Notice Period: Is this normal?

[PablosTescoBar]

Hi, everyone.

I’m looking for some advice, as I’ve come across some conflicting information online and a bit unsure about what to think.

Last week I was offered a job and received my contract today, but as I was reading through it and getting ready to sign, I came across the section about notice periods for both employee and employer.

It states that after the 3 month probation period, I’m required to give 1 month’s notice (so far, pretty standard), but that they only need to give 1 week if they wish to terminate my contract.

During probation, it’s 1 week for both parties, which again, seems pretty standard, but I’ve never come across this before where it’s such a big difference after probation.

In my previous roles, it’s always been at least 4 weeks for both parties, which increases after around 2 years of service.

Could this possibly be a mistake on the contract or is this a standard practice that I’ve just not come across before?

I would like to have a bit more information before I approach them about it because, although it doesn’t sit right with me, I don’t want to jump to conclusions and come across like I’m a trouble maker.

When looking this up online, it appears that it’s perfectly legal to request a longer notice period from employees than the employer is willing to offer, but it’s generally not recommended to employers by HR consultants and lawyers because it’s viewed as unfair and unethical.

The role itself isn’t overly complex or one that would require a very large amount of handover time, but it’s also quite competitive, so if I was to have my contract terminated, then a week wouldn’t usually be enough time to find a new role.

If anyone can shed any light on this, it would be much appreciated 😊.

Does it say what happens after 2 years' service? You'd be entitled to a week per year of service after that. Or do they not usually retain staff long term?

I don't really have any answers, but it would make me uncomfortable too. You say the role is quite competitive, is the employer/sector known to have a "burn and churn" culture?

That's the impression it gives me but I could be wrong.

Or I suppose it's possible it might be a typo if it's a small employer? (That might be an optimistic interpretation but it's possible in theory.)

My previous job was one month during probation period and 3 months afterwards, that was a big accountancy firm.

I wouldn't be willing to sign to 1 week notice.

Sounds like a typo normally both parties the same notice period. Just ask them.

I'd definitely raise it. A month each after probation, same commitment from both makes sense to me.

I’ve just accepted a job offer and my offer states, within 6 months probation, both parties must give 1 week. After probation both must give 6 weeks. So yes, it seems unusual.

Mine is 1 week to employer

Employer 1 week up to 2 years service, then additional week per year of service

it’s unusually short, always been 4 weeks or so everywhere else I’ve been unless it’s agency etc

Yes. My partner had this in a contract for a job once. He stated that he wouldn't sign with those terms and requested a longer notice period.

That's not the case - a shorter notice period / statutory notice only for the employer to give is common with some employers. Not any I would work for, but it's unlikely to be a typo. Contracts are usually a standard template, and a large error like that would almost certainly have been picked up before now.

Thanks for the replies. I’m glad to know that this isn’t considered normal.

I’ve gone back over it, and it says:

Up to 2 years of continuous service = 1 week
More than 2 years of continuous service = 1 week for each complete year of service.

I do agree that it’s likely not a typo, as that would be strange for a contract, but was hoping it was.

I’m going to email them in the morning to find out and will take it from there. If it’s one week and they can’t/won’t budge on it, it’s definitely a dealbreaker.

I negotiate my notice periods when I change jobs. I managed to get mine from 3 months to 1 month. Sometimes I think they’re greatful you’re not negotiating something tougher like salary!

Def not a typo than. Hopefully you can negotiate it

It's the statutory position for the Employer. I wouldn’t agree to it.

Notice periods for employer and employee don't have to match, although that is the usual approach in the UK. You are perfectly within your rights to query it and ask for it to be increased though as one week is very short for anything but a casual job. At least a month after the probation period (for both employer and employee) is much more standard for a professional role (increasing with service in line with the statutory requirements).

Yeah, that’s pretty much what I’ve read, that it’s not required, but also isn’t very common. So it stood out right away because my notice period has always been the same on both sides, before and after probation.

You could negotiate your notice period down to match theirs? Unless you want to be there more than 4 years

Just to update in case anyone else comes across this. I heard back from HR and it’s not a typo. They do only need to give the employee 1 week, which increases after 2 years.

She also worded it as after 4 years, you’d be entitled to 4 weeks notice, which, in my opinion is not quite the benefit she thinks it is 😂🤷🏻‍♀️.

Hmm don't think I'd be keen!

Yeah, I have a bit of a bad feeling about it overall as there are a few other red flags I’ve noticed like being very vague on the company pension offered and stating that employees are only auto enroled after 6 months, which, again, is legal, but not common in my experience.

It just feels like they’re doing everything they can to meet the very bare minimum legal requirements, but don’t really value their employees much, and want to save as much money as possible.

I’ve also noticed some things not mentioned in the contract that were mentioned at the interview.

I will definitely be withdrawing my application and not signing anything.

Sorry this one didn't work out. FWIW based on what you've said, I get the same feeling about what kind of place this would be to work. I wonder how many of their employees actually survive to 2 years let alone 4 years.

Hopefully there will be a better opportunity for you around the corner.

I honestly would turn the job down over this. It is a fundamentally unfair contract term and reflects very badly on them.

@PablosTescoBar

Sounds wise to withdraw your application. Have you also had a look at Glassdoor to see what their past/present employees think of them? 🌹

Go with your gut. From what you have said I would withdraw.

I've had a lot of jobs, this is common nowadays