Different notice periods

[AVY1]

A friend of mine has just received a contract that states the employer can terminate the contract with one months notice but the employee must give four.

She asked me for advice but I really have no idea - I know that I wouldn't be comfortable accepting those terms.

Are employers allowed to have such different notice periods?

Sorry weeks not months!

Yes. It's not particularly good practice I don't think, but it's perfectly lawful. If that's the standard at that employer it's unlikely your friend would be able to change it, although she could ask the question.

Statutory notice the employer has to give goes up after two years' service to one week per year of service anyway.

Thank you! That's interesting. I did think it sounded like bad form as it were but they're quite established so doubted they'd have it wrong. I will let her know. I think it's putting her off accepting as it makes it seem like they don't value their staff as much as she is supposed to value them.

I think it's putting her off accepting as it makes it seem like they don't value their staff as much as she is supposed to value them

It could be a point of negotiation. If they value your friend's skills (and if she feels it's a point of contention that might put her off the role), there's nothing to stop her taking a chance and asking them to equalise it at 2 months / 2 months on the basis that it makes it fairer on both sides. If you don't ask, you don't get.

It depends how easily they can find someone as good as your friend to fill their vacancy and who would be willing to accept poor contractual conditions. If nothing else it might make them think more closely about how they treat employees.

At my workplace, they give you one weeks notice and you have to give three months whole notice if you want to leave so she doesn't have it that bad.