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Original poster

If you have to work a long notice...

13 replies

BlueBar · 27/10/2022 10:11

How do you stay motivated? Or do you?

I have to give 3 months. This is normal in my role.

It's a slightly moot point in that I haven't been offered a job yet 😆 but I've decided it's time to move on. TBH struggling with motivation is already one of the reasons to go.

During the 3 month notice period, how do you manage to stay conscientious? I'd make sure everything that really needed doing was done and that there wasn't going to be anything awful for those who follow to find, but I think I'll struggle to really be interested in doing a good job.

Just me or is this usual?

OP posts:

lannistunut · 27/10/2022 10:14

This is normal, and you can sometimes negotiate an early leave date for this reason, as managers understand it.

But you change focus, so your focus is now on leaving in tidy/organised fashion. The time passes quite quickly. You free up time by not going to any meetings on stuff that you won't be involved in. The job suddenly feels easier because you become ultra pragmatic!

Motnight · 27/10/2022 10:16

I interviewed successfully for a role at the beginning of December and didn't start it until the end of March.

It was liberating actually thinking that I wouldn't have to deal with what was a lot of difficult situations not of my making for much longer! And I had a lot of issues with my line manager and found it much easier just to smile and nod for the last few months than otherwise.

I spent quite a lot of time on a really good comprehensive handover document - over 40 pages. I wanted to be able to leave my programme in the best possible position, especially as there was no immediate replacement for me.

Congratulations as well!

Princessglittery · 27/10/2022 12:37

Use your accrued annual leave to take a break mid week or a long weekend. It is liberating to take a Wednesday as leave and for example go to the cinema, do a hobby, spa day etc.

theemmadilemma · 27/10/2022 12:44

As a Manager I don't expect people to particularly stay engaged for 4 weeks notice, let alone 3 months. I think that's natural. It's generally a wind down period.

Such long notice period usually come with the types of role that you'd offer gardening leave for anyway, and are negiotiable.

lannistunut · 27/10/2022 12:48

theemmadilemma · 27/10/2022 12:44

As a Manager I don't expect people to particularly stay engaged for 4 weeks notice, let alone 3 months. I think that's natural. It's generally a wind down period.

Such long notice period usually come with the types of role that you'd offer gardening leave for anyway, and are negiotiable.

This is not the case - some sectors have 3 months as standard, above the lowest levels.

emmama2 · 27/10/2022 12:51

DH is working a 3 month notice atm. He's coping by making his work friends his outside of work friends and looking for another role. I had to serve a 6 week notice recently and I spent the time making handover as easy as possible and doubling the training to my colleague that had to hold the fort until the new person started

toomuchfaster · 27/10/2022 12:55

theemmadilemma · 27/10/2022 12:44

As a Manager I don't expect people to particularly stay engaged for 4 weeks notice, let alone 3 months. I think that's natural. It's generally a wind down period.

Such long notice period usually come with the types of role that you'd offer gardening leave for anyway, and are negiotiable.

Nonsense, in my profession a large amount of the work force have a 3 month notice period. I would be expected to complete the day to day stuff as normal for the whole 12 weeks and wrap up or hand over projects. Booking leave would be subject to usual rules of minimum numbers required in the office, I couldn't just take days willy nilly!

Mydogisanaughtyboy · 27/10/2022 13:15

I'm currently working a three month notice - I'm only going to cope because I have booked all my leave into it. The 15+ hours a week unpaid OT I work after hours and weekends has sharply come to an end. Jan 23 is going to be the light at the end of the tunnel!

Aprilx · 28/10/2022 03:49

theemmadilemma · 27/10/2022 12:44

As a Manager I don't expect people to particularly stay engaged for 4 weeks notice, let alone 3 months. I think that's natural. It's generally a wind down period.

Such long notice period usually come with the types of role that you'd offer gardening leave for anyway, and are negiotiable.

I would find three months to be absolutely bog standard for anybody other than entry level employees. I wouldn’t even think about gardening leave for the majority.

SchrodingersKettle · 28/10/2022 05:55

Three months is standard in my industry. My DH is senior technical and has just quit his job on SIX months notice, no gardening leave. Gardening leave really only applies if you have access to company secrets or strategy. Usually most staff can be redeployed in the 6 month simply to avoid that stuff, atill plenty else to do.

Month 1 - work closely with your manager to define priorities for your to complete during your notice period. Also use this time to tidy up any personal emails or files on your computer or inbox.

Month 2- get your handover notes up tp date and sort out a plan for short-term cover of non-core tasks which currently you cope with due to your experience in role, but a new person might struggle with in their first few months.

Month 3 - handover to new staff member or make recordings of training if there is no overlap.

Motnight · 28/10/2022 06:06

theemmadilemma · 27/10/2022 12:44

As a Manager I don't expect people to particularly stay engaged for 4 weeks notice, let alone 3 months. I think that's natural. It's generally a wind down period.

Such long notice period usually come with the types of role that you'd offer gardening leave for anyway, and are negiotiable.

That's really not true!

countrygirl99 · 28/10/2022 06:09

3.months has been standard for any role I've had for the last 3 decades. I've never had garden leave, or known anyone else get it, but have managed to negotiate down to 9 or 10 weeks a couple of times.

SmokedHaddockChowder · 28/10/2022 06:42

Can you work from home in your role OP?
I normally work like a dog, but once I handed in my notice, I put my feet up.
I'd already worked hard at training up the person who would be filling in while they recruited my replacement.
I'd written training guides and handover notes and so on too.
It was important that she could get on with the role on her own and just come to me with questions while I was still around.
I treated the 3 months like a holiday - sorted out the house, went hiking during the day, did the gardening.
On MN, lots of people said I'd be put onto some sort of industry blacklist! 😹 But nope, my employer has said they'd have me back with open arms, and the lady I trained sends me regular job adds to try to get me back.
So what I'm saying OP is, this is your one chance to (conscientiously) slack off (if you're in the sort of role that allows it) so make the most of it!

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