When should I hand in my notice?

[Jabbythehutt]

I really enjoy where I work now, i have lovely colleagues, boss is reasonable, company has a really good supportive atmosphere (for the most part), fun yearly company do etc. However it is corporate and policies/procedures are quite strict.
I’ve wanted to move area for a while (geographically) and have found another job in a really nice rural area. It is a step up for me in terms of facilities, pay is better despite being only 0.75 time, the rota also works better I think in terms of childcare. This job starts in January and I have to give 2m notice.
However I really don’t want to burn bridges with this company, they are a big employer for my niche area of expertise and I still enjoy working for them and would like the option of working for them again (at this location or another). At my current place I’m helping my co-manager move our practice, it will be very stressful and busy for her without me and the move is due in January. We are good friends and she is have a tough time coping with work atm. I’ve not timed this on purpose, jobs don’t come up very often so I have to grab opportunities while I can.
My question is, do I give my notice early so they have as much time as possible to prepare/find a replacement if possible, but say that I don’t want to leave until December? Or will they kick me out after my notice period regardless so I should give notice in October?

TLDR: Found another job, don’t want to burn my bridges with current, do I give notice 4 months before I actually want to leave to give them plenty of time to prepare?

Unless there is going to be a request for references, dont hand your notice in before you need to.
Factor in some time to move, and get set up in new location (and Christmas) - so dont leave it til 31 October, but only give them 2 months official notice.

As soon as you hand your notice in the relationship with your employer and colleagues will change significantly.

If you give notice now could they ask you to leave in 2 months leaving you with no salary? I have seen it happen before. You might think you are doing them a favour giving them plenty of notice, they might think it will impact team morale having someone who is no longer long term invested in her job.

Your contract, which they wrote, asks for 2 months. Honour the contract and tell them 2 months before you wish to leave.

Yes to what BrokenWing said. I have seen it mentioned on Mumsnet where the employee has helpfully given too much notice and the employer has then given the employee notice of the correct duration, ending the employment earlier than the employee expected. Can you afford that to happen?

If you trust your employer you could tell them you are looking at another job opportunity, to give them a heads up that you might be leaving, but I would still only do that if you can afford a gap in employment.

And definitely don't hand your notice in until you have the contact for the new job.

Ok thanks very much everyone, that makes sense. I think I’ll give my co-manager a heads up but won’t tell my line manager until October

Never hand in notice before you need to go unless you implicitly trust your employer not to shaft you by insisting you leave after the minimum period ie if you give 4 months notice but you only have to give 2, they can boot you out after 2 months have elapsed leaving you high and dry for 4 months.

They have decided on the appropriate notice period when they wrote your contract, so its on them if it's not long enough.

Sorry meant high and dry for 2 months.. my maths isn't that bad really!