Boss wanting 8 weeks notice on a zero hours contract

[Mermaidlori]

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?

I’d just leave, but what does your contract say?

Legally, you don't have to given ANY notice when on a zero hours contract!!!!

My understanding is that if your contract doesn't specify a notice period then the statutory notice period applies.

I think you're being generous giving 4 weeks when there's no stated notice period.

Your boss is being insane.
You could give 8 weeks notice and then not be available for any shifts for the final 4 weeks, after all a zero hours contract works both ways.

But really give whatever is in your contract.

Sorry if that is your bosses attitude I would just leave when you get the new job. You owe them nothing.

Citizens advice suggest a weeks notice

It doesn't matter who is being unreasonable it matters what your contract says. Does it state a notice period? your boss sounds like a dick though so thank goodness you'll be leaving soon.

Have you factored in pre employment checks, a lot of roles in hospitals require dbs checks etc and that could take time so you may be at the 8 week mark anyway.

Ah - just realised no notice period stated. That’s easy then! In fact I’d try to start the new job earlier if possible.

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

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.

I would vote YABU, as you don't need to give any notice. If they'd wanted a notice period from you, they would have given you a contract requiring them to do the same, as that is fair. I didn't vote though, as you are being more than reasonable.

Good luck with the new job!

Edit typo

Employees on zero-hours contracts have no rights to notice periods. This means that if you want to terminate your job contract, you can leave without giving any prior warning. However, this also means that you can be dismissed by your employer without notice. You also have no protection relating to unfair dismissal.

4 weeks sounds generous.

acas has this to say about contracts with no notice period: https://www.acas.org.uk/notice-periods/notice-when-resigning#:~:text=This%20might%20also%20be%20in,minimum%20of%201%20weeks'%20notice.

If you’ve been there over a month it’s a minimum of one weeks notice.

If your current boss is awful please don’t agree to more when you aren’t required to. If you were needed to support clients you’d have been employed on a salaried contract, properly.

Congratulations on the new role!

A zero hours contract means you are contracted for zero hours a week/month, the employer does not have to give you any hours and in return, you do not have to work any offered. 8 weeks of zero hours is still zero hours.

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

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?

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!

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’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.

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.

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.

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.)

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.

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.