Singapore Expats

I tendered my resignation yesterday and current boss wants me to serve one month notice under the contract. need some advice. My new job starts one month from now. Here are the facts:

- current boss is very insistent that I stay for one month. He says that if I don't, I will be "leaving on bad terms" and "all goodwill is lost" amongst other threats
- current boss and I can't get along but I am aware of the possibility that somewhere down the road, future employers may call him for a reference (I won't volunteer him as a referee though)
- I have no more leave to clear to shorten the notice period
- I have the option of just paying current firm 1 month salary in lieu of notice (fully prepared to do that)
- both the old and new firm are in the same industry so there is some (but slight) possibility that I will meet my old boss in the future
- It is VERY important for me to have a 3 week break in between jobs to recharge and relax. If I serve one month notice, I can't do that.
- Should I go to my new firm and ask to start 3 weeks after the original start date?

You have to work out your month's notice, unless your employer releases you from this contractual obligation. And telling your new place you need three weeks off 'to relax' is hardly going to make the greatest of first impressions is it!

If you figured you could quit the current job, walk out the same day and have a few weeks off, I think you figured wrongly.

I'd say it's time someone grew up. As Mr. Gump liked to say, "Life is like a box of Chocolates........."

What is more important? 3 weeks off or possibility shafting yourself for many years to come? It only takes one "Aw Sh*t!" to wipe out 1000 "attaboys")

JR8 wrote:You have to work out your month's notice, unless your employer releases you from this contractual obligation. And telling your new place you need three weeks off 'to relax' is hardly going to make the greatest of first impressions is it!

If you figured you could quit the current job, walk out the same day and have a few weeks off, I think you figured wrongly.

as I said, I am prepared to pay off one month's salary in lieu of notice - this is expressly stated and allowed in the contract. the only issue is whether I want to burn bridges.

You might want to read your contract carefully. Most of those that give the ability to pay salary in lieu are contingent on both parties being agreeable to the "in lieu of". Of course, if your boss is being an a** about it, it might be because of the fact that you are going to work for a competitor. If you don't give proper notice according to the terms (technical terms) of the contract, he may well not cancel your EP until the month notice ends. That could still put you at a distinct disadvantage with the new employer. It also sends a signal to the new employer of the morals of their new staff and what to expect at some point in the future. These are the type of things you have to examine and place some valuation on. Local bosses can be very vindictive when they want to be.

Forewarned is forearmed.

sundaymorningstaple wrote:You might want to read your contract carefully. Most of those that give the ability to pay salary in lieu are contingent on both parties being agreeable to the "in lieu of". Of course, if your boss is being an a** about it, it might be because of the fact that you are going to work for a competitor. If you don't give proper notice according to the terms (technical terms) of the contract, he may well not cancel your EP until the month notice ends. That could still put you at a distinct disadvantage with the new employer. It also sends a signal to the new employer of the morals of their new staff and what to expect at some point in the future. These are the type of things you have to examine and place some valuation on. Local bosses can be very vindictive when they want to be.

Forewarned is forearmed.

there is no ambiguity on the right to pay off the one month. both sides recognize this and even the legal counsel of the current firm concedes such a right. I was hoping for some advice on whether it's usual for future employers to call up my current firm for a reference (even though i don't volunteer them)....if they won't, I have no qualms leaving immediately. as I said, there's no love lost between me and my current boss.

care to elaborate on the EP part? i don't really get it. I am a returning Singaporean. my current job is based abroad and my new employer is based in sg.

It's of no consequence for you. Your initial post did not indicate that your were a Singaporean nor that you were employed overseas. This is an Expat forum so naturally I/we assumed that you were not local. As to whether or not new employers check, I would say generally, here, no. But MNC's may well check, depending on your level of seniority.

If you are going through a reputable Headhunter (not too many of them here - if any) the headhunter may check on the employer's behalf. However, if you are interfacing with the new employer on your own it's anybody's guess but doubtful.

there is no ambiguity on the right to pay off the one month. both sides recognize this and even the legal counsel of the current firm concedes such a right. I was hoping for some advice on whether it's usual for future employers to call up my current firm for a reference (even though i don't volunteer them).....

I dont know about your new employer but, having worked for more than a few companies here including some who went bankrupt, regardless thr next employer asked me or not they always called the previoud employers for reference or had tried calling

I know thst much because one of my former employers changed their business and the director used to notufy me ehen prospective employers had called him

You have had more bad luck in the 10 years you've been here, squirrel, that 80% of this board put together!

I worked as a recruiter/headhunter for 14 years and have been an HR manager for another 7 years and from what I know, it's rare that an employer's HR department (or anyone else in the company) bothers to check references except for very high level positions (those with three initials for a title mostly).

You remind me of Linus. You know, the little guy in Peanuts with the little cloud always over his head. (I think it's Linus. )

Just wake up? I've been having early nights for the past 3 nights - my modem/router took a crap! No internet at home at the moment!

sundaymorningstaple wrote:You have had more bad luck in the 10 years you've been here, squirrel, that 80% of this board put together!

I worked as a recruiter/headhunter for 14 years and have been an HR manager for another 7 years and from what I know, it's rare that an employer's HR department (or anyone else in the company) bothers to check references except for very high level positions (those with three initials for a title mostly).

You remind me of Linus. You know, the little guy in Peanuts with the little cloud always over his head. (I think it's Linus. )

Just wake up? I've been having early nights for the past 3 nights - my modem/router took a crap! No internet at home at the moment!

Maybe I been pretty lucky

Of my employers since 98 my current one outlasted me and my first 5 year with one employer

All others didn't go past 2 years plus mAx and many dot com ventures they were

Not my asking or my wish it was

Oh... My post is from an Android tab. Get a tab chief. You can plug a keyboard to ICs Tabs

SMS: I know you are one century older than me, but... my line of work is nowhere closer to yours, and let's say, with bad experience comes good judgement ..

And ... well, maybe I am blessed with such experiences and such bosses .. so I know what to kiss and what to avoid ..

Like when a friend asked me to partner in a bar recently, I politely declined - cos that too -Moi has done and got burnt..

Oh, my current employer's annual turnover is over 300 mil, so I have one stable job I guess, unlike my previous ones .. and .. I also learnt that it is better to stick around in a fair paying job, than to look for higher paying jobs ..as long as the former is stable ..

ecureilx wrote:
Oh... My post is from an Android tab. Get a tab chief. You can plug a keyboard to ICs Tabs

I've got a Galaxy 10.1 Tab. Just no SIM card for it as I stay on WiFi when home or the office one when I'm at work. By not having a SIM card in it, I don't run up large data charges. That may well change though.

Last night I bit the bullet and retired my 7 year old Motorola L6 freebie and switched carriers and got a new Samsung S II with data package & dual SIM cards. I'll have to be very careful from now on!

Also switched my old PacNet ADLS (which I've had since 28.8 dial-up days) to Fibre. Gateway to be installed on the 23rd). So still no Internet at home! Unless I want to go the 3G route. (Haven't got the new SIM card yet as it has to be ported over first).

sundaymorningstaple wrote: Last night I bit the bullet and retired my 7 year old Motorola L6 freebie and ....

Finally, did it really happen ? I gotta see it to believe it . ..

I don't really see what the problem is here, other than you were trying to schedule a vacation between jobs and it didn't work out. One month notice seems like it would be a professional courtesy, even if it weren't written into your contract. My husband's contract stipulates a 6 month notice period...

I say suck it up and wait to relax until you're at least a few months into your new job when you're eligible for vacation time.

Yeap .. banks are very good examples on giving out the biggest paychecks and bonuses but are also notorious for the swift axe when the climate does not suit them!

ecureilx wrote: .. I also learnt that it is better to stick around in a fair paying job, than to look for higher paying jobs ..as long as the former is stable ..