Quitting Before Starting

[romeogolf]

• Offered a job in May, start in 4 weeks from now (mid August).
• Turned the role down twice and was persuaded to take it by a better package (and some help from here!)
• One reason for turning it down was the commute being long. It's the same as my current role, but part of my motivation to move was to reduce this
• New company allowed flexible working so I can avoid the rush hour (come in and leave later or earlier so long as still doing X-per-week) and also allowed 1 day per week working from home which helped on this, but ultimately I'm still driving 70 miles/day to get to the office.

Another role has caught my eye much closer to home. It's a company I've previously been in touch with and they would like to interview me for the position.

• Basic salary offered is 12% less than my current, but would match it with the OTE. It's about 15% less than the new job I start next month (some of it is bonus based so hard to directly compare)
• Commute is barely a mile so could be walked, with a core part of the role being to support other sites but all the travel to be reimbursed at 45ppm which would essentially make me profit as my car does 50+mpg and is already insured for the mileage which I'm currently NOT paid for.
• This role would involve one-in-four weekends working (current and new role are Mon-Fri)

Being brutally honest, my heart has never been "in it" for the new role I've accepted. It mimics my current role but gives a salary bump and some flexible working, but I've taken it because that's an improvement and I'm quite unhappy where I am. The role I've seen advertised more recently is in an industry I left 3 years ago when I relocated, but one I'm happy to rejoin.

Should I pursue the new option? Is it unfair to be doing this when I've not even started the new job? If I pursue it should I let them know that I'm actually in the middle of a job move already?

[willisit]

Um.. people quit before they start all the time. In fact people sometimes just don't turn up on day one and never communicate.

So, unfair? I.. well, I doubt they'd notice in the long run. It's a job and you're replaceable (and you haven't started).

Do what you feel is right - you owe them nothing and they owe you nothing. It shouldn't be personal, it's your career.

Of course, the right thing to do is take the new job and tell the other place you're pulling out - at least communicate your intentions

[Collectingbrass]

I think you should pursue it, and explain that you have a commitment to start the other job on date x so would appreciate a decision at least new notice period before x so you can do the right thing by the other firm.

WRT to making the decision it sounds to me like you've made it already. If your reason for leaving your current employement is to reduce your commute time, why wouldn't you take the new new job?

You say the salary at the new new job is less but they will match the new job. I suspect when you work out what the commute costs you it will actually be better, then you are just into what is the cost to you of your commute time v the cost of the weekend working. You're getting 40 hours a month back for working 16 at weekends, sounds like a deal to me.

[Sir Bagalot]

Withdraw your acceptance. You're moving for the wrong reasons.

I spend 3 hours a day travelling and one of the must haves of the new job was travelling no more than half that. Simple as.

[Robb F]

You have to look out for yourself, no one else is going to for you. Just take the job you want and let the others know you won't be able to start with them.

[xjay1337]

The fact your heart has never really been in the new role says it all.

You can absolutely say "Sorry, I've thought about it and actually don't feel the role is for me". I've done it in the past and I too was very worried about it but the hiring guy said, OK fair enough.

[monoloco]

If the job isn't right for you then do what's best for you and walk away now. Its also the better outcome from the company's perspective not to start. Your name will be mud with the company ( and the agency if applicable) but a week later they'll have forgotten all about you. Far worse outcome for them would be if you start the job and then walk a few weeks/months later after they've invested time and money in bringing you up to speed in the new job.

[Little Pete]

monoloco said:

If the job isn't right for you then do what's best for you and walk away now. Its also the better outcome from the company's perspective not to start. Your name will be mud with the company ( and the agency if applicable) but a week later they'll have forgotten all about you. Far worse outcome for them would be if you start the job and then walk a few weeks/months later after they've invested time and money in bringing you up to speed in the new job.

I'm an employer and I totally agree with this.

[Steve Campbell]

You aren't happy where you are so you need to move. The existing job offer is better than current, but you haven't started. The new option is even better again. Pursue it but let them know you have a timeline for starting a new role...be honest with them about how perfect their role is compared to where you are already going. If you get this new one, great, if not...go try the one already on the cards.