Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not want to complete my work notice

45 replies

Tohaveandtohold · 21/05/2016 00:01

I've been working with mu company for less than a year in a really basic entry role (replacements are lined up) but my contract requires me to give a 4 week notice. I'm not happy in my current job role and every job I apply for just does not continue with my application once they know about my notice period. This has been going on for months. I currently got one but it means I can only give 2 weeks notice at work. I'm currently dreading this as I would like to leave on a good note but then after giving my notice and I lose this role, I'll lose on both ends. What are the consequences of not working your notice period. Aibu even considering this?

OP posts:
Vixxfacee · 21/05/2016 00:02

Do you have any holiday left?

ilovesooty · 21/05/2016 00:03

Surely you knew what the notice period was when you began the job?
Could you discuss and negotiate a shorter notice period?

fatmomma99 · 21/05/2016 00:05

A responsible response would say talk to them and see if they'll release you earlier. You might lose some money?

An irresponsible response would be fuck 'em. You've been there less than a year, resign and chuck a sickie.

One of those may be more morally the correct thing to do.

You could combine both, if required.

Do you need a reference?

Do you have any un-taken holiday leave?

(things that could work for or against you)

Original poster
Tohaveandtohold · 21/05/2016 00:09

I have holidays left, I've only had 3 days off since January but they have a policy that you need to book an holiday 4 weeks in advance, this is all so sudden so its like too late to book.

OP posts:
Florene · 21/05/2016 00:17

Just hand your notice in and tell them you will take your outstanding holidays as the end part of it. They may not be thrilled but you are perfectly within your rights to do so as the 4 week holiday notice rule cannot be applied in these circumstances.

They may tell you that they will pay the holidays instead - just tell them that unfortunately this doesn't work for you.

PrimalLass · 21/05/2016 00:35

There's bugger all they'll do about it, but you might need them for a reference. Don't lose your new job over it.

hownottofuckup · 21/05/2016 00:48

I thought 4 weeks was pretty standard? (Mine was/is 8)
Any/all new jobs have asked what notice I would need to give. Tbh I think expecting less then 4 weeks from offer to start date is unreasonable.

BillSykesDog · 21/05/2016 03:34

In my experience in this sort of situation with entry level roles where replacements are no issue they're normally pretty flexible. Explain the situation and tell them that you will need to leave on x date. They can't physically make you turn up, and it doesn't sound like it will be a huge issue for them. They would be pretty twatty not to release you.

TiredOfSleep · 21/05/2016 06:16

Why can't you give notice, work 2 weeks then the other 2 weeks are holiday when you've started with the other place.

TiredOfSleep · 21/05/2016 06:18

The only thing they can pursue you for is true costs they incur, so agency costs for recruiting or temp staff (the amount they cost more than you), training etc.

And burnt bridges of course. What's the requirement for a reference?

araiba · 21/05/2016 06:37

99% of jobs have notice periods, therefore any decent business will be aware that new recruits have to give notice at their current job.

otherwise you could only ever recruit the unemployed

Creampastry · 21/05/2016 06:42

4 weeks notice is standard isn't it???

Junosmum · 21/05/2016 06:52

4 weeks is pretty standard notice period. I can't imagine working for a company who don't understand that and aren't willing to wait. My notice period is 2 months, DHs is 3 months.

I'd write my resignation letter as:

Today's date.

Dear x

Please take this letter as my official resignation, my final day at the company will be (date in 4 weeks time). I have x number holidays remaining on and therefore my last working day will be date which is 4 weeks minister holiday).

Thank you for the opportunity afforded to me at x company. I wish you all the best for the future.

Yours sincerely. Tohaveandtohold

If they say anything about the holiday, just say younred to take it and leave it at that. Officially they can sue you for earnings whilst employed at both companies (so 2 weeks holiday pay) plus cost of getting a temporary / urgent replacement. With a low level job, realistically they aren't going to do that. They can no longer gi e bad references, only factual ones (in writing anyway!).

Junosmum · 21/05/2016 06:53

Sorry for the typos, trying to type and feed the 4 month old!

Autumnchill · 21/05/2016 07:08

Just a thought but at our company we are not allowed to book holidays during a notice period.

If you get offered a job, speak to your HR, we let people at that level go quite quickly and don't always hold them to 4 weeks.

GrumpyOldBag · 21/05/2016 07:12

Everything is negotiable. Discuss it with HR or your boss. They may prefer to let you go early (but don't expect to be paid for that time) if you are not being a productive member of the team.

But you need to be positive and constructive in the tone you take with them.

JapanNextYear · 21/05/2016 07:13

I'd just talk to them, they'd be unlikely to enforce it and if they do then try and come to some arrangement. Once you've got a reference from them, which is likely to be just a 'I can confirm she worked here' standard one there's nothing they can do in practice to enforce a notice period. Unless they are particularly stubborn they should let you go.

Really, just talk to them. We had someone on a months notice left with 2 weeks recently, he had reasons and there was no point making him sit there.

Original poster
Tohaveandtohold · 21/05/2016 07:26

I didn't know 4 weeks notice was standard. All the previous jobs I've had 1 week for each year of working with them, that's why I thought this was longer.
I should add that I was the one that told the new place that my notice was negotiable (not well thought now, I know) because the job training is in 2 weeks and its in London so they don't have it often.
I definitely need a reference from them
I think I'll be going the holiday route.

OP posts:
peggyundercrackers · 21/05/2016 07:49

4 weeks notice period is absolutely standard, if you aren't getting any of the jobs you are applying for its very unlikely it is because of the notice period where you are.

fastdaytears · 21/05/2016 07:52

4 weeks notice is the very minimum you can really be on. I'm amazed that your new employer can have any issue with waiting 4 weeks for you to start.

witsender · 21/05/2016 07:54

Me too...4 weeks is the standard.

topcat2014 · 21/05/2016 07:57

I would worry that an employer that encouraged doing the dirty on your existing employer by not working notice would not actually treat their existing workforce very well either.

The one week per year thing is the amount of notice you are entitled to be given.

One month notice is fairly standard, after probationary period.

I have worked where I had three months notice, and that is particularly hard to get out of, and affects new posts.

Ememem84 · 21/05/2016 08:27

12 weeks is standard in my job. As a minimum.

My notice period is 12 weeks with a contractual clause that I can't have anything to do with existing clients for 6 months after I leave. (If I was to move offices and clients were to follow...)

londonrach · 21/05/2016 08:51

Depnding on your work id talk to them. I had a similar situation that involved me having to give 4 weeks and new situation happened in 2 weeks or not at all. I spoke to my manager who let me go. He was a nice man and thought the next situation was a big step up for me. Always grateful to him. I didnt go to the person in charge of me as she would have said no but he was he manager so had overall decision.

MrsJoeyMaynard · 21/05/2016 09:32

4 weeks notice certainly isn't unusual.

Could you talk to your manager and explain the situation? They may be willing to be flexible and let you leave early.

Letting you take holiday during the notice period isn't always guaranteed either. They can refuse and add extra money for holiday not taken to your final payslip if they feel that they need you there for the full notice period.