How to decline a job offer while already signed and accepted

[alec1975]

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?

Edited by alec1975 on Monday 28th November 19:15

[alec1975]

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.

[alec1975]

TheAngryDog said:

so, what did you end up doing OP?

I told them that due to a change in circumstances i won't be able to start before 6 months. In reply they said they can't wait that long and withdraw the offer.

The reason i mentioned six months is because i knew they won't wait that long and would withdraw the offer. Didn't want to burn the bridges.

After just half an hour i started getting emails from agencies about this same role.

I am still thinking about it if i have made the right decision, will find out in few months time after starting the other job. Don't know may be its my personality that i don't like to let things go.

I would like to thanks everyone who replied to my post. It was useful.

Edited by alec1975 on Friday 9th December 11:07

Edited by alec1975 on Friday 9th December 14:46

[alec1975]

TIGA84 said:

So, in short, after some very useful advice with positive outcomes on both points, you've successfully managed to fk both of them up?

I told them that due to a change in circumstances i won't be able to start before 6 months. In reply they said they can't wait that long and withdraw the offer.

The reason i mentioned six months because i knew they won't wait that long and would withdraw the offer. Didn't want to burn the bridges.