Would You Quit Your Job 1 Week into It after Being Offered Another?

I had been out of work for a few weeks and had been applying for multiple jobs. I got a job with a smallish company which pays pretty well but then received an offer from a much larger company a week later. They don't pay nearly as much but still respectable, and they also offer other benefits including paid maternity/partenity leave.

I'm wondering if any one in the community has ever been caught in such a situation or similar?

What would you do or not do? what other things would you consider before making a decision?

Is it rude to quit one week into the job? especially because these roles can be difficult to find a candidate for?

Comments

  • +13

    Aren't you on a probation period? Either you can leave anytime or employer can ask you to leave anytime during that period.

    • +1

      agree, unless they waive your probation period (which they wont), then you dont waive their probation.

      • what if the new joint doesnt waive probation either

    • +3

      If OP wasn't on probation what would stop them from quitting, can employees really be sued just for quitting a regular job?

      • +1

        Yea they oughta just check their contract and blow the popsicle stand if it's okay to do so.

      • +1

        Chance of being rehired again at the same place within the next 5 years usually.

    • +2

      I can leave with one week notice during the 6 month probation period per my contract

  • +8

    Bigger company doesn't mean better.
    What industry?

  • +8

    Who cares. You aren't going to use them as a reference anyway if you change jobs, it'll be as if that job never existed. If you told them about the better job offer they aren't going to match the salary or benefits, they will tell you they will and string you along until they can replace you. If the other job is better then you should quit. If it's not actually better, then you shouldn't. Have to wonder why a small company is paying you more though, is it still more after all the benefits you would use at the other job are added up? You wouldn't use paternity and maternity leave for example, surely you would only qualify for one or the other. And if you have no kids and don't plan on having kids then that benefit is worth $0 to you. You should always quit for a better job, but only if that job actually is better. Obviously you shouldn't leave a good job for a bad one.

    • +1

      The smaller company does have pretty good culture from what ive observed so far, and plus ive been stung by larger companies before so im hesistant. I just dont know what the new bigger company will be like until i actually start. The other worry is more the stability of the work itself especially since i keep hearing many people will be losing jobs next year.
      Ill definitely use the partenity/maternity leave. a lot of companies class it the same now.. paid parental leave they call it now. i guess it's really the unknowns that worry me

      • +2

        If you could take it or leave it, why not ask them to up their offer. What have you got to lose, you don’t already work there so you can still negotiate.

  • +4

    Why would you take the lower paying job for potential paid parental leave?

    • because its not that much lower, and plus they have other benefits. Them being a bigger company worth billions, i feel i may have better job security with them

      • +10

        You used the term 'they don't pay nearly as much' which to me means a big discrepancy.

        As for better job security, you're probably better off at the smaller company if you make yourself indispensable. Large companies swing the axe with ease and care less about their personnel.

        • yes i did. 10k difference guaranteed. I could potentially make more at the larger company thou if production targets are met (15% bonus).

          • +2

            @manman22: They'll do everything they can to minimise your actual bonus, in my experience.

          • @manman22: Well you're on the cusp of answering your own question then.

      • +4

        hem being a bigger company worth billions, i feel i may have better job security

        Haven't you noticed the large construction companies that have gone belly up lately?

  • +4

    Probation is a chance for BOTH parties to assess the other and exit the relationship with no obligation. You can leave for any reason, just don't be a jerk about it because you never know who knows who and where people end up.

    Is it rude to leave after a week? probably, but I've heard of it being done before, and not just once or twice.
    Be honest and be quick about notifying your manager because it gives your current employer the best chance to make an offer to their second choice. Just be sure that the other role is the one you really want because there's likely no going back.

  • +2

    Can you use this to your advantage? Try to play them off each other.
    Companies don't care about you, so leverage this to your advantage.

    For your existing smaller company, let them know you have had a generous offer from another respected company that you are thinking about, and see if they can offer something more than you are currently getting.
    For the other larger company, let them know you have taken up a new position since your application, and that you are thinking about their offer, but it is a bit underwhelming compared to your current position. Ask if they could improve on their offer, which will entice you to move over to their company.

    After that, see what they offer, and make up your mind from there.
    There is no loyalty today, from both sides, so just play the game.

    • +1

      i agree, i will definitely leverage this

  • Sometimes a bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush

    • +3

      Leave the birds alone and stick with hands in the bush - much more fun for all involved.

      • +1

        Is that where the maternity leave comes in?

        • +1

          Not with hands in the bush, doesn't work like that. Needs something else in the bush.

  • +2

    The only advantages of the second company sound like mat/pat leave and possibly more career growth opportunities. The parental leave is only useful if you’re thinking of having kids sometime soon and it’s a decent amount. Career growth is probably a big one to consider. Also consider how much you like the people in your current job - if you’re liking the vibe so far that could be worth staying for. You could jump ship into a toxic work culture.

  • +1

    Do what's best for you and what you want to do.

    The company won't think twice about firing you, and you owe them no loyalty or anything. There typically isn't any repurcurssions as well in most cases unless you just leave without saying anything and it's a tiny niche industry or similar.

    I've hired many people and it doesn't really matter to me what the hired employee does in a sense. Some have left a month in, some were offered the position and rejected it, some have stayed for 4 years+. Over time as a hiring person you'll see it all, and it really doesn't matter to us as long as you just communicate what's happening and what you want to do.

  • +1

    Stick to smaller con company to accelerate your career then change once you have a better title

  • +3

    My 2c, take the higher pay if conditions are much the same. As others have said, there's no guarantee of job security with larger corps either, particularly given the recent trend of downsizing. No harm asking if the smaller company will match, just be sure you will commit to them if they agree.

    If you intend to leave, doing it earlier would be better. Lets them find a replacement quicker if they can reach out to the other candidates before they find something else and they will only have spent minimal time/resources on training/induction.

  • The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. (Not)

    • +2

      Statistically this is true 50% of the time.

      • +1

        Not if you water your lawn & your neighbour doesn't.

        • That's when it's exactly and indisputably 50% true.

          • @afoveht: Only from your point of view, from my point of view my neighbour's grass is never greener because I water my lawn and he/she doesn't.
            So from my point of view your statement in this case is always false.

  • Small

  • +1

    I'm wondering if any one in the community has ever been caught in such a situation or similar?

    yes. I ended up re-negotiating a better package with the first company using the send offer as leverage.

  • +1

    Go for a walk after work. Ask yourself, not the world online.

    The person may change jobs but your conscience won't relocate.

    • That’s so deep I just fell into a hole (whilst going for a walk). Would have preferred a metaphorical one

      • +1

        Watch where you're going, grasshopper

  • +2

    I have been in a similar situation but actually hadn't started yet, I made my decision quick and told them sorry I have been offered a more challenging role more suited to my career progression (they are paying more).

    Tell them as early as possible to not waste your and their time on an endeavour that is going nowehere.

  • They don't pay nearly as much but still respectable

    Tell them that you've just started a new job on higher pay, if they'll match it you'll move to them. Best of both worlds. There's always wiggle room in salaries.

    That said, big company doesn't mean more secure. If a recession does hit big companies will have to fire people, they're so widely spread they react to the economy. Being the newbie means you might be first out the door.

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