Notice period question

[TeenLifeMum]

I started in my organisation about 10 years ago with a contract that said one month notice. I’ve never signed anything different however I’ve changed jobs and now, at my banding, the standard is 3 months. A colleague mentioned it’s not enforceable anyway but I didn’t get to follow up and he wasn’t speaking to me.

I am looking for other opportunities. My current workplace has changed with a new director and new people and it’s not somewhere I want to stay. It’s making me miserable and impacting my home life (bullying, lack of respect etc - toxic is the best word for it). I’ve really tried but these are not people who share my values and they see my kindness as a weakness.

anyway, I want out and the thought of 3 months notice feels oppressive. If I got a new role, is there a way to reduce the notice period?

Do you have a HR department? Or manager you can ask?

If you've not signed an updated contract since the one with one months notice then I'm not sure it's enforceable.

Even if it is the "standard" if it's still one month on your contract then surely the notice period is still one month.

Hopefully someone with HR knowledge will come along with firm advice.

In terms of not working your notice - you can ask for a reduced notice period and it's up to the company to agree or not.

If you don't work your notice period, if the company can demonstrate this has lead to increased cost (I.e hiring agency staff) then they can take you to court for these costs. However in your case, you have a contract of one month.

The other issue with not working notice without prior agreement is reference - you will obv need a reference from a 10 year employment so I'd tread on the side of caution.

Get some firm advice on the contract and if they can enforce three months (I don't think they can).

You can ask / negotiate a different notice period.

Three months is quite normal I thought.

I’m pretty sure (but not certain) the lack of contract won’t matter. I think if you have continued to work there it counts as accepting the new contract

You could ask for a shorter notice and see what they say. Or I suppose the alternative is to get signed off.

@Season0fTheWitch hr is best friends with my manager. I don’t want manager to know I’m considering leaving… she’s bad enough as it is. I think I’ll assume 3 months and see if I can negotiate or go off sick if it comes to it.

I should add, I don’t say that lightly. I’ve never been signed off in my life. Never thought it would come to this.

How easy would it be to find another role? Can you resign now whilst looking for another job?

However if your contract has one months notice I would assume that is what you need to give.

There’s not a lot around at my level but maybe I could do hybrid contract work. Having worked in the same organisation for 10 years I’ve not looked into it until now. Financially I don’t think we can risk it, although dh is really supportive.