Started a new job in Feb, been chased by another company since then to start with them but nothing confirmed as they are waiting for a contract with a big client in order for me to join.
We've met a few times and the know the package I'm after, since then they have still kept in contact stating the 'D day' will be yesterday. Got a call last night to say its 90% there and just waiting for contracts etc to be drawn up. However this morning they called and asked me to travel to Switzland for some training, I've stated unless I'm employed at the time by them I can't go due to work commitments in my currant job.
What the collective thoughts, Should I of tried to get time off for this or did I do the right thing and say no until I get offered a position in writing?
Thanks
Definately the right decision.
You did the right thing!
you work in a scone factory? 😉
I'd probably have been tempted to try to take some holiday so as to leave all options open
Wait to be employed. They've taken 8 months and still haven't got anything done. Who's to say they ever will? And anyway, with this new company will you be able do a few hours work in the middle of a long ride like yesterday ?
I'd never do anything until I've signed and returned a contract. People get screwed over even with an offer in writing.
Joe
One thing I forgot to mention is I've not accrued enough holidays in this new job so therefore have no holiday entitlement!
Yoda, more than likely yes as its working from home 🙂
You did the right thing waiting. Talk is cheap, don't do anything until you've signed the contract not just had a written offer which could be withdrawn.
If you think you must take time off for this training ask them to pay you the rate you've negiotiated for the job for the duration of the training, providing that it it doesn't conflict with your current employment contract. This will give you an idea about how serious they are about you.
if they are paying you to go then do it, otherwise...no.
It sets an expectation on how things might work in future if this type of thing is expected..
They've offered to pay me thats not an issue I don't think, they want me to hit the ground running if the contracts were to work out. My issue is, lack of holiday and I think its morally wrong to do this to my curent employer.
you owe them exactly what they have given you ...an unfilled promise to act when you get a contract.
kind of see where everyone is comming from and I think once I would have completely agreed, but I think the bottom line is do whats right for you and your to get on, stay in work and bring home a decent income.
take a days unpaid from your current job - you have no holiday anyway, so if you had decided to do the training then thats what you would likely have had to do. Accept the training and being paid for it. Appease the karma / morality gods by making a charitable donation to a worthy cause - doesnt have to be money - go do some volunteer work.
I see it as yep it might be morally wrong to go train with a possible future employer if you were being paid by your present employer and the future one - but as you would have to take unpaid leave anyway from your current one, you are essentially on your time, which is yours to do with what you like. Yep, there is no definite contract (and there may never will be by the sound of things) - so even if you go on the training and nothing materializes you might still have acquired some new info/skills (at someone else s expense too), which is useful. Plus, at some point I am sure your present employer wouldn't hesitate to screw you over if they had to - they're hardly likely to post on an internet forum saying 'oh dear, Ayatollah is a nice bloke, and we know its immoral but we might need to right royally shaft him, what should we do?' - I know mine (large university would have no qualms about it and dont think many companies would)
my $1.80
How long is the training and will you manage to get some MTBing in 😉
Unless you're employed, don't go. Even then, they're offering you a job based on a specific outside contract, so who's to say that they won't just get rid of you once that work is finished?
DaRC L we're talking a few days of intensive training on their own products.
Davy, contracts are ongoing and set for a min of 2 years, they're about to sell a couple of million £ worth of kit 🙂 The business is set to increase 7 fold and need someone in the UK to look after everything and set up new depts etc... It'll be good when I get taken on but not sure I want to risk my current income in the meantime.
Thanks for your thoughts! I think I've done the right thing.
What do you think your current employer would say/do if they found out you'd been on a training course for another company? (genuine Q, would they be a bit upset?? or not really that bothered)
I'd reckon you need a firm contract with the new lot before you think of doing the training and moving jobs.
Do you want to move jobs??
What do you think your current employer would say/do if they found out you'd been on a training course for another company?
Not Happy
Do you want to move jobs?
Yes badly
fwiw I reckon you've done the right thing, hopefully yhr new lot will come through soon!