Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Boss wanting 8 weeks notice on a zero hours contract

90 replies

Mermaidlori · 18/06/2024 17:36

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?

OP posts:
DexaVooveQhodu · 18/06/2024 20:21

Yanbu - a zero hours contract means that you commit to keep zero hours available for them and they commit to giving you zero hours of work. Any any work offered or accepted over and above zero is by mutual agreement. This is why they can cancel your work and not pay you whenever they see fit. If your contract doesn't specify a minimum number of hours you must commit to keeping available and doesn't specify a notice period then you owe no notice at all.

HollyKnight · 18/06/2024 20:16

Do not give notice until you discuss a start date with your new employer. Is the new job within the NHS? If so, they can take a long time to do checks. I was once offered a job in May but didn't get a start date until mid-September.

Thoughtful2355 · 18/06/2024 20:16

Sorry but if they wanted notice gen they need to not give 0 hour contracts out.

OhshutupSandra · 18/06/2024 20:13

It took my NHS Trust 3 months to go through all of the HR process and that was supposed to be fast tracked due to the urgency of them needing staff asap. They are notoriously slow.

Knickerknack · 18/06/2024 20:12

Never ever tell your old employer until you have signed with your new one. That horse has bolted, so focus on protecting your position. Your employer can't force you to work eight weeks, so let her schedule away and you give a week's notice once the paperwork comes in and you have your start date.

Mostlycarbon · 18/06/2024 20:07

Tell him you're leaving in eight weeks then, and just quit early if your DBS comes early. There's nothing he can do about it and he's being a dick.

Mostlycarbon · 18/06/2024 20:06

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.

I'm sorry to say DBS checks are taking quite a long time in some parts of the country at the moment. About six weeks if you have moved around and lived in London.

Original poster
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

OP posts:
caringcarer · 18/06/2024 18:04

SauvignonBlonk · 18/06/2024 17:40

Zero hours contracts work both ways in my book! What does it say in your contract though? Does it state a notice period?

Legally you don't have to give any notice. One week would be considered good of you. Your boss is being stupid.

Singleandproud · 18/06/2024 18:02

The thing is you could say you'll work a months notice, tell your new employer you'll be working a month's notice for your boss to turn around and give you no hours out of spite. Don't feel like you owe them anything, if you (and your colleagues) were valued they would treat you right.

Is it the sort of job you could do some hours at the weekend for extra £££ whilst you have the overlap that comes with starting a new role if your new role on Mon-Fri

Dappy55 · 18/06/2024 18:02

Dbs pretty quick these days, all electronic!

wastingtimeonhere · 18/06/2024 17:58

I had this, no contract, then they were demanding notice, they got a week. Complaining at me, I pointed it out, and he shut up.

Original poster
Mermaidlori · 18/06/2024 17:57

Thank you all for the congratulations. I think best bet is to ignore my boss for now and to wait for a definite offer in writing and checks to be completed and then decide what to do about notice. I took this zero hours job as it was good experience in an area I want to work in and it has helped me to get the job at the hospital.

OP posts:
Ohfuckrucksack · 18/06/2024 17:56

If it's NHS wait for a start date.

They can take months to get a start date sorted, even after identity checks/Occy health/DBS is sorted.

So be a bit careful

Nephthys21 · 18/06/2024 17:54

The NHS can be pretty slow to sort all their employment checks, so I wouldn't rely on the new job being sorted quickly!

MigGirl · 18/06/2024 17:52

This is the risk of taking on employees with 0 hours contracts. They can't dictate how much notice you give them. Tell you new employer you can start as soon as your DBS clears.

If you still want to give your old employer 4 weeks then I'd say you are being very generous. If you can aford a few weeks off then take a break and just give them a couple of weeks notice.

We had someone start at our place before their DBS came through, they just had to be accompanied around the site at all times.

Original poster
Mermaidlori · 18/06/2024 17:51

I have had 3 colleagues leave in the past couple of months due to zero hours.and little respect. We also recently received a pay rise and it took us to just 6 pence above minimum wage.

OP posts:
DancingFerret · 18/06/2024 17:51

Your boss sounds horrible; I hope you didn't respond. If you can do without the money for now, simply email tomorrow and tell her you won't be returning. (All objective, of course, without knowing your circumstances.)

Abbyant · 18/06/2024 17:50

4 weeks is generous I’d have given a weeks notice as it’s zero hours with no stated notice period. Do the four and thank you gods that you’re leaving and know the true face of the manager.

Elieza · 18/06/2024 17:50

Wait until you have the offer in writing and all pre employment checks etc carried out and a start date ... and then give a weeks notice or longer if it fits in with your new job start date which is get asap.

With regard to you letting people down, it's the employer whose let them down by employing staff in zero hours contracts which also affects everyone negatively. I'd be reminding the boss of that fact.

cheddercherry · 18/06/2024 17:48

I’d be inclined to say I won’t be returning, especially for a job I’d lost pay on days! They pay the price of no notice and no loyalty when they give 0 hours contracts.

Original poster
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.

OP posts:
Cuwins · 18/06/2024 17:46

Fine 8 weeks notice but I'm not available to work any hours in those 8 weeks!
0 hours contract means you don't have to work any hours!

HashtagShitShop · 18/06/2024 17:43

Given what they've said to you l, how they give you 1 days notice that you'll receive 0 pay for that day and that you're 0 hours with no notice period needed I'd do exactly that. No notice.

Tell the new place you can start as soon as it clears that it's definitely your position with a couple of days or so break for you to clear your head and have time for you before starting a new job. The ball is in your court.

Why put yourself out for someone who wouldn't thank you either way?

Wordsmithery · 18/06/2024 17:43

Your boss is having a laugh. Zero hours, no notice. It works both ways.