Handing in Notice During Holidays

[bravopapa10]

Dear All,

I have just secured a job offer from another company. They are happy to wait till early next year (January 2018).
I am planning to hand in my notice once I receive my bonus (if I receive one) on the 20th of December 2017.
I have already booked a travel before securing this new job and I ll be away from the 16th of December to end of December 2017.
I am on a 4 weeks notice and my termination of employment is not really clear about special situations. it only says that either the company or myself can terminate the contract with 4 weeks notice.

Is there anything illegal with handing in notice during holidays? What are my risks/ or worst case scenario?
Once I am back from holidays, I should have 2 to 3 weeks to ensure smooth transition before my last day.
What should I do to not burn my bridges? Can the company write bad references on me if i do that?

Please advise me as I am a bit confused (and maybe panicked)

Kind Regards

 

[STDFR33]

You say you don’t want to burn any bridges. But you want to sit on this job offer until you get the bonus in your bank and then hand your notice in. It will leave a bitter taste in their mouth anyway.

They can give you a ‘bad’ reference. But only if the details contained in the reference are factual. They can also refuse to give you a reference.

With the bonus, you may actually find that you are contractually entitled to it anyway. You need to read your contract of employment in its entirety.

 

[bravopapa10]

Dear Sir. Thank you for your answer. The bonus is discretionary (it is in my contract). Handing in notice after receiving the bonus is standard in the finance industry. Yes it ll leave a bitter taste but thats life and when the right opportunity comes along it would be silly to miss it.

Could they refuse to give a reference letter? but on what basis? i ll most likely do my best to ensure a smooth transition. A mature company should after all behave professionally and understand that people move on. Dont you think?

 

[STDFR33]

They can refuse on the basis that they are not legally obliged to do so.

Yes, they ‘should’ be mature about things. But like isn’t perfect.

 

[bravopapa10]

Can I ask. How would you do if you were in my shoes? Knowing that what I am doing in standard in the industry...

 

[STDFR33]

Personally, and I’m not just saying it, I’ve lost out on two very good bonuses by handing my notice in at the earliest opportunity.

The first time, was for an employer that then head hunted me again after I’d gained further experience and qualifications for a different role.

The second, I gained a lot of very good friends that I’m still in regular contact with. They wouldn’t have been impressed if I’d had have left them in the crap.

In the flip side, I’ve handed in lover notice periods for dog poo employers. But I can walk away and hold my head high.

Despite what you may think, recruiting for right candidate isn’t quick or easy.If you have no loyalty to your colleagues or employer, then do as you propose. But don’t bank on getting a reference from them.

 

[bravopapa10]

Thank you for your honesty. My relationship with my colleagues/boss is ok and to be honest I don't want to let emotions interfere with my decision to leave my company and land in a new job that will ultimately help me better support my family. People do what they have to do because of various reasons. However, I see what you are saying. I ll definitely be mindful of the risk. Thanks so much for your reply

 

[obscure]

Talking as someone who resigned immediately, giving my employer a lot of notice, and then didn't get an annual bonus - I realise that bonuses are in part an incentive to encourage future good work but in the main they are a reward for work already done. As such I would take the bonus first and then resign.

 

[nelioneil]

Some companies actually claw bonuses back if that staff leaves within say 3 months of it being awarded!

 

[nelioneil]

Some companies actually claw bonuses back if that staff leaves within say 3 months of it being awarded!

 

[Gordon - Commercial Finance]

Since you are still unsure whether you are getting a bonus or not, I would be interested to know if your company pays bonuses on the day they are awarded/notified? Every company I've ever worked for, bonus letters are handed out in December or January, but the money doesn't show up until the next pay, or sometimes later, so you could be waiting a month to actually receive the cash. Also, every company I've ever worked for has a clause in the contract that if you resign after the bonus has been notified, but before it is paid, then the bonus offer is retracted. I would therefore check what the policy is, and check it thoroughly.
However as above your bonus is recognition for work already completed - resigning after you get it is something that happens regularly, and companies expect. I wouldn't expect that it will leave a bad taste in that respect.

Also, in reference to your original question, notice period can include holidays usually, but again check your contract. Also confirm that you have worked enough of the year to accrue full holiday entitlement and you won't get holiday pay deducted from final salary.