Taking a month off between jobs?

[Anonymous]

I’m leaving my job in a little over a month; I just signed a contract with the new job. My plan was to take a transitional two weeks, but things are so bad here that I’m tempted to take the whole month off between jobs, but that would obviously be a financial hit (a month’s salary from savings.) But my mental well-being is shot (my current workplace gets more toxic by the day), and the dread is real, every day. FWIW, I DO have the savings to do this, but I don’t know that this is how I should really spend a month’s salary, if that makes sense.

I understand your answers will be anecdotal and subjective, but I’m curious what YOU would do and why. Basically, explain to me why or why not this would be a good idea.

[Anonymous]

One thing to consider: it is much easier to withdraw an offer than to lay off an employee. If there is any chance that the offer might be rescinded, I would not want to delay my first day.

[Anonymous]

Do it! You only have the chance to do stuff like this between jobs, if you have the savings to make it work it's definitely worth it. I took over a month off between my last job and this job and I traveled for 2 of those weeks and I started the new job refreshed and ready to dive in instead of wishing like I had taken more time.

[Anonymous]

That sounds like a dream! Anecdotally, I know someone who is taking 2 months off between jobs, and that just sounds even better!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One thing to consider: it is much easier to withdraw an offer than to lay off an employee. If there is any chance that the offer might be rescinded, I would not want to delay my first day.

I’m confused. The new job is secure, I’ve signed a contract.

[Anonymous]

Do you have to work until your end date at current job? I would be paranoid enough to keep as early a start date as possible, while liberally taking leave until my end date.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One thing to consider: it is much easier to withdraw an offer than to lay off an employee. If there is any chance that the offer might be rescinded, I would not want to delay my first day.

I’m confused. The new job is secure, I’ve signed a contract.

That means nothing. You can still rescind it. Especially if the dream candidate appears.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One thing to consider: it is much easier to withdraw an offer than to lay off an employee. If there is any chance that the offer might be rescinded, I would not want to delay my first day.

I’m confused. The new job is secure, I’ve signed a contract.

Not po, but I’ve had an offer rescinded prior to starting. The company had layoffs that hit the department and it was easier to let the person who hadn’t started go

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One thing to consider: it is much easier to withdraw an offer than to lay off an employee. If there is any chance that the offer might be rescinded, I would not want to delay my first day.

I’m confused. The new job is secure, I’ve signed a contract.

That means nothing. You can still rescind it. Especially if the dream candidate appears.

I understand what you’re saying now, but I’m confident that won’t be an issue. But it was good to point that out!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One thing to consider: it is much easier to withdraw an offer than to lay off an employee. If there is any chance that the offer might be rescinded, I would not want to delay my first day.

I’m confused. The new job is secure, I’ve signed a contract.

That means nothing. You can still rescind it. Especially if the dream candidate appears.

Signing an offer letter and signing a contract are two entirely different things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One thing to consider: it is much easier to withdraw an offer than to lay off an employee. If there is any chance that the offer might be rescinded, I would not want to delay my first day.

I’m confused. The new job is secure, I’ve signed a contract.

Not po, but I’ve had an offer rescinded prior to starting. The company had layoffs that hit the department and it was easier to let the person who hadn’t started go

I get this. But either way, I’m not staying at my current employment. If that happens, I have a backup plan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One thing to consider: it is much easier to withdraw an offer than to lay off an employee. If there is any chance that the offer might be rescinded, I would not want to delay my first day.

I’m confused. The new job is secure, I’ve signed a contract.

That means nothing. You can still rescind it. Especially if the dream candidate appears.

Signing an offer letter and signing a contract are two entirely different things.

You are correct. They would have to pay me to break the contract now.

[Anonymous]

My biggest regret was last time when I switched jobs not taking time off. I'd definitely go with a month. It's really hard to take time off and not have ANY stress or looming deadlines, with the exception of in-between jobs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My biggest regret was last time when I switched jobs not taking time off. I'd definitely go with a month. It's really hard to take time off and not have ANY stress or looming deadlines, with the exception of in-between jobs.

This. It’s a rare opportunity. Take it, op.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My biggest regret was last time when I switched jobs not taking time off. I'd definitely go with a month. It's really hard to take time off and not have ANY stress or looming deadlines, with the exception of in-between jobs.

This. It’s a rare opportunity. Take it, op.

Thanks everyone. I’m really leaning more towards doing it now. This is such a good point and sounds downright blissful.