Notice period

[anxietycentralallthetime]

I've been working in a job for a few months now. Not massively enjoyed it because of lots of issues but that's not really the point. I've been offered another job in the past couple of days. They want me to start in around 10 days time. The job where I am now is a family run company (petrol stations, corner shops etc) I didn't sign a contract when I started.
I need to hand in my notice, but without a contract how much notice do I need to give?
I don't want to let my current job down and feel really bad giving 10 days notice, but without a contract can they insist on a notice period? New job is desperate for me to start in 10 days to join a training programme with all of the other new employees.
Thanks.

[SteampunkPrincess]

you dont have a contract, 10 days notice should be fine

Just do it as soon as possible

[anxietycentralallthetime]

Ok will do it asap. Feeling guilty that they've only got 10 days tho to find someone and train them up. Hoping they can't give a bad reference because I've dropped them in it. They've never had any issues with my work. Also feel bad that the other employees will have to cover my shifts until they find someone new. Am I just over thinking it?

[Doreah]

As you have no contract, you will only need to give the statutory notice period.

From ACAS:

Statutory or contractual notice period

Statutory or contractual notice period

There are two types of notice period: statutory and contractual. Statutory notice is the minimum legal notice that can be given. Employers should give the employee:

one week's notice if the employee has been employed by the employer continuously for one month or more, but for less than two years
two weeks' notice if the employee has been employed by the employer continuously for two years, and one additional week's notice for each further complete year of continuous employment, up to a maximum of 12 weeks. For example if an employee has worked for 5 years then they are entitled to 5 weeks' notice.

Employees must give their employer a minimum of one week's notice once they have worked for one month. This minimum is unaffected by longer service.

However, contractual notice is the amount of notice that the employer can set out in the terms and conditions of employment which can be longer than the statutory notice. For example the statutory notice an employee must give to an employer is one week, however, an employer can state within the terms of employment that an employee must give one month's notice.

[flowery]

If it's important to them to ensure departing employees give (say) a month's notice, they should issue a contract of employment including that notice period. They've chosen not to do that, so a week's notice is fine.

It's not a question of overthinking. It is what it is. You start your new job in 10 days, and that's that.

[anxietycentralallthetime]

I think I worry about things too much! My husband always says that they wouldn't worry about getting rid of me if it suited them, which is probably true! Fab I'll do 10 days notice then.

[HashtagTired]

Yep. 10 days is plenty. Without a contract, it’s one week for every continuous year or service to a max of 12.

[anxietycentralallthetime]

Thanks all!