Can I take new job abroad?

[NoticeDilema]

I have been offered a new job abroad in Europe, it has been a very long process and I didn't think it would happen. I have now been offered the position but they need me there before end of December due to Brexit Transition period ending. In my current job I have to give 4 months notice. I can give 3 months but not 4. I haven't spoken to my employer yet, I don't know how to word the request to end my notice a month earlier particularly when in this corona world it would be harder than ever to replace me/ train someone new. At the same time the job offered is my dream job and I don't want to risk losing the opportunity by dithering. How do I ask in an effective and decent way? I really need them to say yes but don't want to cause the company massive issues. I have worked for my current employer since I was 16 and they have always been fair to me. I don't want to let people down or ruffle feathers now.

Ask, if you don't ask you can't get - but do it sooner rather than later or you won't get time (actually if you handed in notice today you'd be done by the end of December - tight but technically done)

Also do you/will you have annual leave built up to take so leave earlier but are still technically employed for the last few weeks and also work for the new employer at this point

No sadly I have used my annual leave for the year already, it runs December - December but I took a lot of time off early in lockdown because DC was struggling with everything and childcare was non existent.
I don't think they will agree because it will make life difficult for them but then I will miss out on the job and my current employer will know I want to leave.

Your future is with the new job now. Three months is a lot of notice. As PPs say - put the notice in now and you'll be done by the end of December

I've been in a similar position needing to give a shortened notice. Put in the request explaining why you need to shorten the notice period, I'd also mention your x years happy service with them. They will agree because to keep a discontent employee is not a positive move, if you are happy when you leave you may even come back (I've also done this!).
Bets foot forward and best if luck. Wish I ass starting new life in the EU!

@FirstOfficerDouglas

Your future is with the new job now. Three months is a lot of notice. As PPs say - put the notice in now and you'll be done by the end of December

I agree with this.

Give notice asap and state you will be living abroad from (date).

PS I have no legal qualifications whatsoever!

4 months notice is quite unreasonable and I question whether it would be enforceable in employment law as it seems to prevent you from earning a living elsewhere. I would tend to call their bluff and just leave after 3 months. They are unlikely to sue you and it would be to their benefit to negotiate a compromise with you. Depends whether you need a reference from them or whether you already have it!

I agree that 4 months is an unreasonable amount of notice! It might be worth you getting advice from an employment lawyer? The new job sounds brilliant!

I managed to get out of my similarly long notice period to accommodate my new employer. Just ask. The likelihood is that they will say yes.

Jesus Christ just GO - get into the EU now, get your residency sorted! What an amazing opportunity! Seize it! Your four months notice is ridiculous and GB is fucked. Get out while you can.

I think Britons will wake up in Jan 2021 and realise they are like the East Germans stranded on the wrong side of the barbed wire in August 1961. The difference is people have time to get out. Sadly we can’t - trapped by non-WFH jobs and pets. If you can get out, bloody hell JUST GO.

I wish you luck. Burn your bridges if you must. Get out, secure your future. GB is stuffed and you must protect your future.

I am tempted to leave and burn my bridges if I need to, but as they are my only employer I do need them to provide a reference and I am worried that they won't if I leave before agreed. I also have a gut feeling that they aren't going to agree.

Hand in the notice now. Be unavailable for a bit at the end of you need to? Hope they let you go early? Anything! But hand it in now, as you’re technically just about able to do 4 months!

as they are my only employer I do need them to provide a reference

These days references are often not much more than confirmation you’ve done the job you said you did. And if you’ve already been offered the new job they aren’t going to let a poor reference from an employer who doesn’t want you to leave put them off.

Hand in your notice asap. Tell them when you are leaving the country and when you need your last day of work to be. It might be a bit tense, but it’ll be a lot more effort than it’s worth to them to stop you.

They may not try to enforce the 4 months notice period. Write a nice letter/email explaining that you are leaving on date dd/12/2020 to take up the opportunity of a lifetime, which is a natural progression from your current role, and so on.

You will of course cooperate fully in a managed handover to colleagues, to ensure the continued smooth running of the organisation etc.

Then, if they want to insist on the 4 months, they'll have to tell you so.

(I mistakenly thought I had to give 1 month's notice; I gave 2 months' notice, one of which was entirely annual leave. It was accepted, even though I should have given 3 months! Nobody mentioned it.)

I cannot ever fathom a scenario where I would ask for permission to leave a job especially if I have to give more than a month's notice, unless you are the PM and you have to finish negotiating a deal for your country. Good luck, op.

Thank you. I'm hoping it's going to be OK. It could be the major spanner in the works although I appreciate I won't know until after I've asked. I also hate the thought of parting on bad terms or with bad feelings. Need to woman up and do it.

I think you should negotiate it. 4 months is unreasonable unless you are a Captain if Industry . Most senior people have 3 months' notice and most people negotiate on that as well.