes it easier for you to wait, then when you do hand in your notice make it a one week notice period, and if they complain quite rightly say that one week is what your probationary contract states.

But no, you have little real obligation anyway, none that they could reasonably enforce.

Steve · 21-01-2017 12:01AM

pauliebdub wrote: »

They can withhold your p45, which can be a bit of a pain getting resolved and results in emergency tax for a month or two.

They can't actually, a phone call to the revenue commissioners works wonders in that regard. If they continue to withhold then the threat of a full revenue audit normally softens their cough.

Also most people are honourable and don't wish to break a contract and might have a great relationship with the old company that they don't want to sour.

I agree, was just pointing out worst case options.

endacl · 21-01-2017 12:02AM

Please take the opportunity to use the phrase "I'm giggity giggity giggity gone!" when you tell them you're leaving!

Glen_Quagmire · 21-01-2017 12:04AM

bucketybuck wrote:

It just makes it easier for you to wait, then when you do hand in your notice make it a one week notice period, and if they complain quite rightly say that one week is what your probationary contract states.

bucketybuck wrote:

But no, you have little real obligation anyway, none that they could reasonably enforce.

But I passed my 6 month probation last week, what I mean is I am there more than 6 months but nothing has been said about it by me or the employer. Does passing the 6 months mark mean I am actually out of probation or do I need to sit down with HR and sign an new contract or how does it work?

Glen_Quagmire · 21-01-2017 12:06AM

endacl wrote:

Please take the opportunity to use the phrase "I'm giggity giggity giggity gone!" when you tell them you're leaving!

Hahaha actually laughing at that but I never burn bridges mate, Ireland is a small place!

Steve · 21-01-2017 12:07AM

Glen_Quagmire wrote: »

But I passed my 6 month probation last week, what I mean is I am there more than 6 months but nothing has been said about it by me or the employer. Does passing the 6 months mark mean I am actually out of probation or do I need to sit down with HR and sign an new contract or how does it work?

What does your contract say?

6 months is not a significant landmark in employment law terms.

Glen_Quagmire · 21-01-2017 12:08AM

Steve wrote:

What does your contract say?

Steve wrote:

6 months is not a significant landmark in employment law terms.

Contract says 6 months probation, doesn't say anything about signing new contracts or anything so unsure where I actually stand right now to be honest

54and56 · 21-01-2017 12:20AM

Two reasons you should honour and respect the notice period commitment you entered into in your existing employment contract:-

1. It shows you honour your commitments.

2. The fact you don't break commitments you have given should be something your current employer would appreciate and your new employer should be glad to see.

If you want to secure a shorter notice period you need to man (or woman) up and just approach your current employer to see if they wouldn't mind allowing you to serve 2 rather than 4 weeks notice or whatever. If they don't it's a win win for everyone. If they do you just have to honour your commitment and fulfil your full termination period.

If your new employer doesn't understand why you should honour your notice period commitment I'd be very concerned about them!!!

OldMrBrennan83 · 21-01-2017 12:25AM

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Handing in Notice

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