New Job

[catkingirl]

I've just handed in my notice at work (hooray!) and my soon-to-be-ex boss asked me where I was going to. I said that I would rather not say (as an ex-colleague of his helped me get the job) but he insisted I tell him. I refused and before it turned into a childish 'tell me!' 'no' 'teeeeelll me!!' 'NO' type-argument I said I would think about it and come back to him on it. Surely I don't HAVE to tell him do I? I don't want him to think I've gone behind his back. Any advice please my dears? Maybe this should be in body&soul. help...x

[froggequene]

First of all, congratulations on the new job. My first reaction is that it's none of his business where you're going and how you got there. My other thought would be it depends on how close he is to this ex-colleague, I find it interesting that you don't describe them as friends, if they were surely the other man/woman would have told him something, how close are they and is likely your soon-to-be ex-boss will find out from this person? If you really feel you need to him something, perhaps you could mention the post and the general location or you could simply say that you wqant to wait until all the details have been confirmed before you say anything.

[catkingirl]

Thank you froggequene! I am very chuffed with my new job and can't wait to leave. The reason I am being cautious is that the person who got helped me get the new job used to work for my current company and left because he didn't get on with my boss. I don't want my boss to think I was 'poached' by him as there is enough bad feeling between them already!

[Pinotage]

You do not have to say where you are going to or why, but its alomst 100% that your new employer will ask for references from your old employer, so then they'll know.

[wildwood]

The only time you have to tell your employer the identity of your next employer is when there is a contract that you will not be active in a similar field of business for a certain number of years.
This happens where, because of the job requirements, an employer has to spend many thousands on training. These situations are usually restricted to managerial positions.

[Wee Kaz]

I would agree that you don't have to tell your boss after all that's between you and your new employer the only thing I would say is that you shouldn't burn your bridges with previous employers as it could come back and bite you on the bum if you need a reference from your current boss so it's best to leave on amicable terms. Good Luck!

[DavidUK]

I don't think that you have to tell your present boss where you are going, but, as wildwood points out, some contracts of employment restrict where you can go. I know because my contract has such restrictions, although the managemant say that they would be flexible in their interpretation of it. The reason for the restriction, in my case, is that they don't want me passing on inside knowledge to the competition. The thing is, though, isn't he going to find out anyway, in which case it would be best to tell him. Either way, good luck in your new job!

[brianwaring]

as you climb the ladder of success do not kick away the rungs

[catkingirl]

Wow! Thanks for all the support you lot! I am not going to tell him - I do not have a restrictive covenent not allowing me to work in the same industry so there is no real reason why I should. As for references, I think I get get around that by someone else (who is very discreet) in the company being my referee. The thing is - I am not telling him as I don't want to hurt him by him thinking it is all a conspiracy. Well, the general concensus is that I don't have to - so I won't! Thanks again x