Shorten My Notice Period?

[Jefferson Steelflex]

Potentially difficult conversation coming up at work. I would start by saying that I don't like this sort of thing, and am not comfortably doing it from a moral perspective but....

I've been offered a new job. The job is a significant pay increase, which is nice, but they have indicated on the verbal offer I have so far that they would require me to start within 2 months. I am waiting for the formal offer but the conversation was clear that the offer is contingent on starting by x date.

I am on 3 months notice, so i will need to try and negotiate myself out of that. In addition, I am due to receive my annual bonus halfway through my notice period. Under the scheme rules, I am entitled to receive the bonus, but it does cloud the water somewhat.

Anyone have any guidance on how to start the conversation or experience of similar? Ideally i'd like to get the notice down to 2 months and the bonus paid in full.....

I'm thinking:
1) Give notice
2) Get bonus, then
3) Ask to leave earlier

[Jefferson Steelflex]

Thanks for the comments so far.

The bonus is discretionary of course, but the only specific clause they have put in is it will not be paid if the person is not employed on the date of payment (end of March). So, technically, I should get it, and others in the past have done so, but this is a sticking point still. It's further clouded by us not knowing what it will be (they never tell us, which is rubbish) and it could be £100 or it could be £x,000. In fact, it could even be zero.

I like the idea of addressing the pain point in the resignation letter - we are under severe budget constraints and I am not a cheap resource (as my boss constantly reminds me), so I think that is a good angle to use.

I certainly won't be doing anything until I have the offer in writing from the new company. Still checking my email every 10 minutes to see if it's arrived yet....

[Jefferson Steelflex]

No major updates yet, I can expect the formal offer early next week and the stance has softened to "we'd like you as early as possible, so do what you can...".

I did, however, have a chat with HR off the record yesterday about a 'friend' and they confirmed that my friend would be eligible for the bonus under the scheme rules whether on notice or not. It was fixed on 31/12, so if you're employed on 1/1/17 (as I was) then it is due in full.

It's a bit cat and mouse at the moment - i'm trying to find out what the bonus will be as if it is really low (which I suspect it will be based on company performance) then it's not worth making a fuss over. Then the conversation is "keep the bonus, and i'll leave earlier". Depending on numbers i'd make up the 'lost' bonus in one or two months anyway.

Perhaps not worth updating over, but it's Friday and I wanted to waste 10 minutes before going home. Thanks for all responses so far. To be continued...