I've got a new job offer in hand and a tentative start date pending some checks which include a background check and drug test. The clinic has informed me that I've passed the drug test and there's no criminal record, so I'm just waiting for everything to be finalized. However, my current notice period is about to start, and if I don't give the full two weeks, I might miss out on getting paid for some of my accrued paid time off (PTO). Should I take a chance and resign early, or play it safe and wait, even if it means losing some money?
5 Answers
I'd recommend playing it safe and waiting until everything is finalized with the new job before resigning. It's always best to have your next step completely set up before making any moves. You don't want to risk losing pay on your PTO for the sake of a few days' notice.
Why not talk to your new employer? Let them know you're excited but that you can't give your two weeks until you get everything in writing. They might be able to accommodate a slightly later start date for you. It's a totally reasonable ask!
I tried to bring it up but wasn’t sure how they’d respond, so I'm preparing for both scenarios.
Remember that giving two weeks notice isn't mandatory, especially in the U.S., but it usually is a common courtesy. Just be clear about your intentions, and make sure you get everything signed before making any moves. Better safe than sorry!
Definitely play it safe! But you might want to ask your new employer for a start date that allows you to give proper notice. A lot of companies understand the importance of leaving on good terms, and they shouldn't have an issue with it.
I’d suggest holding off giving your notice until you've received confirmation for your new position. That way, if something goes wrong, at least you won't be left without another job. If it ends up being less than two weeks' notice, so be it. It's better than risking everything too soon!
Yes, I agree! I had a similar situation where the HR team took longer than expected to finalize everything, and asking for a bit of delay was perfectly understandable.