Is there ever a good time to resign? Discuss.
I’ve got a situation at the moment where a great candidate has
been offered a great job. She loves everything about the new job and if it
weren’t for a pesky notice period, the new employer would take this said
candidate tomorrow.
However, the candidate is a really nice person. Lovely. Whilst she doesn’t like her current
job and feels that it wasn’t ‘sold’ to her honestly, she doesn’t want to let her current employer
down. The candidate has an important
role and there are many ongoing projects that are critical for the agency and
their key client.
New employer wants a start date. Candidate wants to hold off resigning until
the biggest project is out of the way – in a weeks’ time. Thus delaying the start date.
Awkward.
The harsh advice is to resign immediately. Your loyalty is to your new employer. You are
not happy in the existing role. It’s why
we have notice periods – it’s their problem (the existing employer) to replace
you, not yours.
No-one really likes resigning. Well, not really. It’s what can be classed as a ‘difficult
conversation’ and I’ve yet to meet anyone who really relishes those.
Whilst I’d like to advise total transparency and honesty
with the new employer.....don’t expect understanding in all cases. Whilst the new employer may say ‘great, what
a nice and professional person I have just offered a job to’, they may equally
say ‘what the hell, do you want this job or not’.
So the situation needs to be managed
carefully. Any new employer expects that
as soon as an offer has been accepted, a start date is then agreed. If there is any stalling over the start date,
that sets people off worrying....and that’s not a good basis of trust for the
new employer and employee.
You can always try the honest route first and see how it
goes down. After all, the worst the new employer can say is ‘we need you sooner’
although they may also see it as a sign that you’re not that bothered about the
offer and renege that offer...but that really is worst case. Usually some
mediation is possible.
However, don’t be surprised if the new employer does request
that you resign immediately. They need to know you are on board, need to know
that they can stop their search, let the other candidates in the running
know...they need to tell their clients that they have solved the recruitment
issue and all is tickety boo. They need
to know that you really really want to work for them! New employers seldom understand loyalty to an
existing employer over them – your new employer.
The other consideration is that you’ll give yourself a week
or so of additional nerves - feeling dishonest, having conversations about
things that you know will not concern you in the future. My personal view is that it’s usually for the
best to put your big pants on and to have that conversation with your existing
employer. Yes, they could march you off
the premises, or they could offer you more money, they might shout a bit, give
you a guilt trip etc etc. But at this point, you should be thinking
about number one. Once it’s done, you’ll
be able to look forward to the future, and it’s not your problem anymore.
PS. That all sounds a
bit harsh. Obviously I’ll caveat this
with ‘you must be professional in your conversations at all parts of the process
and help out the existing employer with a fabulous hand-over document. Don’t forget, you may need them for a
reference in the future...