New job, contract notice period

[fitflopqueen]

Hi

I am due to start a new job next week, this is for a "provider of services" and I would be providing a service for a specific contract.

My dilemma is the notice period required, if I want to leave after initial 3 month probationary period I am required to give 10 weeks notice but the employer will only give me 4 weeks notice. I was with my previous employers for a very long time and the notice period was equal on both sides.

Is this something that most companies would do now? I feel uncomfortable signing an employment contract with this in but also unsure about raising it before I start.

Any advice please (also this is in the healthcare world)

Personally I would not entertain an employer who would hold me in post and not release me for 2.5 months if I found another job, but would on the other hand have the ability to get rid of me with only 1 month's notice.

I would challenge it and if they aren't willing to budge, I'd have serious caveats about working for them. It is not good employment practice for the employer to create an imbalance of power in their favour.

Sorry, that sounds pretty normal to me - 3 months notice from an employee especially if senior is standard where I've worked. I think my DH has three month's notice as well but I doubt the company has to give him that much notice in return.

thanks for your replies, I am assuming that they have put this in place so that if they lose a contract they can reduce costs quickly but need to maintain continuity of service hence longer notice period on the employees part. Food for thought.

Good practice is to “mirror” notice periods and I would definitely think less of an employer who requires a long notice period but isn’t prepared to give the same.

3 months is fine, but it has to be both ways! I would not agree to this. 3 months on both sides, or 1 month on both sides (or any other period that applies to both parties).

I think there is a possibility that the longer notice period would be unenforceable on the employee under the Unfair Contract Terms Act. There are special protections given to employees with respect to employment contracts due to the power imbalance in the employer/ employee relationship.