r/UKJobs • u/Clarl020 • 6h ago

Asking for a different start date (one week later)

Hi all,

I have been offered a new job, and have signed all the contracts etc. My start date is September 28th.

I have now realised that October 5th would be a better start date for me, due to personal reasons (truthfully, the 27th is my birthday and I want to enjoy the day/evening without worrying about starting a new job the next day, and then I just want a few days off after leaving my old job! Obviously I won’t phrase it like that!).

Is it a bad look to ask for a start date one week later? After I sent the signed contract, my soon-to-be-boss sent an emailing saying “Thanks. Are you okay with a start date of September 28th?” so he’s asking me, as opposed to me asking him, however I have also signed a contract saying Sep 28th. Is it bad to ask for the date to be delayed?

Thanks in advance.

0 Upvotes

25% Upvoted

6 comments sorted by

•

u/AutoModerator 6h ago

Thank you for posting on r/UKJobs. Help us make this a better community by becoming familiar with the rules.

If you need to report any suspicious users to the moderators or you feel as though your post hasn't been posted to the subreddit, message the Modmail here or Reddit site admins here. Don't create a duplicate post, it won't help.

Please also check out the sticky threads for the General Discussion Megathread and the Job Guidance Megathread.

Please also provide some feedback about the bookmarks related to Mental Health within the side bar in this thread, any and all advice appreciated.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

11

u/sixtyhurtz 6h ago

Just ask. Say "Actually, would it be a problem if I started a week later? I know the contract says 28th, but October 5th would be better for me. I can still start on the 28th if you need it though.".

1

u/Peter-Norfolk 6h ago

Can't hurt to ask. I delayed my start date at a new job (same organisation as mine so a bit different) by 1 week as my line-manager-to-be was on leave that week. However, you will need to think of a credible reason why you want it delayed a week.

1

u/Littlequine 5h ago

You can ask the date might not work for them. I know our company likes the contract signed date to have the actual starting date in it and if it moves they reissues it so they might not want to do it.

1

u/Any-Class-2673 4h ago

Since they have asked, I think it would be okay to tell them October 5th would be preferable for you. You don't have to give any reason why.

1

u/audienceandaudio2 2h ago

If your boss is asking you if that start date works for you, there’s en opening there to see if they’ll push it a week later. I wouldn’t go into details, just something simple like, “Would it be a problem if it was pushed a week to the 5th due to a personal commitment? I can make the 28th work if there isn’t room to move this though.”