Serving notice

[DanDare]

I wanted to get the opinions of fellow orgers;

I have been offered a new job which I cannot refuse, however they want me to start in just over a weeks time. Trouble is my existing employer wants 4 weeks notice. How do I play this, I do not want to upset my current boss and she's been very good to me, however I don't want to miss this opportunity.

Is there a legal standing on this issue, what the worse that can happen?

Has anyone else been in this situation of offer advice.

[Luckypants]

Well as always, talk to your boss about it. She may be able to waive the notice period. Also the new employer is being un-reasonable if they expect you to just be able to start at the drop of a hat. Anyone they employ for this role will probably need to serve a notice period. Negotiate with both employers to achieve a mutually beneficial end/start date.

Another option is to use any leave owing to shorten your notice period, so you start your new job while on holiday from current job. You get paid twice, but end up with no leave for a while.

[Warthog]

Seems a bit unfair of the new job to ask you to start so soon. I'd do waht Luckypants says.

[Gazza77]

I wanted to get the opinions of fellow orgers;

I have been offered a new job which I cannot refuse, however they want me to start in just over a weeks time. Trouble is my existing employer wants 4 weeks notice. How do I play this, I do not want to upset my current boss and she's been very good to me, however I don't want to miss this opportunity.

Is there a legal standing on this issue, what the worse that can happen?

Has anyone else been in this situation of offer advice.

What notice period does your current contract stipulate?

[Drew Carey]

To be honest, if the new company really want you, they will wait. But as above, check what your current employer states and then talk to the new company.

[DanDare]

I need to give 4 weeks notice but they ideally want me to start on the eighteenth of this month. The training course starts 1st September and thats none negiotiable. To start on the 18th is to give me a feel for the place but I don't see why it can't wait till after my course.

[Ed]

No one can force you to work for them. But the very worst is that you quit, they hire someone else to do the job and send you a bill for the cost.

Oh yeah, if you need a reference from them then don't expect a glowing testimonial, they might well say that you let them down.

[Davido]

Say your mother has become drastically ill and you need to find a job closer to where she lives (100 miles away) so that you can take care of her.

Cry lots. Bring kleenex (for the crying, unless your boss is hot).

[chakraist]

Bring kleenex (for the crying, unless your boss is hot).

Excellent :D

[Viper]

I had this happen to me. My new employer wanted me straight away and my old employer wanted full notice.
I said to the new employer that i was a fair and loyal chap and felt it only right that i serve a period of notice, this went down well with the new employer as he could see i was not one to dump people in the crap and i wanted to do what was "right.
I told my old employer that i had enjoyed my time with them and hoped that they understood i was trying to better myself and hoped with all the good service i had given them that they might bend the rules a tiny bit.

both parties saw sense and i cut my notice period in half and both sides got part of what they wanted

HTH:)

[DanDare]

I managed to get my start date delayed a week, still not 100% happy and now I have to tell my boss is 5 mins , wish me luck.

[Demonz]

How did it go down?

[G]

Perhaps his boss had kidnapped him in chains and wont let him escape?

[Gazza77]

Perhaps his boss had kidnapped him in chains and wont let him escape?

Or just banned from using the internet. :smt119

[DanDare]

Like a lead balloon, she wasn't happy at all, but hey ho!

What I really did not need is my alerter going off this morning at breakfast and being called to a house fire for three hours.

Got to work and everyone is in a real bad mood and I feel really uncomfortable.

[timwilky]

I am supposed to give 3 months notice. I doubt they could/would enforce it. One day it would be nice to resign, trouble is I think they might accept it.

[G]

At my work due to the knowledge base and systems I have access to I believe you get put on garden leave so can leave immediately.

[Demonz]

I would always want to cut short employees who have access to sensitive business areas. To much risk to keep about - not to mention a waste of energy as no one includiong themselves want to be there.

[the_runt69]

Had this last year had to do my full 3 months notice, The worst part being is the company I now work for is owned by the same parent company I used to work for. Couldnt say up yours to one and the other had to wait untill I was allowed to leave even though the bloke I used to work for and the bloke i work for now are good mates.

[DanDare]

Update: I have just been called into the office by my director who tells me now that she cannot let me go. A full week after handing in my notice.

She was banking on another member of staff taking over but that hasn't happened. Plus they are on holiday next week anyway so no time to train them.

I also overheard that a recruitment agency rang earlier this week to tout for business and was told the company was fully staffed by my director.

I have already signed the new contract with my future employer. It is with the MOD and is not easily changeable. It is a life changing job that I cannot afford to miss.

I had worked out that I had 4 days due holiday which effectively takes me from 2 to 3 weeks notice.

I am being bullied something rotten now for not staying.

[SoulKiss]

Update: I have just been called into the office by my director who tells me now that she cannot let me go. A full week after handing in my notice.

She was banking on another member of staff taking over but that hasn't happened. Plus they are on holiday next week anyway so no time to train them.

I also overheard that a recruitment agency rang earlier this week to tout for business and was told the company was fully staffed by my director.

I have already signed the new contract with my future employer. It is with the MOD and is not easily changeable. It is a life changing job that I cannot afford to miss.

I had worked out that I had 4 days due holiday which effectively takes me from 2 to 3 weeks notice.

I am being bullied something rotten now for not staying.

Document the bullying when you have a few good recorded incidents walk out and tell them you are suing for Constructive Dismissal, which I believe you CAN get even if you have handed in your notice.

Also did you have the agreement to go in writing? If so just leave - if not, try and get it in writing that she had agreed but is now changing her mind - email her in a way that means she has to reply in detail - so no closed questions.