Notice Period Advice

Pneumonic · 12 Aug 2008 at 14:16

Ok I have been offered a new role and I am going to take it... however before I go and talk to my manager I have a bit of a query over notice period...

I work for a multi-national and as such HR is appauling... I have therefore never been issued with an update to my probabtionary contract... I have been with the company two years and have been told my notice period is 8 weeks... however well I would like to be out quicker than that... am i right in thinking as I have never had a "proper" contract issued that I can claim I am still on propation and therefore am intitled to give one weeks notice only (I will give more but not 8 weeks!) Just want to make sure my argument stands up

dalepearson · 12 Aug 2008 at 14:20

Notice period will be different depending on your level within an organisation, however it should be in your contract.
If you have any doubts a general rule of thumb is that if you get paid monthly you need to give 4 weeks notice.

However if its not in your contract you have signed you dont really have to give any, but it would not be professional to do so.

vanandjuanunited · 12 Aug 2008 at 14:21

4 weeks is whats required assuming you are monthly paid - you could always get sacked!!

yermum · 12 Aug 2008 at 15:11

You would be entitled to take any holiday in the notice period, or if you are in a 'sensitive' position, you may be allowed to leave sooner rather than later.

The bets thing is to offer 4 weeks notice but ask if it would be possible to get out earlier. Some companies prefer people who have given notice to not attend (gardening leave) but you may not be able to start your new job then.

HeX · 12 Aug 2008 at 15:12

Best bet is just negotiate with your manager, people understand that people get new jobs all the time.

Usually as long as you are willing to do 4weeks notice they won't have a problem.

Pneumonic · 12 Aug 2008 at 15:32

yes I am happy to do four well will see how it goes

Cupra · 12 Aug 2008 at 15:38

id say its how often u get paid in most cases unles u sign otherwise

Rollo · 12 Aug 2008 at 18:41

When I was going to join the police I was told that there is no job in the uk that you legally have to give more then 4 weeks notice for. This is a few years back now though so it may have changed.

Malt_Vinegar · 12 Aug 2008 at 18:48

When i left my last company my Boss instructed me that he expected me to work a two months notice, i told him i would not. I took 4 weeks notice, and had 2.5 weeks holiday owing. So i only worked 1.5 weeks

stoofa · 13 Aug 2008 at 02:07

Rollo said:
When I was going to join the police I was told that there is no job in the uk that you legally have to give more then 4 weeks notice for. This is a few years back now though so it may have changed.

It depends entirely on your contract.
If you sign a contract that says you will give 8 weeks notice then to leave before this would put you in breech of contract.
Legally somebody cannot stop you walking out of a job without giving any notice at all.
However as you would be in breech of contract expect them to pursue it.

Many companies like to tie down key employees with long notice periods.
It works both ways as getting rid of somebody envokes the same contract.
Negotiation with a company is the best way forward - it all depends on how you value your future career really.

I always end any employment 100% friendly - you do not want a potential employee seeing that you'll happily go breech of contract so you can join another company.