Notice Period - can I change it

[JeansandJumpers]

I am on a temp contract that requires one week notice. The contract ends in three weeks. I hate my job but as a matter of goodwill would be prepared to work to the end of the contract, and intend to put that in my notice e-mail (I presume e-mails are appropriate these days?). If my boss gets huffy (likely), would I then be able to supercede this by reverting to one week?

[JeansandJumpers]

wait -that didn't make sense. What I mean is that they have now offered me another years contract, and I don't want to accept, plus I've been offered another job, to start asap. So want to leave asap but not leave them in the lurch either

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

I think I’d just give the weeks notice and start the new job ASAP. The new job is where your loyalty will be.

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

Just an opinion - I don’t know employment law obvs.

[JeansandJumpers]

I believe that not being helpful in tying up loose ends can burn your bridges and affect future references - so I'm trying to be as professional as possible, despite everything. Maybe I should talk to them verbally first and get a feeling for what they would prefer...

[DunesOfSand]

Rather than hand in your notice, could you decline the new contract, leaving this contract to run as agreed, and let it terminate naturally in 3 weeks time?

[WomblesAreCommon]

If they wanted you to spend more than a week tying up loose ends they’d have put a longer notice period to start with.

[JeansandJumpers]

WomblesAreCommon - interesting viewpoint, but I think they are bound by the standard practice of the organisation, and that a week would really be a struggle for them. Well, I think I'll talk informally first as see what would work for them best.

[flowery]

Decline the offer of a new contract and say you’ll leave at the end of your current contract. If you subsequently change your mind, write to them giving one week’s notice in line with your contract.

[Satsumaeater]

a week would really be a struggle for them

Well that's their organisation's fault is it not? They can't have it both ways.

However, if you feel better tying up the loose ends etc then let this contract end naturally and then go to the new job, especially as it is only 3 weeks.

But otherwise you have no obligation other than to give the notice period in your contract.

[daisychain01]

In the grand scheme of life, 3 weeks is hardly an eternity. I'd just suck it up, work to end of current contract, let your new employer you want to ensure you complete your current assignment, and that you'll be able to start with them on Mon xxx etc.

Decline the offer of the contract extension, but ask them for a reference based on work completed in your current contract.

[Alfie19]

My DH is on a fixed term contract until the end of the year. He has been looking for his next role and always indicated that he would do until the end of the year, even though there is a one month notice period. Well guess what, they recently gave him one months notice.

An employer would not hesitate to use the agree notice period clause so no reason you cannot and no need to feel bad about it. If they need longer, then they should have written their contract accordingly.