New job ethics

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Natasha H

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I signed a contract with a company to start on 1 Dec as they want me to start asap, not really giving me much time to see what else is out there..

My predicament is that I have an interview with a great company on Wed, and what happens if I get the position?

Is it not a bit unethical to work 1 week, or 2 and then quit?

Also this company is paying me for the full December month, but is shutting down for christmas, and is therefore forcing me to take "annual leave"..

If I resign I will then basically loose December salary, or at least half of it..

What do I do if I get the job on Wed?
 
At best you'd probably be able to resign on say Thursday after your interview and give a month's notice (December).

You did sign a contract though so you're bound by it.
 
Yeah but isn't it quite rude, giving a months notice after one week? Just trying to get an idea if this is something that people do or if it's just completely unethical..

I feel like I am being underhanded :( And then selfishly, half a months salary also kind of sucks :)
 
I wouldn't do it. For me it is kind of unethical. Why did you sign the contract in the first place, if you were looking for better options? You could have given them a grace period of say 2 weeks, and if you havent found anything in that time, then take the position. Work is scarce, and we should all be thankful we have a job.
 
yes we lost our jobs.. So I had to sign the contract else I would have no salary for Jan.. They would not let me only start in Jan.. they interviewed me on Monday and wanted me to start the following week else they would look for someone else..

So yes.. Work is scarce and did not have a choice.. Although I did ask for Dec to finish my contract and to look if anything else came along. It was declined..
 
You have to honor your commitment ! You are legaly boud to do so,now that you've signed the acceptance thereof.
 
Natasha H said:
yes we lost our jobs.. So I had to sign the contract else I would have no salary for Jan.. They would not let me only start in Jan.. they interviewed me on Monday and wanted me to start the following week else they would look for someone else..

So yes.. Work is scarce and did not have a choice.. Although I did ask for Dec to finish my contract and to look if anything else came along. It was declined..
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Im sorry to hear you lost your jobs. Its a tough one. Look, this new company doesnt sound flexible, as they did not really give you enough time. So now, if you get the other interview, and the salary is better, go for it.
 
Did you go through a recruiter? That is the only potential sticky area.

I wouldn't consider this unethical as you do have to think of yourself first. The reality is that most companies do not have your best interests at heart.
 
I'd say it is unethical. Except, as someone said, there may be a way out if there's a probation period. The idea there, though, is that if you find you and the company don't suit each other, you can leave; it's not really meant to be a "if you find a better job you can leave" clause.
 
they should have a probation period ... in which time they can decided that you don't "fit" the standards ... but remember ... that works both ways .... so ... even though u signed the contract, you should still be able to leave in that probation period ... in the first month, I think you have to give notice of as many days/weeks u have worked there ... but that is different for each company ... and no ... I don't think it is unethical .... you doing whats best for you ... just like that company will do whats best for them!!
 
As an employer I'd hate to have someone working for me that doesn't really want to.

If Natasha started for me, then did the Wednesday interview and quit immediately. It would be better in the long run I reckon. If she doesn't do the Wednesday interview she'll probably leave very soon anyway because her heart isn't in the job.

If she does the Wednesday interview and doesn't get the job then that's fine because she'll have her answer and I'll never know about it.

I'd say go for the Wednesday interview. If you get the offer and take it tell your current boss immediately and offer to leave immediately without any pay. That way he/she can start planning to replace you immediately but has the choice to keep you on but pay you.
 
Yip, Waaib nailed it.

When we started we could give a week's notice, this then increased to 2 weeks after a while, and I think at 6 months it went to 1 month's notice. This works both ways.

Whatever you do, inform everybody as soon as possible so they can plan. It's an inconvenience, but at least you can start getting plans ready. Perhaps the company has a second candidate they can still get, which would minimize their 'downtime' as well.
 
Gomario said:
You have to honor your commitment ! You are legaly boud to do so,now that you've signed the acceptance thereof.
Click to expand...

This is 100% true.

Natasha H said:
I signed a contract with a company to start on 1 Dec as they want me to start asap, not really giving me much time to see what else is out there..

My predicament is that I have an interview with a great company on Wed, and what happens if I get the position?

Is it not a bit unethical to work 1 week, or 2 and then quit?

Also this company is paying me for the full December month, but is shutting down for christmas, and is therefore forcing me to take "annual leave"..

If I resign I will then basically loose December salary, or at least half of it..

What do I do if I get the job on Wed?
Click to expand...

Natasha H said:
Yeah but isn't it quite rude, giving a months notice after one week? Just trying to get an idea if this is something that people do or if it's just completely unethical..

I feel like I am being underhanded :( And then selfishly, half a months salary also kind of sucks :)
Click to expand...

Give notice, work the periode required and do not look back.

Its business not a friendship. Just my opinion.
 
Thanks for all the comments.. Had my first today and it was ok.. Very technical and I could definately get into it.. Just longer hours, longer travelling for not much more pay..

But as Niccia said, jobs are scarce so I am grateful I at least have something..

Will see what happens on Wed... I am quite excited about it :D
 
Jobs are very scare these days..

I will be doing a lot of firing next year. - When I start my new job :) As we will be doing interviews and those candidates with more experience will get the job :)

I just wish you all the best on your new job.
 
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