the wort thing that your present employer can do to you is to delay your departure... the problem is, do you think your next employer is willing to wait until your present employer releases you? what if the requirement is very urgent? in the end you will be losing both jobs.. your present and the other one... it would have been better if you request for emergency leave without telling your boss the real reason why you are leaving.. white lie works in this situation...but i guess it's too late for you to do that... nevertheless you are entitled to submit your resignation one month in advance.. just hope and pray that your employer grants your request on time... remember we are not slaves here.. so we have the right to leave anytime we want to as long as we tender our resignation at least 1 month in advance as per normal practice.. good luck!