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 wouldn’t give them a moment more notice than my contract says i had to. The fact that she will cancel work with very little notice or fails to offer a contract with set hours along with the accrued benefits of that shows just how little she thinks of you and your colleagues.

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.

I work in HR and you have no contract of employment or notice period contractually so he absolutely cannot make you work 8 weeks notice. I would agree in what you think is acceptable and leave at that end point whether he likes it or not.

NHS HR- minimum 8 weeks probably! That said, you can reassure them you can start immediately they are ready as your current job does not require notice as such- you are unavailable!

I'd give a week .

I voted UABU because I would give one weeks notice max based on the fact you only work 2 days a week on zero contract hours. It works both ways and that is more than enough. Of course, give 4 weeks notice, but only if its suits you.

Your boss doesn’t get to have it both ways. He can’t have 0 hours workers going week to week not knowing how much work they will be offered then expect 8 (8!!) weeks notice from them. If he wants a notice period then he needs his staff on a proper contract.

0 hours contracts should be outlawed in my opinion.

I put UABU to even entertain her bs. Check your contract but to me 4 weeks sounds very generous (I have never seen a 0 hr contract’s t&c though)

Lol. I hope that you get the offer letter soon.

One week before your desired end date, you should write a respectful but firm letter alluding to the poor job conditions (and their treating you like a zero hours employee), and stating that even though you could quit without any notice, as per your contract, you are providing them with one week's notice as a courtesy.

As others have said, check your contract and give the required notice. Not a day more. Congratulations on the new job 😊

I know you can’t go back in time but I think in future if you are planning on moving jobs you should wait until you’ve had the offer / contract in writing and you’ve had all checks done and complete.

I think if you had waited for your checks to come through and a contract sent, hand in notice give a week (which is fair on a 0 hours contract) you would of been fine.

“If you were needed to support clients you’d have been employed on a salaried contract, properly. “

This 100%.

I am the most conscientious person in the world and even I think your manager is massively taking the p here. Your offer of 4 weeks notice is generous in the circumstances. If she’s making your life unpleasant I’d be asking the new job if you could start asap and giving a week’s notice to the current place.

I also agree with this.

Don’t give your manager a ‘heads up’ you’re leaving. Just hand in your notice at the relevant time. And be helpful during handover.

The exceptions are an internal move when it’s good practice (and sometimes mandated) you tell your current manager you’re applying. And I know some eduction jobs take up references from your current manager at an earlier stages in the princess so you need to tell them.

One day, I’m there. The next day, I’m not. 8 weeks my arse

Zero hours works both ways.they have no obligation to offer you hours and you have no obligation to do any.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.