Given notice at work

This is correct.

I didn't know this myself until about 10 years ago. Very hard to prove financial loss, and not generally pursued for your level of employee (no offence - just more likely to be board member type roles).

If she wants to she can make things very difficult while seeing out notice. She can request annual leave, get signed off sick etc and in periods between be 'too busy catching up to train'. They're not going to change their mind, they want someone cheaper.

It would be best to negotiate. Sure say now that you need a few days to process the redundancy, then come back and negotiate a shorter notice period etc. They could say no of course but if you can leave on better terms its better. They should negotiate, its never good to have someone that doesn't want to be there.

Does the 3 months notice take you over the 2 years worked for them?

There's a fb group UK Employment Law & HR advice. I suggest joining and asking on there for advice from people more qualified to give it.

Good luck.

Technically it would be breach of contract not to complete the notice period but few companies would ever seek reparations for it so you could.

It may impact any reference you require from them though.

I would be inclined to approach them and let them know you would like to leave sooner as you would prefer to make a clean break and move on now you know you are not a valued team member, something like that.

Were you on a temporary contract or short term fixed contract or was it meant to be permanent?

Ask them.

Worst they can do is say no

If you have any annual leave I would tell them that you are quite upset so would like to use some of your annual leave now, as you'll need to burn it before you go anyway. I'd say you're going to take 2 weeks from Monday and then not do anything for a fortnight and see if and how they cope without you. It sounds like you dont normally do a handover before you go on holiday any way. I just then wouldnt do the extra bits you normally do when youre away - logging on and playing catch up when you get back. Use the leave as a tool to show them what you do and see if you can get them to revoke the decision?

Yes, I've let someone go before and I didn't much want them to stay out their notice period, and they didn't want to stay it out either. So we agreed they'd go within 2 weeks, not 2 months.

There is discretion.

If the employer is not flexible I guess you could seek advice from HR, but I'm guessing if you just left then the worse that can happen is they won't pay you for the part of the month you've worked already. It might depend for you on reputational damage. In my youth I just walked out of a role in a cafe. But in my job now I couldn't do that because it's a small field and I might not get hired elsewhere. If you aren't worried about reputational damage, I'd just leave! They are the ones asking you to go.

If its written in your contract 3 months each way, then it comes down to negotiation.

You took this job on the understanding it was a permanent contract, not a fixed term, so they've made a business decision to your personal detriment.

Have a careful think about what you want, have you got leave accrued, do you want no questions asked for if you need to leave for job interviews, do you want to work from home? If the handover is delivered to standard, would they consider garden leave?

Three months is a long time to work out a job that doesn't want you anymore.

Everyone wants to part ways on a hand shake, show them how they can do that (they have plenty of ground to make up imo).

Sorry x post.
So you would be breaching the contract.
However, in reality there is little they could do. Theoretically they could sue you but they would have to prove financial loss. As they are getting rid of you, they would struggle with that.
On terms of reference, they could say you did not work notice, but you can prempt that by telling prospective employers that you did not do the full 3 months due to needing to focus on finding other employment.
The only factor I would consider I'd that you might find it easier to find a job from a job. If you find another role I would just tell your current employer the date you are leaving.

cross post - apologies

this! very important

The only loyalty you get from a company is their need of you.
What does the contract say?

Check your own notice period and give them notice if it is shorter. How much notice were they obliged to give you?
Anyway you could very politely say you appreciate the length of time that have given you, but in the circumstances you'll be leaving on x date, unless they want to consider garden leave? It sounds like you are in a position where a disgruntled employee could do a lot of damage, so although I'm not suggesting you should threaten this, you could say that it's normal procedure at your level.
Work out what suits you- eg getting paid to do not very much, or leaving sooner than they want.

What is YOUR notice period? If its a week or a month I'd just hand that in. Do bare minimum for your notice then leave. Quitting on the spot could make it difficult for you in long run, especially if you need a reference from them as they can put facts in the reference.

what does your contract state, as I would guess they can hold you to that. I think you will need to discuss it with them- they may or may not simply agree that you don’t need to work your notice, but you won’t know until you ask. I’m not sure you can force them to let you leave without working your notice but perhaps speak with ACAS or even citizens advice.

Whatever you do, I would think through potential repercussions carefully- you might need a reference from them, for instance. I’m careful about completely burning bridges, professionally at least- even if I feel that I’ve got some reason to be I’m annoyed- as you never know when or how you might come across them again. You also don’t want to damage your reputation by doing something like breach of contract etc, Depending on your field, it can be a small world and some employers have more influence than others. It may not matter or have any concerns for you, but I’ve seen a few people come unstuck when things haven’t been handled well (by one or both parties) and it can be as simple as a word in the right persons ear to cause an issue.

I'd hang on in there and use the time to look for another position. However, I'd be putting in minimal effort whilst making all the right noises.

If a great job offer came up in the next few weeks and they were keen for you to start quickly, then I'd be off. In reality they're unlikely to spend the money it would cost on solicitors to enforce your contract. Also, doesn't the 2 year thing work both ways?

If training them isn’t in your job description then just don’t do it. Work to rule. Do only your job description and do not train or write handbooks if it isn’t part of your job.

OP what is YOUR actual notice period?

Personally I'd stay and do the very bare minimum. Do a shit handover, tell them you've documented it all but only do the basics.

And a shit handover doesn’t even mean doing a bad job on the documents etc.

I've just left a job that included managing a system that I have ten years' experience of. They wanted me to handover to a colleague with ZERO experience, and get her as good as me.

I wrote a handbook that was pitched at someone with my knowledge and experience. They did not hire me to train a novice as a SysAdmin.

Can you resign instead? That way you've only got to work another month? And maybe take as much holiday as you can in the meantime?

Legally you’d be in breach of contract if you didn’t work your notice - but how likely is it that they will sue you? The biggest issue for me would be whether I needed a reference