I accepted a new position at another library. When should I submit my two-weeks notice?

[u/mammiemilker]

I am currently employed at a local public library. I was offered a position at another library (as a librarian!), with the tentative start date being Monday, November 23. The position is board approved, which is set to occur at their Tuesday, November 17 meeting.

I want to give my two-week notice to my current employer by Tuesday, November 3. This will give me a short vacation before the start of my new position. It will also mean that I am leaving in good-standing, and I thus will be able to cash out my unused vacation time. However, I do not want to submit a resignation prior to the board approval of my new position.

Would it be stupid to submit a resignation before this occurs? I could potentially ask to have my start date delayed until the following week; would this set a bad impression if requested? I know the board approval is a mere formality, but I feel uncomfortable submitting a resignation without certainty my position will be approved. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

[u/molybend]

They should not expect you to risk your current job until the offer is guaranteed. It is not at all unprofessional to request to start two weeks after the approval. I’d be fine asking for three weeks myself.

[u/SunGreen24]

Don’t give notice until the position is approved. And when they do approve it, let them know you need to give two weeks’ notice to your current job. That’s a standard professional courtesy, they really can’t argue with that.

[u/OtherPossibility1530]

While board approval feels like a formality, you literally aren’t officially hired until it happens. You shouldn’t ever resign before board approval! Anywhere I’ve worked understands that and expects you to give notice the next day, so I find it odd that they want you to start so soon after. I would explain that you need two weeks notice to leave in good standing and can start on December 1st, or try to go for the three weeks do you can have a break in between.

[u/quothe_the_maven]

Doesn’t matter the field - never treat these things as final until there’s an official offer and official acceptance. A million things can happen in the meantime. I don’t mean to rain on your parade, because things will almost certainly be fine. But it’s like insurance…you REALLY regret if you didn’t do things properly and something goes wrong. If they’re pushing you not to do at least two weeks after the actual hire, that should set off all sorts of alarm bells.

[u/merrydarkling]

Congrats!!!! Have they sent you an offer letter? Did you already sign it?

[u/Real_Search284]

Hope it all works out, congratulations!

[u/Itsall_literal]

Do you trust your current employer? Can you just tell them straight up what is going on ahead of time?