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Original poster

Do I have to give any notice if I quit my job.........

16 replies

HRHQueenOfQuotes · 24/03/2006 12:08

and if so how much?? I'm still on probation at work, and although I love the actual job I'm not particularly happy with my working environment. I've started having a look for another job, not seen anything yet, but wondered if I'm still on probation, and therefore haven't signed a contract - do I have to give them notice - and how much.

I intend to give them at least 2/3 weeks (if possible), but on OTH I'm starting to think that I have to speak to the manager to let her know exactly how I'm feeling about it (you never know things might change......), thing is if the meeting goes badly (or how the other 'meetings' with her have gone) I may just quit, but need to know where I stand.

OP posts:
zippitippitoes · 24/03/2006 12:15

I don't think you do necessarily have to give notice, but standard would be about a week if you have been there 2 years or less but more than a month..and you could take holiday accrued as part of your notice

fairyjay · 24/03/2006 12:48

What does it say in your contract? Ours says that 1 weeks notice is required whilst you're still on probation.

makealist · 24/03/2006 12:58

You would be wanting a reference from them won't you? So if I were you I would keep them sweet and give a weeks notice.

Original poster
HRHQueenOfQuotes · 24/03/2006 13:02

fairy - I don't have a contract yet - supposed to be done once I've finished probation.

Makealist - don't know if I'd want a reference or not - depends on what job I get and TBH not sure I'd want a reference of her anyhow....

OP posts:
clerkKent · 24/03/2006 13:46

You have a contract (you work, they pay you), it is just not written down.

It would be reasonable to give a week's notice. They cannot do anything if you just leave, but it might be hard to get any pay they still owe you.

FairyMum · 24/03/2006 13:51

It's very unusal not to have a written contract when you work even if on probation isn't it?

Original poster
HRHQueenOfQuotes · 24/03/2006 14:06

nope definitely no written contract yet. So when I applied for the job and was told 9.45-7.30 - there was nothing I could do when they changed the hours to 9.45-7, something which had apparently been on the cards for ages, but which I wasn't told about.

The latest thing comes about due to one of the new night girls (who took us up to 'full' numbers) leaving after just one night on the job). Apparently the rest of us night staff have to cover the shifts she would have done..........only a few weeks ago it was "shifts to be covered if you want them"

OP posts:
Mazzystar · 24/03/2006 14:09

oh, no has it got even worse?

if you are still on probation, as i understand it you do not need to give notice, but you would maintain the moral high ground if you did.

fingers crossed with the search for something where they appreciate you as you deserve to be.

bran · 24/03/2006 14:11

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Original poster
HRHQueenOfQuotes · 24/03/2006 14:24

it's driving me insane Mazzy - the manager has completely redone the night rotas (which the night supervisor had spent hours on) and done it so that the girl who I get on really well with (and who between us have worked out a great 'routine' for the shift) and no longer working together at all.

The last time the manager spoke to me she told me we shoud "keep our friendship outside of work". Bit hard really not to get along well at night - if you have a quiet night - like my last 2 nights have been you can be sitting around drinking coffe e just answering the odd buzzer and doing 1hrly checks for up to 2hrs Shock! And of course with us both working different nights of the week that means we'll have 2 days a fortnight when neither of us will be working - ok I know it's a petty thing that I can't see my friend out of hours but it's irritating when I know the rotas have been worked like that deliberately.

Instead of each of the night girls having 1 night a fortnight with the night supervisor - I'm down for 3. I feel like I'm under constant pressure to be 'perfect' and that I'm just not good enough for them - whereas just a month or so ago I had my 6-8weekly supervision dicussion with the manager and she was singing my praises saying how well I was doing.

I love the work I do there, and I love the residents they're (mostly) a great bunch - even the two faced one who accused me of shouting at her, and then changed her mind once I'd seen the manager was singing my praises the other morning as I put her hearing aid in for the first time - didn't do a great job and the other girl had to sort it properly - but at least she could hear me. Usually as soon as you go in after another carer has been in she's sitting there b*tching about them, but as I came out of another residents room she said to other girl "she didn't a really good job for her first time" Grin. It's stuff like that (and the money side of it) that's keeping me there at the moment.

OP posts:
Mazzystar · 24/03/2006 14:42

honestly QoQ i think you must have the patience of a saint for hanging on in there.

hopefully something better will be coming your way soon

ProfYaffle · 24/03/2006 14:49

Once you've been there a month you are entitled to a week's notice if they were to terminate your contract. It would probably be polite, but not essential, to give a week's notice.

If you had a contract and you didn't give the required notice they could technically sue you for breach of contract. However, this is really rare as it costs the company more money to go to court than they'd get off you. Also, you have no contract, so f*ck 'em!

Original poster
HRHQueenOfQuotes · 24/03/2006 14:52

mazzy - it's a combination of needing the money - we're finally getting back 'on track' with our finances (still got most of the debts - but we're managing the repayments ok now). And not wanting to quit and then later realise I'd made a mistake leaving - did that with the job I first had in Zim. It went really well for ages (admittedly a lot longer this one) and then we got new staff in our department and things turned sour - I got a better job offer from the International School out there and left.............I hated the job with a passion - thankgoodness the government messed around with my visa and the school decided not to keep me after my 3 month probation - it was the biggest mistake of my life Shock and something I still regret nearly 8yrs later!

I don't want to think the grasser is greener (so to speak) on the otherside about my current job - only to end up somewhere worse...

OP posts:
fransmom · 26/03/2006 22:33

Shock just read this thread quickly as friend having similar probs to you HRH, i fairly sure it's illegal to ask you to work for them without giving you a contract - why do firms think they can get away with this?

clerkKent · 28/03/2006 13:06

Under the Employments Rights Act 1996 an employee is entitled to a written statement of employment particulars within 2 months of starting.

See \link{http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1996/96018--a.htm#1\this}.

sunnydelight · 29/03/2006 14:16

Check out adviceguide.org.uk Having just beent through it for you I would say you should give one weeks notice in your circumstances. That would certainly satisfy any test of reasonableness, especially as they are currently in breach of employment legislation as clerkKent has pointed out by not giving you a written statement of employment particulars. Persumably you were offered the job in writing? It would be worth having a look at what the offer said. If a company runs a probationary period system they usually tell you the notice requirements on either side when they make an offer.

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