LWD Dilemma - Need Your Thoughts

Hey everyone,

I need to finalize my Last Working Day (LWD) by EOD today and I have been given two options, but I’m stuck between them.

Option 1: Flexible LWD I can set my LWD either today, or sometime in the last week of December, or even any day up to the notice period (January 13th). This gives me flexibility to join any company based on when they offer me a position. The risk is if I join later than my LWD, I’m not sure if it’ll be seen as a gap.

Option 2: Garden Leave I’d be inactive in the system, and my LWD would officially be as per the notice (January 13th). The catch is I can’t join any company before January 13th.

Key Points for Both:

• Financials are covered, I get full notice pay.
• Once I choose, I can’t change the date.
• The job hunt stays active regardless of the choice.

Context: I’ve got a couple of companies in the pipeline, but not sure how they’ll turn out, whether they’ll offer more money, or if they’ll even work out. Not interested in staying at my current company— low pay and position. I want stability, ideally for the next 3-4 years. Coz the instability in my profile (4 companies in 4 years) is getting me rejected by product companies. It seems like services companies might be easier to survive in for now. I also don’t want to work for less money—it doesn’t make sense. I’m aware work-life balance and growth might come with some luck.

Would love to hear thoughts and any advice on which option to go with. Thanks!