What happens if you can't serve notice period

[Amichelle84]

Wondering what would/could happen if circumstances meant I had to leave my job but couldn't serve my 3 month notice period?

It would depend on why you couldn't serve your notice period.

You could be signed off sick?

They could come after you for damages owing to breach of contract. In reality it's unlikely they would, due to the cost not being worth it. Depends on what you do really, and the impact on the business.

You might jeopardise a reference. But a lot of companies confirm dates only now.

It would be down to cost of living, recently gone back to work after maternity leave and with the childcare costs we were down £70 a month but I've managed to cut back in other areas so we break even to cover bills.

The childminder is now putting up her fees which means I'll need to find another £200 a month which is impossible.

We will be better off me leaving my job and looking after our 2 children for now but my notice period is 3 months.

The role I do is office based and there are a lot of us and vacancies always get filled quite quickly - I've been there for 11 years.

If it were me, I would hand my notice in and at the same time explain the reasons and request to work a shorter notice period due to the reasons you outline below.

It's a long service, perhaps they'll offer you more money to make it more worth your while?

Is there anything you can negotiate? - work from home, doing same hours but longer days? Car share? Walk/bikento work? Rather that just handing notice in, which is a bit final really. Can you cut down anywhere else as well? So TV subscriptions, other subscriptions, expensive phones, hobbies etc. It sounds like you are panicking, but leaving work needs to be last thing you do.

Could you ask for a raise rather than quitting?

This is what happens when you have a cost of living crisis and companies/ organisations do not increase workers wages to reflect that. I expect many other parents are facing the same predicament as you OP. I bet lots of people will decide to delay starting a family because of this.

In your position if you can’t afford to continue working I don’t see what choice you have other than to hand in your notice.

I work the other side of London from me so the commute is a good hour by train so cycling in isn't really an option.

I've already cut out subscriptions and our food bill to afford childcare as it is. This just covers our bills and doesn't even include any clothes or nights out etc so literally no where else I can cut.

Although office based it is customer facing so can't wfh, I.e we had to go in over lockdowns. I've reduced hours already but could ask for more but unfortunately I've already been told I have to do mon to Fri or they'd need to employ someone else to cover the days I'm not at work.

Leaving my job would be a last resort but I can't see I have any other option.

If you leave, I think you need to find a way to make your notice period work. How much leave have you and DH got between you?
If you could negotiate down to 2 months notice, could you drop the chilminder to 4 days a week, and you or DH take one days leave a week to cover it ie 4 or 5 days each?

You say you have reduced your hours, but are still doing 5 days a week. Can you increase your hours, without increasing childminder fees (round here it is a day rate, whether you collect at 4 or 6 makes no difference).

Can you find a job nearer home that would make the money work?

I would suggest that you request a pay rise first. Tell them that you are considering resignation but don't want to leave.

If they can't give you a payrise what can they offer? Less days a week? They would have to recruit if you left so recruiting someone for part time might be preferable. Compressed hours? A day working from home a week? Some perks that would help (travel costs or childcare costs related ones). Leave it in their court to persuade you to stay.

If they won't negotiate hand in your notice and ask them if they will let you go early. Remember you can take holiday and parental leave. See whether you can negotiate something before you breach your contract.

Thank you for the advice everyone, I'll speak to them and see where I get.

Do you and dh both make full use of the tax free childcare on your salaries?