Boss wanting 8 weeks notice on a zero hours contract

Mermaidlori · 2024-06-18T16:36:55+00:00

I'm currently working in a job a couple of days a week on a zero hours contract with no notice period stated. I've just been verbally offered my dream job in a hospital to progress in my career and gain professional qualifications. I'm waiting on the offer in writing to come through this week. I stupidly gave my boss the heads up that I would be leaving as the nature of my job means I have clients booked in a few weeks in advance. I wanted to let my boss know with plenty of time in advance so she could cover my shifts. I explained I would give 4 weeks notice as soon as my offer comes this week. My boss has now demanded that I work 8 weeks notice and that I'm letting the team and clients down if I don't. My boss has been rude and snappy to me every time I've seen her. On a side note my boss give me a days notice if a venue I'm working at won't be running and I lose the pay. AIBU giving 4 weeks notice?

HollyKnight · 19/06/2024 16:17

Mermaidlori · 19/06/2024 14:30

I heard from the NHS recruitment department and have just booked iny ID check with them.
I contacted my manager to agree to the 8 weeks notice to keep her happy. Nearer the time once I have a start date then I will just say I'm leaving in 1 weeks time as this is a casual zero hours contract

You're still underestimating how long HR takes. It's not just about the ID checks. You should not give notice until your new employer is ready to discuss a start date.

Swissrollover · 19/06/2024 16:04

Mermaidlori · 19/06/2024 14:30

I heard from the NHS recruitment department and have just booked iny ID check with them.
I contacted my manager to agree to the 8 weeks notice to keep her happy. Nearer the time once I have a start date then I will just say I'm leaving in 1 weeks time as this is a casual zero hours contract

Perfect! Hope all goes well.

Original poster

Mermaidlori · 19/06/2024 14:30

I heard from the NHS recruitment department and have just booked iny ID check with them.
I contacted my manager to agree to the 8 weeks notice to keep her happy. Nearer the time once I have a start date then I will just say I'm leaving in 1 weeks time as this is a casual zero hours contract

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Cookiedough123 · 19/06/2024 11:52

My mums partner had a DBS a few months ago and it took at least 8-12 weeks to come back! That was to work for a school!

Nonewclothes2024 · 19/06/2024 09:52

Mermaidlori · 18/06/2024 17:40

My contract doesn't state any notice period. I'm happy to give 4 weeks notice or a month's notice but not 8 weeks.

NHS recruitment is notoriously slow. Took me 4 months to get into my job.
You might be ok with 8 weeks.

Newgirls · 19/06/2024 08:36

Do not panic. She needs you far more than you need her. Sounds like you could get a similar role elsewhere if you need to

With regards to a reference can any of the colleagues who left provide one of you need it?

Youve been more than kind and open. A good boss would have said ‘well done and if you want to ever work for us to top up your work pls do stay in touch’. She’s an idiot.

Fraaahnces · 19/06/2024 00:44

Honestly, join a union today. That way if your boss is a dick, you have an email trail showing harrassment, and if they give you a bad reference you can also refer to this. None of what they are saying is legal.

AmelieTaylor · 19/06/2024 00:19

I'd tell her you've decided not to to take the other job. Then when you start your new job you jus say you're not available wen they ask you to work. Zero hours, you don't have to work again.

Godnotthisagain · 19/06/2024 00:15

Boss: ' I want you to give 8 weeks notice for your zero hours job'.

Me: Hahahahahahahahahaha No. Hahahahahahahahaha are you fucking high you cheeky c**t. Actually today is my last day. Bye.

You may wish to temper the language, but you get the idea.

Sparsely · 19/06/2024 00:05

So you could give her 8 weeks' notice and she wouldn't have to give you any work for those 8 weeks. Absolutely no way.

Start the new job as soon as possible. Next week if possible. Why would you put up with sulking and ridiculous behavaiour any longer than you have to? You owe her nothing. Just do what you want to do and what is in your best interests. Don't be nice. Be selfish (although you sound like the sort of person who might find that difficult).

Employing people on a zero hours contract is a shitty thing to do as it puts all the risk on the employee and all the gain for the employer. Now she's finding the downside for her, maybe she'll think twice before doing it again.

PardonMee · 18/06/2024 23:53

What a plonker, you can just leave immediately if you want, that’s what zero hours contract is.

Original poster

Mermaidlori · 18/06/2024 23:43

Clients can book around 8-9 weeks in advance. I'm booked in for work for the rest of the year but if another member of staff is on holiday or off sick and it's just me working, then the day before I get told sorry clients have been cancelled and no work today as they can't afford the venue costs with just me there. It happens fairly often.

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Original poster

Mermaidlori · 18/06/2024 23:39

Mummy2024 · 18/06/2024 23:05

I actually agree, as it could take a while to start, agree to stay as long as it takes to get your start date. That's your best bet. Presumably your in beauty so you could even say you will fit any remaining clients around work but do not want any new ones booking in after your start date

Keep her onside for this reference you really need them.

Edited

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Yes I really need this reference for my new job. I don't work in beauty. I work in foot care and I cut toe nails and give foot care advise to the elderly who can no take care of their feet

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Original poster

Mermaidlori · 18/06/2024 23:35

pangolina · 18/06/2024 21:25

Does your contract state anything about mutuality of obligation? How far in advance are rotas done?
If no notice period is defined you only need to give statutory notice of one week.

The contract states nothing about this. I have just read through the contract again and I'm called a casual worker. It states in the contract that they can give me no notice if there is no work available and if I want to terminate the contract then I need to let them know as soon as possible. It doesn't state notice period. Is zero hours the same as casual worker?

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allthemiddlechildrenoftheworld · 18/06/2024 23:23

@Mermaidlori nah you can give them 5 minutes notice!! what are they going to do????

NewName24 · 18/06/2024 23:10

YABU to give 4 weeks notice when they treat you like that.
Your boss clearly doesn't grasp how zero hours contracts work, and is one of those people the Labour policy is thinking of when it suggests using a whacking great hammer to crack a nut.

If an employer has been good to you, then giving as much notice as you can, is kind, helpful, and a nice thing to do.
If they haven't, then it is reasonable to treat them the same way they treat you.

Mummy2024 · 18/06/2024 23:05

Mermaidlori · 18/06/2024 22:51

That's such a long time. I hope it isn't that long for me. But I will expect the worst and be prepared it could take this long

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I actually agree, as it could take a while to start, agree to stay as long as it takes to get your start date. That's your best bet. Presumably your in beauty so you could even say you will fit any remaining clients around work but do not want any new ones booking in after your start date

Keep her onside for this reference you really need them.

StripeyDeckchair · 18/06/2024 23:04

You're on a zero hours contract - the company is under no obligation to give you any work and you are not obliged to take any work the company offers.

If you're feeling generous give 1 weeks notice but 8 weeks is plainly preposterous and I would laugh at any manager who suggested it.

Mummy2024 · 18/06/2024 23:01

Mermaidlori · 18/06/2024 17:40

My contract doesn't state any notice period. I'm happy to give 4 weeks notice or a month's notice but not 8 weeks.

Tell her legally you don't need to give any but will give 4 weeks.
This is going to get awkward if you need a reference though sadly.

WittyFatball · 18/06/2024 22:58

Mermaidlori · 18/06/2024 18:07

This is what I'm worried about as well. I'm worried that my boss will turn around and give me no hours after giving my notice period as they are in mood about it all.
I work in foot health but I'm not insured to work privately and only in my work environment. My new job will be training to become a Podiatrist

Tell your boss that you're not leaving.
Keep getting the hours you need.
Once you get your start date, give them 1 week notice and get out of there.

PurpleBugz · 18/06/2024 22:57

4 weeks is generous of you. 8 is ridiculous. 0 hour contracts are used to treat employees so badly as you have experienced with work getting cancelled and you receive no pay. If they cared they should have given you a proper contract with minimum hours and a clear notice period. I bet if you gave 8 weeks and they found someone to replace you sooner you would be given days notice and be left with no income while you wait to start the new job. You owe them fuck all.

Original poster

Mermaidlori · 18/06/2024 22:51

bookwormbeagle · 18/06/2024 22:29

My wait time for db's check/ hr checks etc was over 6 months, due to the appallingly inefficient jobtrak - fingers crossed your trust is not the same

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That's such a long time. I hope it isn't that long for me. But I will expect the worst and be prepared it could take this long

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Original poster

Mermaidlori · 18/06/2024 22:50

I really regret telling her before having the contract in my hands. The only reason I said early was because I was told that references would be requested after successful interview and also because I was worried about clients I have booked in that have been waiting a long time to see me. I was thinking it would give my manager time to sort that out.
I'm starting to think maybe it might be a slow process to start with the NHS. I'm hoping I will know more by the end of the week.
I've just made things so awkward for myself at work and now risk the chance that she will just tell me there isn't any work if I don't agree to her ridiculous demands.

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bookwormbeagle · 18/06/2024 22:29

Mermaidlori · 18/06/2024 17:46

My boss has emailed me today on my day off demanding I give her answers immediately. I was thinking the hospital might take time to do all their checks but have said they would love for me to start as soon as my DBS check comes back and they have done a occupational health check and employment checks. I'm hoping this is not too long a wait.

My wait time for db's check/ hr checks etc was over 6 months, due to the appallingly inefficient jobtrak - fingers crossed your trust is not the same

RawBloomers · 18/06/2024 22:03

pangolina · 18/06/2024 21:25

Does your contract state anything about mutuality of obligation? How far in advance are rotas done?
If no notice period is defined you only need to give statutory notice of one week.

With a zero hours contract there is no statutory notice period. You can hand in notice whenever you wish and stop work immediately.