I’ve been in the market for a new job. I know that normally, one should give two weeks notice before leaving the old job, and in this case, I have some financial incentive to do so.
My (present) company’s policy is to pay for unused vacation time, provided two weeks notice is given. I still have a small amount of vacation time left. However, once Aug 12 (the anniversary of my hire date) rolls around, I will have an additional 3 weeks.
If I get offered a job between now and then, how likely would a potential employer be to understand my wanting to push off starting at the new job until the 26th (two weeks after the 12th)? While (if the raise was big enough) I would probably end up forgoing the extra vacation if it meant otherwise not getting the job, I certainly don’t want to give up the extra cash from the unused vacation pay, which I really could use.
I’m not an HR person, but I have known of many people who accept a new job without starting it immediately. One of the questions you get asked when they want to hire you is “When can you start?” Suggest the date most convenient for you. If they say they really need you sooner, you can negotiate the start date. If asked why, one good answer is that you feel obligated to not only give appropriate notice, but to assure an adequate hand-off of duties at your current employer. Also it’s a valid point to tell the new employer that you have a previously-scheduled vacation. They can always respond that they really, really want you sooner, and you can then agree to do so if it’s worth it to you to have the new job.
Yeah, I’m always flexible on start dates when I hire. It makes the interview process friendlier.
As long as it’s not TOO long, I suppose.
Heck, I once accepted a job with the understanding that I wouldn’t be quitting my old one until my wife went into labor. Then I started two weeks after that.
I’d suggest that you specify your available start date as the 26th, so that your prospective employer knows before hand. I’d sure hate to find out after making an offer to someone that they want to change start dates.
I’d suggest not getting into the details of why you need to start later. I’d be perfectly happy to have someone decline a request for an earlier start date if they said something like “My anniversary date at my current job is xxx, and there are significant financial implications if I leave before that date.”
I agree with this. While I’m not HR, if I heard someone state they needed the little extra time due to finances (and they were qualified for the job), I’d rather wait for them. Otherwise, that person would feel rushed, and could possibly be under financial strain and may not perform their best at work.
Zev - IANA HR Person, but in the companies for which I’ve worked, although your vacation time may be available on the first day of the year, or your service anniversary or whatever, it is still considered accrued time, and if you leave before you’ve put in enought time to cover the vacation days taken, that time will be deducted from your last paycheck.
I’m not actually looking to take the vacation time; I’m looking to cash it out (as per the company policy). In any event, you have to complete the year before the vacation time accrues (i.e. on Aug 12, I will get three week’s vacation for the previous year’s service, not for service I will render in the coming year), so I think I’m probably on fairly solid ground there.
I work in HR, and there’s a bit part here that confuses me.
Firstly, with August 12th your anniversary date, you will be given an additional 3 weeks of unused vacation time. This time will be yours from the 13th forward and you will receive it as long as two weeks notice was given, correct?
So, had you given your two weeks notice back in July 30th, your last day would be August 13th. On the 13th., your additional vacation pay allowance has already been added to what you had and you DID give two weeks notice. So, I don’t see why you wouldnt recieve it as part of your final pay per. company policy?
I think your concern may be moot because as long as you give your two weeks, you will receive any unpaid total vacation time you have accrued on your last day, which from the 13th on would already include the additional three weeks, no?
IOW, you don’t lose out on that August 13th simply because you provided your two week notice before the 12th. All final pay plus any unused sick or unused vacation (if applicable) you are eligible form is calculated using your final date of employment.
Simply tell the prospective new employer that you will not be available until the 26th, due to an obligation to give adequate notice to your current employer. As an employer, this is something I like to hear. If the candidate is unwilling to leave their old employer without notice, they’re probably going to give me the same courtesy.