3 month notice period

[ASpookyUsername]

I am about to start a 9 month contract at a university, that has a 6 month probationary period. It also has a 3 month notice period.

Its an interesting role that I think I would enjoy but because its lower paid and fixed term, I will obviously continue looking for other roles.

Had to leave previous employment which was awful so I took what I could get but it does seem a good role.

However, I am worried that if something better comes up, I would be tied into the 3 months notice period.

I can't see anything in the staff handbook that says this only applies after passing probation, it seems to apply from the start. There is also nothing about negotiating an earlier departure.

There is the possibility of another role coming up in June with another company. They said they'd let me know and I think they'd expect me to start asap.

Does anyone have any experience of university notice periods?

I would check the offer letter rather than the staff handbook to see if there is a different notice period during the probationary period. Or ask?It would be quite unusual for a company to lock themselves into three months notice with an unknown employee.

Whether you can negotiate a shorter notice period if that time comes will come down to the specific circumstances and I don’t think having anything written down e.g. it might be possible to reduce notice by mutual consent is either helpful or unhelpful.

You can't put your life on hold for what might be in June. Accept the role at the university - and make the other company aware you have a 3 month notice period if they want you they will plan accordingly or wait.

OP this appears to be your second thread about job offers? There is no guarantee about the University role, you are risking disappointment but trying to pin potentially permanent opportunities around a maybe.

Realistically if they really want you they will wait a 3 month notice period.

3 months is fairly standard for higher grade university staff. Some will give 1 month during probation, others won’t.

My experience is that Uni notice periods are three months as the norm depending on the level of role, and usually it’s pretty negotiable. Tell other roles you apply for, that your notice is three months but probably could be shorter, then speak to your line manager about when they could let you go.

okay I guess I'll have to see if it will be negotiable