Notice/new job - would this be CF behaviour?

[Waryjen]

I’ve just interviewed for a job with a new company and expect to hear early next week.

My notice period is 3 months. If I hand in my notice before a specific date in mid-May, I am no longer eligible for the annual bonus paid in June. If I hand my notice in after this date, I remain eligible.

I expect the bonus to be in the region of c.£4000, which is around what I earn a month.

Would it be cheeky of me (if offered the job) to ask if I could defer handing my notice in until then, meaning it would take longer than the 3 month notice period until I could join them?

I was thinking I could say I’ve got a 2 week holiday in 3 months time so I wouldn’t be able to start until after that anyway…

Yeah I’d probably say I have a holiday first two weeks of August so can start Monday 17th (if that works for your May date). If they’re happy with a 3 month notice period I doubt mid August vs start of August will make a huge difference to them.

You’d be mad not to. It’s only two weeks. Unless you’re doing a job that’s super important and potentially life saving, like brain surgery (I don’t think there’s bonuses for that, so I’m sure you’re not), I wouldn’t think twice about it.

No it wouldnt and if they are prepared to wait 3 mths then a couple more weeks wont matter. Be upfront about it as soon as possible though. Is there anything you can offer such as doing a settlingin/meeting people day before your official start date as a gesture?

I had a similar issue where I wanted to delay start date for a different reason recently. In the end it didn't matter anyways because whilst they offered me the role quickly it took them a month to send me my contract etc. So in the end it didn't matter. So be conscious that although the informal offer might be quick, an official offer might take time which wins you time ie I wouldn't worry about this yet

Doesn’t hurt to ask. I’d use the holiday excuse. Good luck!

A lot of jobs have to go through signing of contracts, referencing etc. anyway. It's sensible to have a signed contract in hand before handing in your notice. Wait until after the May date. I doubt the company will do the maths exactly, Besides which- August is a bad time to start new people anyway, as so many are away.

Why wouldn’t you just be clear about the potential loss of bonus - that way the company can either wait for you or buyout the lost income.

Have you told the new job your notice period?
Could you fudge a bit after getting the offer by saying the person you need to hand your notice in to is on leave? Otherwise you could go with the holiday idea, but is it a good idea to start a new job with a lie? I mean I can understand not wanting to miss out on £4,000 but if the new job is what you want and you want to do well and it presumably comes with a pay rise anyway….,

Completely normal. Just have a human to human conversation with your new line manager and explain the situation.

My last employer made a big fuss about me doing the same, insisted I had to start ASAP (and then ignored me for my first month as it was over Christmas) - in retrospect should have been a red flag they didn't care about me one jot.

Are you 100% sure you will get your bonus in June if you resign mid May? In a previous company if anyone resigned and was eligible for a bonus, payroll was immediately emailed to removed bonus from pay! Even people who had letters/ emails confirming their bonuses amounts that month didn’t get them once they resigned.

Personally I’d wait until money had hit my account, or maybe day before payday if brave!.

I assume in your interview you said you had a three month notice period but didn't go into specific details? In which case, I can't see a problem at all.

For a start, they always say, "we'll confirm by bext week"... and it's never next week. But even if i its, but th etime you've got a signed contract in place, it's close so you just say that you can't start until the end of August or early September.

This is what I wanted to say!

^ this - it’s very normal to want your bonus!

I agree - I would also definitely check and double check that. Sometimes it is as simple as having been notified of a bonus you get it regardless, sometimes you still need to be on payroll the date it’s paid and sometimes regardless of the first two if you’re working your notice the bonus is withdrawn.

Completely normal.

Deferred start or buy out of bonus.

Given the timeframe is so short, they'll defer the start.

Agree with those saying tell the truth, very normal to want to stay for a bonus

also do check that you are definitely eligible if you’re under notice at the time it is paid

It makes no difference to the new company, just give them the date when you want to start. You don't need an explanation or a lie... However, surely they will be contacting your old company for references so it will be abundantly clear that you are leaving and questions may be raised.