I currently have a job I really don’t like (long commute, low pay, expensive yet not great benefits, tons of responsibility) but I just received an offer for a job that should be way better (walking commute, slightly higher take home pay, way cheaper and good benefits, back to being an individual contributor so way less pressure).

In order to be paid out for my accrued but unused PTO at my current job, the employee handbook says I must give 4 weeks notice and that I will only get 50% of the PTO since I’ve been there less than 2 years. The next potential start date at the new job is right after Memorial Day so I would need to give notice this week in order to be eligible for the PTO payout (equivalent to 1 week pay).

However, the new job offer is technically contingent until my reference checks, background checks, medical check, and drug screening are complete. This should be done some time next week I was told, and I have zero concerns about running into any issues with any of those.

So do I give notice this week to be eligible for the PTO payout, but technically risk something happening with the new job checks? Or would you feel comfortable giving notice now? I asked the recruiter on the phone today and she said it’s totally up to me and that some people give notice now while others prefer to wait, and reiterated that it is contingent until checks are done.

I could really use that additional weeks pay to help feel stable starting the new role, and I don’t like the idea of just losing two weeks of vacation for nothing (to confirm, I am not allowed to take any PTO after giving my notice).