How to decline a job offer while already signed and accepted
Discussion
I applied for few jobs couple of months ago and received an offer from company A about 3-4 weeks ago, i have accepted and signed the contract with starting date in new year.
Now i have received another offer from company B which is very attractive and its closer to my home. I like the company B and the job plus it fits with my family needs but don't know how to decline the first job offer? It is Unethical to decline the company A offer.
As per company A contract, i would have to give one week notice to leave the job in the first 3 months. Company A has not started the pre employment screening process yet so no references has been taken.
I have two options;
1) Start the new job and resign after a week? I don't need to tell company B that i had a job for a week unless account team finds out later. I won't be giving P45 instead i will fill up the form saying this is my only job. There is a possibility company A won't pay me for the week i spent there.
2)Just tell them about this new offer and say it quite closer to my home and fits with my family needs?
Now i have received another offer from company B which is very attractive and its closer to my home. I like the company B and the job plus it fits with my family needs but don't know how to decline the first job offer? It is Unethical to decline the company A offer.
As per company A contract, i would have to give one week notice to leave the job in the first 3 months. Company A has not started the pre employment screening process yet so no references has been taken.
I have two options;
1) Start the new job and resign after a week? I don't need to tell company B that i had a job for a week unless account team finds out later. I won't be giving P45 instead i will fill up the form saying this is my only job. There is a possibility company A won't pay me for the week i spent there.
2)Just tell them about this new offer and say it quite closer to my home and fits with my family needs?
Edited by alec1975 on Monday 28th November 19:15
Write to Company A and tell them that due to a change in circumstances you're no longer able to take up the post. That's all they need to know. Although they might not like it it is FAR more preferable than you starting and then finishing. In fact they might still be able to offer it to their 2nd choice candidate.
It happens quite often. When people are job hunting they usually have more than one iron in the fire and then it's just a matter of timing. One of my team was offered 3 posts within a week and she ended up playing them off against each other. Frankly I was surprised that she was so much in demand....
It happens quite often. When people are job hunting they usually have more than one iron in the fire and then it's just a matter of timing. One of my team was offered 3 posts within a week and she ended up playing them off against each other. Frankly I was surprised that she was so much in demand....
Sheepshanks said:
it's common for offers to be withdrawn, frequently leaving the candidate out on a limb as they've resigned their current post. Nothing ever seems to come of it.
So legally where would the person stand? Surely they would have a job offer in writing so does that mean there is any legal redress on the company that withdraws the offer and leaves them unemployed?solo2 said:
Sheepshanks said:
it's common for offers to be withdrawn, frequently leaving the candidate out on a limb as they've resigned their current post. Nothing ever seems to come of it.
So legally where would the person stand? solo2 said:
Surely they would have a job offer in writing so does that mean there is any legal redress on the company that withdraws the offer and leaves them unemployed?
None, unless the reason for withdrawal was blatantly of dubious nature (i.e. for any reason under the any one of the employment discrimination acts that doesn't require a minimum length of service) but even then it would be hard for the individual to prove such a reason. Countdown said:
Write to Company A and tell them that due to a change in circumstances you're no longer able to take up the post. That's all they need to know. Although they might not like it it is FAR more preferable than you starting and then finishing. In fact they might still be able to offer it to their 2nd choice candidate.
It happens quite often. When people are job hunting they usually have more than one iron in the fire and then it's just a matter of timing. One of my team was offered 3 posts within a week and she ended up playing them off against each other. Frankly I was surprised that she was so much in demand....
Yes this. And do it nicely: never burn bridges if possible: they might headhunt you one day....It happens quite often. When people are job hunting they usually have more than one iron in the fire and then it's just a matter of timing. One of my team was offered 3 posts within a week and she ended up playing them off against each other. Frankly I was surprised that she was so much in demand....
alec1975 said:
Feeling bad because they went through a long process.
What if they ask me more about my reason? can't say i have an other offer.
I can give them an option to work for them on a week notice without any salary, most probably they would ask me not to come.
Providing you promptly send a letter withdrawing your acceptance. You should have no reason to feel guilty or explain your self.What if they ask me more about my reason? can't say i have an other offer.
I can give them an option to work for them on a week notice without any salary, most probably they would ask me not to come.
You're not going to work for them in the long term so the best outcome for them is to know that and to be in a position to offer the post to the runner up - before he or she is unavailable for whatever reason and they have to start the whole recruitment again. At considerable cost.
If you want to be fair to them then let them know at the earliest opportunity.
If you want to be fair to them then let them know at the earliest opportunity.
4x4Tyke said:
alec1975 said:
Feeling bad because they went through a long process.
What if they ask me more about my reason? can't say i have an other offer.
I can give them an option to work for them on a week notice without any salary, most probably they would ask me not to come.
Providing you promptly send a letter withdrawing your acceptance. You should have no reason to feel guilty or explain your self.What if they ask me more about my reason? can't say i have an other offer.
I can give them an option to work for them on a week notice without any salary, most probably they would ask me not to come.
Then you have noting to worry about.
But let me ask you this - how bad do you think the first company would feel abou t you if they had to withdraw the offer, for whatever reason? they wouldn't give it a second though. And neither should you. They wont be the ones putting food on your table, thats your responsibility and its your responsibility to do whats right for you.
Simple letter,
Dear Hiring Manager
Sorry, have to withdraw my acceptance of your job offer due to a change in my cicumstances, thought it best to let you know as soon as possible. Thank you for the opportunity, and I wish you all the best.
Regards, alec1975, aka Selfish b
dI might be in a similar position so interested in the responses so far. In the past I have always stuck with the first offer out of common courtesy. Basically, I might be getting a better offer, but it won't materialise for a while - so I'm wondering whether to stay quiet or pressurise HR of second company to get me an offer out quicker.
parabolica said:
If you have not yet physically started working for Company A then notice periods etc are irrelevant. Simply tell them something better has come up and you would like to decline their offer. Happens way more often than you think so don't sweat it.
But would it look bad to quit after a fortnight?Edited by fido on Monday 5th December 12:28
fido said:
I might be in a similar position so interested in the responses so far. In the past I have always stuck with the first offer out of common courtesy. Basically, I might be getting a better offer, but it won't materialise for a while - so I'm wondering whether to stay quiet or pressurise HR of second company to get me an offer out quicker.
Got to look after #1 (this coming from someone who works in HR); although that said I'm not the kind of person who jumps from job to job constantly - I just finished working at the only company I'd been with for 10 years since leaving Uni. You can't help the timing if you get a better offer; but you need to look out for yourself.parabolica said:
If you have not yet physically started working for Company A then notice periods etc are irrelevant. Simply tell them something better has come up and you would like to decline their offer. Happens way more often than you think so don't sweat it.
But would it look bad to quit after a fortnight?Edited by fido on Monday 5th December 12:28
A similar thing happened to me a year ago, was looking to leave my current employment and was offered a new job with a better salary etc. Accepted the job and was given a start date, left it about 6 weeks to tell my current employer (due to background checks and I only needed to give 1 weeks notice.) Handed my notice in a week before the start date, and was offered an attractive reason to stay. Retracted my notice 5 days before starting the new job, and called the company to explain what had happened. They seemed extremely understanding about it all, and could see it from my point of view.
Don't get me wrong I felt awful for doing this, and had the intention of leaving my job, because the new job offer was originally more attractive - and didn't expect my current company to compete with it, but after a call with the company it made me feel a whole lot better about the situation. If you start a new job you need to give it 100% and knowing you have turned down a better offer to be there, you may not be able to?
I was worried that it would burn bridges etc as the industry I work in I want to stay in for the foreseeable future, but the company I was offered the job with have started doing business with the company I work with now.
You really do have to look after yourself in this situation, however bad it may feel
Don't get me wrong I felt awful for doing this, and had the intention of leaving my job, because the new job offer was originally more attractive - and didn't expect my current company to compete with it, but after a call with the company it made me feel a whole lot better about the situation. If you start a new job you need to give it 100% and knowing you have turned down a better offer to be there, you may not be able to?
I was worried that it would burn bridges etc as the industry I work in I want to stay in for the foreseeable future, but the company I was offered the job with have started doing business with the company I work with now.
You really do have to look after yourself in this situation, however bad it may feel
You look after yourself - keep it professional and if they get irky then they are not being pro about it.
Was 15 years with RBS, was told that position was great and all was well right up until the morning I was told that my position was at risk. took voluntary and moving on to my next position. Companies will drop you as soon as look at you, as long as there is a need for you then its ok but when that need goes they have no quams to drop you.
Look out for yourself and keep it business.
Was 15 years with RBS, was told that position was great and all was well right up until the morning I was told that my position was at risk. took voluntary and moving on to my next position. Companies will drop you as soon as look at you, as long as there is a need for you then its ok but when that need goes they have no quams to drop you.
Look out for yourself and keep it business.
No point going to Company A for a week, you won't achieve or deliver anything.
Someone did this to me earlier this year, 3 interviews, offer, acceptance, started on Monday, fed me a line with a few crocodile tears on the Wednesday. I asked for it in writing, took her pass back and bid her farewell there & then. Left it a couple of weeks, checked LinkedIn, and lo & behold, shiny new job with a very well-known organisation where she must have thought the grass would be considerably greener. Strangely enough MrsC used to work for said same organisation/person, so I know it won't be!
Bloody annoying, as I had to restart the recruitment process, so yes, tell them straight now.
Someone did this to me earlier this year, 3 interviews, offer, acceptance, started on Monday, fed me a line with a few crocodile tears on the Wednesday. I asked for it in writing, took her pass back and bid her farewell there & then. Left it a couple of weeks, checked LinkedIn, and lo & behold, shiny new job with a very well-known organisation where she must have thought the grass would be considerably greener. Strangely enough MrsC used to work for said same organisation/person, so I know it won't be!
Bloody annoying, as I had to restart the recruitment process, so yes, tell them straight now.
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