URGENT!!! Please help me :)

[CAJ1]

I went to a job interview tonight and was basically offered the job - yay! Its a much better job position than my current one, has the potential to make a lot of money, gives me a company car and iphone 4 for business and personal use amongst other perks. Only problem (there always has to be one!) is that I would be required to start next week.

My current job contract requires 4 weeks notice if I want to leave. Can I just resign and get out of my current job or is that not allowed??

TIA

[Bobbisox]

Ohhh CAJ pet, I wish I could help
Good luck

[CAJ1]

Thanks Bobbi, I'll be so gutted if I can't get this job although the prospect of going in tomorrow and just resigning is a bit scary lol!

[Purple_Popple]

Do you have any holiday owing, of course you can walk out of your current job, but you may forfeit wages owing in lieu of notice etc, good luck!

[fliptheswitch]

You can just leave, but you wouldn't get a reference from them and it wouldn't look very good when it came to any future employment.
"Has the potential to make a lot of money"... be careful. Been there, done that, rarely works out. Without wanting to sound patronising, make sure you are 100% sure before you go leaving your current job, because there'll be no going back! :)

[ttfn]

Hi CAJ - well done. You are contractually bound to give your employer the due notice. What action they will take if you don't is up to them. Did the interviewer ask about your notice period?

[albaqwerty]

If it is in a similar industry then they'd take a very shabby look on it. Different industry and explain the situation they might forego the 4 weeks.

[CAJ1]

Hmmm...was looking on directgov and it says you are required by law to give 1 weeks notice if you have worked in the place for a month or more and longer if stated in your contract???

I'd only have a few days holiday in lieu, not 4 weeks :(

Good advice fliptheswitch, 100% sure I want to leave, been after a new job for over 2 years lol! The pay covers what I currently get paid, anything on top of that is commission so I wouldn't lose any money by the move.

[B00]

Also i think it might show integrity if you explain to your new employers the situation. Surely they'd have a higher opinion of you if you explained you don't want to leave your present employer in the lurch?*

*That might not be the case, but it don't half sound good!

[AlBags]

Consider your actions carefully.
What is 'guaranteed' in this new position?
The grass often seems greener ... etc.

[tamborine]

Speak to your present employer seems the fairest thing to do.

[gingejbee]

I agree with flip: "potential to make a lot of money" is not the same as " your salary is....".

[CAJ1]

Thanks ttfn! Yes the interviewer asked about my notice period and when I told him it was 4 weeks he said ahh that could be a problem. He did say there might be opportunities in the future though and he would be keen for me to work for them. Basically he is a manager and I would be taking over his job. He goes away shortly, so he needs to train the person in the basics over the next few weeks and leave them in charge while he's gone and to continue the job when he's back so he can concentrate on other ventures.

It is a different industry alba, I might try that one out.

Not a bad idea clive78!

[ttfn]

Quite so Al. CAJ - by all means speak to your employer and see what they say, but I think it unreasonable of the other firm to expect you to drop others in it. Are they market competitors? How well do you know the firm?

[fliptheswitch]

Well done then! :)
In that case, I would follow Boo's advice. You'll come across as a loyal employee.

[fliptheswitch]

CAJ1, reading your last comment, I can't help but feel he is being a bit pushy. Saying that 4 weeks could be a problem, and then saying they may have something in the future, is almost giving you no choice.
Without wanting to be really nosey, would you mind if I asked what type of job it is?

[MarkRae]

> In that case, I would follow Boo's advice.

Very wise, especially lately... ;-)

[CAJ1]

Good point boo. I defo don't care about leaving them in the lurch though, they got rid of half the workforce last year with no notie straight after xmas and expected me to do everyones jobs!

I agree tamborine, maybe they'll appreciate the honesty.

I see what you mean gingejbee, I know what my basic wage is before commission which is what I am on now, that is confirmed. Company car and iphone 4 is guaranteed, a lot of their workforce have been there for many years which would indicate it is a good working environment.

[fliptheswitch]

" I defo don't care about leaving them in the lurch though"

Do you not need a reference from them CAJ?

[scotman]

You could try to negotiate a 2 week period with each company giving a little.