Resignation dilemma

[SimonMac]

If you got the stones resign but not give two months notice, what is the worse that they can do?

As a permie you can't be sued, reference may be an issue but if you go to HR for a reference rather than your line manger they may just give you a stock "worked from xxx to yyy and was titled zzz"

[Alphafemale]

I agree with simonmac, iiwy I'd resign anyway, they're really not going to sue for breech of contract.

[d000hg]

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

Absolutely. Do NOT go this route if you depend on finding work immediately.

[The Spartan]

WHS I was quite lucky when I went for my first role as I hadn't long been in my new permie role and was still in the probationary period and therefore only had to give a weeks notice. Mind you though I was up against it in the sense that I landed the role about a week before my probation was up.

Make sure you're got some collateral to tide you over, I didn't and it is/was the biggest worry I have. Saying that if you skills are in demand you'll be fine

[MarillionFan]

I would also resign. I have gone contract to perm twice in the last 15 years when it has suited before resigning later and going back contracting.

Apart from my first time(which was a walkout), the one thing I have always ensured the last two times was to have surplas holiday(2 weeks on one, 3 weeks on the other). This can give you an option during your notice period to jump into a contract by using it up if the opportunity arises. If it doesn't arise the company has to pay you for that holiday and that goes a little way to providing you some financial cover while you look.

[d000hg]

If you got the stones resign but not give two months notice, what is the worse that they can do?

As a permie you can't be sued, reference may be an issue but if you go to HR for a reference rather than your line manger they may just give you a stock "worked from xxx to yyy and was titled zzz"

I agree with simonmac, iiwy I'd resign anyway, they're really not going to sue for breech of contract.

Hardly a professional attitude.

[SimonMac]

Hardly a professional attitude.

Professional Attitude was to be available for the paying client when they need you, there is no room for loyalty or emotion to your current permie employer

[northernladuk]

Professional Attitude was to be available for the paying client when they need you, there is no room for loyalty or emotion to your current permie employer

Don't agree sorry. That is mercenery attitude not professional. Professional attitude is to stand by agreements you signed in good faith (amongst other things) in this instance.

[TheFaQQer]

I am on a permanent payroll with my agency and I want to change job asap. But my 2 months notice period clause is making my profile "unattractive" to recruitment agents whose clients always want the candidate "immediately on board". Should I resign first and look for a job offer so my availability becomes more and more "attractive" as I get closer to my employment end date;Or to be on the safe side wait for a job offer and then resign?
Advise pls!!

Your options seem to be

1) Resign now, wait a bit and then look for something else nearer to the end of your permie job.
2) Resign now, find something sooner, negotiate to leave permiedom sooner than planned.
3) Find a contract that will wait for you, and then resign.
4) Find a contract that will wait a little bit for you, resign, and negotiate the departure.
5) Find a contract that will not wait for you, resign and walk without giving the right notice.

With the exception of 3, they all have different risks.

1) You end up with nothing. If the market is booming for your skills, then you should have no problems finding something, though/
2) You end up with nothing in the two months of looking. Or, you find something, but cannot leave early - which means you either miss the contract or leave early (same as 4 really)
3) No risks, but unlikely to happen
4) Permie job won't let you go early, so you lose the contract or walk early.
5) Pisses off permie employer.

How small is your market? I've worked with the same few people a number of times, so pissing off someone who might then slate you to other potential clients is not a good idea.

All you can really do is try to be professional with everyone. When I made the leap, I was lucky and negotiated a much shorter notice period than was in my contract (helped by the contract being badly worded which meant that I could actually walk without giving notice).

Unless you are likely to find a decent contract quickly, I'm not sure I'd be walking from a permie role in this economic climate.

[Sid]

Your options seem to be

1) Resign now, wait a bit and then look for something else nearer to the end of your permie job.
2) Resign now, find something sooner, negotiate to leave permiedom sooner than planned.
3) Find a contract that will wait for you, and then resign.
4) Find a contract that will wait a little bit for you, resign, and negotiate the departure.
5) Find a contract that will not wait for you, resign and walk without giving the right notice.

With the exception of 3, they all have different risks.

1) You end up with nothing. If the market is booming for your skills, then you should have no problems finding something, though/
2) You end up with nothing in the two months of looking. Or, you find something, but cannot leave early - which means you either miss the contract or leave early (same as 4 really)
3) No risks, but unlikely to happen
4) Permie job won't let you go early, so you lose the contract or walk early.
5) Pisses off permie employer.

How small is your market? I've worked with the same few people a number of times, so pissing off someone who might then slate you to other potential clients is not a good idea.

All you can really do is try to be professional with everyone. When I made the leap, I was lucky and negotiated a much shorter notice period than was in my contract (helped by the contract being badly worded which meant that I could actually walk without giving notice).

Unless you are likely to find a decent contract quickly, I'm not sure I'd be walking from a permie role in this economic climate.

Option 4 looks good in my case. But I am wondering what should I tell the recruiter/new client when he asks "What's your notice period?" or "Are you still working at xxxx?". I am contemplating one of these,

a). "I have a 2 months notice period which is negotiable."

b). Hide the fact about about my 2 month's notice period and say one of these
i. "My contract is getting over in a week's time and I am available immediately after that"
ii."I have a 1 month notice period which I can negotiate to 2 weeks."
iii."I am not working anywhere and immediately available for a new contract"