I recently had an interview for a new job and, to my surprise and delight, was offered it. At the interview I was asked about my notice period. I told them it was a month as I genuinely believed this to be the case at the time. However, I have reread a letter I received at the start of my contract and it states that employees above a certain pay scale need to work two months' notice. Although I don't line manage anyone, my current role was made a manager position earlier this year following a restructure. This took me onto a senior pay scale and into the threshold for longer notice periods.
I put my hands up and accept I should have read the letter more carefully before. I am kicking myself for this now. I can't speak to HR where I work yet as my workplace doesn't open for another week (I am a member of support staffing for a college). But i have verbally told my (hopefully) new employers that I hope to start in early February, once I have been able to speak to current managers and officially handed in my notice at the start of January. Instead, if I do have to work two months' notice, I will be looking at a March start instead.
Yes, I accept this is my own stupid fault but if I do indeed need to work two months notice, could my new employer withdraw the job offer? I haven't signed anything yet and the February start date has only been agreed as a provisional date, but I'm now worried that due to my idiocy they may withdraw the offer and find someone who can start sooner.