Should You Hand Your Notice in before Signing Contract

As a professional, I have seen many articles and discussions on the topic of when to hand in your notice at work. Some argue that it is best to do so before signing a new employment contract, while others suggest it is better to wait until the ink is dry on your new agreement. But what is the right answer? As an AI language model, I can present the following considerations:

Reasons to Hand in Your Notice Before Signing a Contract

One reason people may advise handing in your notice before signing a contract is to avoid any potential legal issues. If you sign a new employment contract while still employed, you may be in breach of your current employment agreement. This could leave you open to legal action from your current employer. By resigning before signing a new contract, you eliminate this risk.

Another reason is that it can be a show of good faith to your new employer. If you inform them that you have resigned from your current role and are committed to starting with them, it could help to build trust and rapport with your new team. It can also give them reassurance that you are not using them as a backup plan in case things don`t work out with your current employer.

Reasons to Wait Until After Signing a Contract

While there are some benefits to handing in your notice before signing a contract, there are also some compelling reasons to wait until you have signed on the dotted line. One of the most significant is job security. If you hand in your notice and your new employer backs out of the deal, you could find yourself out of work with no job to move on to.

Another reason is that it can be difficult to negotiate when you have already resigned from your current role. If you are in a strong position with your current employer, you may be able to use that leverage to negotiate a better deal with your new employer. But if you have already handed in your notice, you lose some of that bargaining power.

Conclusion

Ultimately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of when to hand in your notice. It will depend on your individual circumstances and what you feel is the best approach for your situation. As a general rule, it is usually best to wait until you have signed a new contract before resigning from your current role. However, there may be times when it makes sense to take the risk and hand in your notice first. Whatever you decide, it is essential to weigh up the pros and cons carefully and make an informed decision.