Do I have to work my notice period?

[Fliss12345]

I would be very grateful for any words of wisdom please.

Over 5 weeks ago, I emailed my boss asking how long my notice period is. It's 8 weeks. I can't work the current hours she's giving me as it's affecting my studies too much. She said she would reduce my hours instead of me leaving. I'd only be working 3 days instead of 5. She said it would take at least 4 weeks to implement the changes. I have my rota until what will be 6 weeks since her email, still no reduction in hours. If she keeps me waiting can I just go when the 8 weeks would be up?

She's currently uncontactable as she's been on holiday & is now ill. She is aware that I have other job opportunities that fit my criteria.

Can you contact your HR?

Have you actually resigned rather than just asking what your notice period is ?

Have you resigned? You don't have to work any of your notice period if you don't want to and you don't care about the reference.

If you have resigned and intend to work out the eight weeks from when you did just confirm in writing that your last date will be X which is eight weeks from when you handed your notice in.

It doesn't sound like you have actually resigned yet, you have just asked about your notice period.

You would be in breach of contract if you do not see out your notice and technically you could be sued for any unusually high costs the employer incurs for getting cover at short notice. In practice this is very very unlikely to happen and it will be more a case of leaving on bad terms / burning bridges / poor reference.

It doesn’t sound like you’ve actually handed in a resignation? So you’re not currently working a notice at all. You agreed to a reduction in hours that hasn’t been implemented, that’s your first argument to solve. If you don’t get that agreed change then you can hand in your notice.

Thanks all.

She is HR. It's a very small company. You're right, I haven't technically handed in my notice period. I was going to, but she offered me reduced hours instead. I accepted that offer but if it's not implemented within 8 weeks then I may as well as have left & accepted another job offer. I was thinking that I'd have some argument to leave & that I wouldn't have to give 8 weeks notice.