ajcjobs > BlogBreak > Archives > 2006 > July > 31 > Entry
Job Offers: An Ethical Dilemma
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Imagine that you’ve been unemployed for more than six months. Despite your best efforts of networking, applying for jobs, and actively seeking new employment, you still haven’t had even one interview turn into an offer.
At this point, your finances are in dire circumstances: You only have $137 left your savings account, you’re close to losing your home, and the lump-sum severance package you were offered is nearly depleted, you’re running up your credit card balances higher and higher each week.
And finally, your hard work pays off! You’re invited to interview at a small company for a position that pays well, but will not challenge you in the long term.
The hiring manager calls you the next morning and offers you the position. Out of pure excitement to be working again, you immediately accept the position and arrange to start work the following Monday morning!
Two weeks into your new position, you receive a message at home from a former colleague.
Upon returning the call, you learn that she has recently taken a management position at a well-known company and needs to hire someone for a new office that her company will be opening across town. Because you’ve worked together for years, she knows you’d be the perfect fit and offers you the job. She’d like to know if you could start in about a month.
You’re elated because the new position is a much better fit, and although the pay is similar, you’d have to drive across town each day.
Of course, there’s the obvious ethical issue…what are you going to say to your current employer?
You’ve made a commitment to you current employer, they’ve invested time and money in training you for your new role, and you certainly don’t want to burn bridges with your current boss, because you genuinely like him.
On the other hand, the new position offered to you by your former colleague would really be your first choice. Do you make the move?
Is it wrong to leave your current employer after six weeks?
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Della
July 31, 2006 09:30 AM | Link to this
Leaving this soon after the company invested in you blows the aforementioned bridge to smithereens!
By karsh
July 31, 2006 09:32 AM | Link to this
Absolutely not! Most jobs I’ve been employed in either a) won’t invest 2-6 weeks in training a new employee because they expect them to hit the ground running, and b) still think of you as the “old” (insert person’s name who was in your position before you).
So…on what to say to the current employer? Hand in a letter of resignation, short and sweet, and leave it at that. You’re not obligated to let them know the reasons why you’re leaving. If this is taking place in an employment-at-will state, the company can release you with out notice. Why give them the benefit of the doubt?
By Dorothy
July 31, 2006 12:37 PM | Link to this
You were terminated after 16 years of employment with one company. While looking for new employment your old company states you are not rehirable to prospective employers and then state they can not go into detatils. What can you do?
By Karsh
August 3, 2006 10:37 AM | Link to this
Re: Dorothy - Entreprenuership, my dear. Take the brass ring and go!
By Amber
August 3, 2006 03:05 PM | Link to this
I have always tried to be the loyal employee, and ended up trying to treat people in business the way I would treat a friend or family member. This loyalty has never been reciprocated or appreciated, and I’ve ended up hurting myself professionally by being this way.
If they found someone who could do your job better for less money, I believe they would let you go.
I would write a resignation letter and thank them for their time and the opportunity, give notice, and move on to greener pastures.
By Jim
August 4, 2006 09:53 AM | Link to this
1) Are you helpless? Attack that new job and seek out challenges — don’t wait for them to be offered. Aspire to be the best new hire in that company’s history.
2) Concerning the new job — just because it sounds good is no promise that it will be the job of your dreams, even with a pal on the inside. It could end up being worse.
This is big-boy school. Honor your committment.
By Ann
August 7, 2006 11:19 AM | Link to this
I worked for a company for a while when we had a new hire. She was there for a month before she gave her notice — a dream opportunity with another company she had interviewed with prior to taking the current job had a lengthy interview process (almost 3 months), and she needed the work and didn’t know that the dream job would come through. When she decided to accept the dream job, she politely and professionally gave our boss her notice, explained the situation, and they wished her well.
While that isn’t always the way it plays out (some hiring managers may take it as a personal attack), many people will understand that if a better opportunity comes along, you have an obligation to yourself to take it.
By Ann
August 7, 2006 02:27 PM | Link to this
I am currently in the same situation. I am currently employed and my 90-day probation is almost over. I have an interview with a more prestigious company, that offers better benifits, and better pay. Although I don’t know if I have the position yet, it is looking very promising. Here is the question, should I show up for the interview or should I pass? What should I tell my current employer as to why I need the day off? What if I am offered the position? It’s like too many questions not enough answers.
By Charlie
August 8, 2006 10:48 AM | Link to this
I hate to say this, but it’s true: you cannot treat your employer like a friend, because if push comes to shove, they will do what they have to do for the bottom line. I recently left a company that treated almost all their employees like dirt. Because I still didn’t want to burn bridges or make enemies, I gave my proper two weeks notice (which was a week before the week of July 4th, when everyone employee would receive two days holiday pay. Long story short: I gave my notice on Tuesday. I came down with a sick stomach Wednesday and called in sick to work (before my scheduled shift began) and apologetically informed my boss that I didn’t think I could make it in. I showed up to work on Thursday again and was called in to HR within an hour. HR jerk says that “considering what happened yesterday, they were gonna go ahead and let me go that day”. They said they were just accepting my resignation then. You probably won’t be surprised to learn that I never got my holiday pay. I am still trying to catch up financially because of their shenanigans. Take-home lesson: Screw employers—don’t give them notice and have a lawyer on speed-dial. Also: No good deed goes unpunished. Sorry about the length of my post—this company put a bad taste in my mouth.
By King
August 8, 2006 04:03 PM | Link to this
The way these companies lay people off left and right. I don’t see what’s the debate. Do you and what’s best for you & your family. Give them notice and wish them well once you’ve secured the other position.
By carla
August 10, 2006 12:43 PM | Link to this
Listen, do the right thing by them and by you and your family. You don’t do them a favor by sticking around full of regrets that could turn into resentment and bitterness. However, wait until it comes closer to your start date and give a written notice or wiser still, wait until you actually start the position. I should know…as I was offered a position, turned down another position only to have the former one “rescinded”. Wait on the Lord and pray.
By pr
August 11, 2006 09:48 AM | Link to this
Take the job you want. If the company that offered you the first job decides to boot you out in six months or less, they won’t think twice. They are protecting their interests, I suggest you protect yours. If you don’t take the opportunity you want now, you may never get another chance!