Resignation dilemma

**northernladuk** · 17 January 2012, 10:18

Resign and be available IMO. 2 months is a very long time. I found 1 month to be nigh on impossible so you have no chance with 2.

You could of course get a role and just go on sick from agency for 2 months but you will have to put up with a world of crap for a short time and it is very unprofessional.

Might cost you a bit to be on the bench until you get a role but once you get started it will be a distant memory very quickly.

**Scrag Meister** · 17 January 2012, 10:21

I was on 3 months notice when I made the move, so I resigned and it took another 3 months after leaving to find my first contract.

As NLUK said a "distant memory", with plenty of great new ones since.

If you do resign make sure that you are backed up with some cash, to keep you going.

Also now is quite quiet so be very careful, I think I would be tempted to start looking see what the interest is, maybe do a few interviews to gauge the market and then make a decision re leaving, saving some more cash as you go.

**GeorgeB** · 17 January 2012, 10:39

I'm on 3 month notice, currently 2 weeks remaining. Only now are agents telling me its the right time to start applying.

Bit scary not having a contract yet, but bloody exciting at the same time.

In situations like this, I think you just have to bite the bullet and resign.

Definetly need some backup cash though!

**Notascooby** · 17 January 2012, 10:39

Depends on your skill set - if it's in demand and you're confident of getting a role then go for it.
Maybe worth testing the water and applying for a couple of roles and not mentioning your availability issues or plain lying. Then if you get put forward for interview you know you're in a good place. If you start to apply and hear nothing for 2 months, then may wish to re-think.

But certainly prepare for the worst and have a some safety cushion if you're going to wing it.

**Sid** · 17 January 2012, 11:52

Negotiate for an early release

Agree with NLUK about not doing anything unprofessional as I want to keep good relation with my current agency for future references. So, would like to resign on good terms :-).
Most times recruiters ask if my notice period is negotiable.
What's the best way to negotiate the notice period with my agency for an early release? If personal reasons do not convince them and instead they ask me to compensate for a part of notice period should I negotiate with a prospective new employer to pay it off? Though I do not claim that my skillsets are unique and highly in demand!!

**swamp** · 17 January 2012, 12:08

Very often a new contract will be delayed a week or two by the client, or you can stall the new contract yourself by claiming you are on holiday. Add in some holiday at the end of your (permie) notice period, and one can easily whittle away a month.

**BolshieBastard** · 17 January 2012, 12:15

IMO, the market is pretty quiet right now. In fact, Id say it's very quiet.

I'd try a different approach for the time being such as;

If you are in a new leave year, try and save your leave and use that to offset the 2 months notice period.

Is it possible to renegotiate the 2 month's notice to 1 month or 4 weeks?

Leaving on 'good terms' is all well and good but you have to think of yourself. As a last resort, find your new job, give your notice and leave. OK you wont get a good reference but you are wanting to leave after all and quickly.

**rd409** · 17 January 2012, 13:42

Originally posted by Sid View Post

Agree with NLUK about not doing anything unprofessional as I want to keep good relation with my current agency for future references. So, would like to resign on good terms :-).
Most times recruiters ask if my notice period is negotiable.
What's the best way to negotiate the notice period with my agency for an early release? If personal reasons do not convince them and instead they ask me to compensate for a part of notice period should I negotiate with a prospective new employer to pay it off? Though I do not claim that my skillsets are unique and highly in demand!!

Most often the employers let the employees go early if they want, because no one prefers a bum on seat with 0 productivity. They would rather want a quick handover. Offer them flexible handover, and say you would be available to do handover to your replacement after you have left, if they are not able to find a quick cover. Of course this would have to suit you both, but then if you show some flexibility, the employer would hopefully be willing to compromise as well.

Last but not the least, do not forget: you are a permie right now. The company should not be able to ask you to compensate for any part of notice period. The only compensation they might have, is to not pay you the salary for unserved notice period. Good that you have started thinking as a contractor though.

Good luck.
Dave.

**sharper1** · 18 January 2012, 19:57

I just made the move into contracting from a permanent position and also found my notice period counted against me so decided to risk it and resigned. I had savings to keep me going and landed my first contract after 3 weeks.

Resignation dilemma