Help - notice period!

[BlueEyesUltimateDragon]

Hi, I started a new job at a school on 08.01.24 and I have decided to resign (I have a thread in The Staffroom with all the details). I received my contact (not yet signed) a week ago and it stipulates that it is 1 months notice (no difference for probation period).
I am not an unconscientious person and I am willing to work up to half term which is 2 weeks (so that would be 3 weeks notice if I included half term) but I cannot bear to work any longer than that there. I have cried every day, I am in constant "fight or flight" mode, it is effecting my sleep and I'm just totally miserable.

My question is - is it unreasonable that they expect 1 month notice from the very first day and how much trouble would I be in for only giving 3 weeks? If I could not return next week, I would, but I don't want to leave them in a tight spot and would rather give them the chance to sort supply/cover. Equally, I also don't want to be guilted into staying.

Help!

4 weeks is standard but can be negotiated with your Line Manager/Headteacher to 3 weeks. I think you need to have that conversation.

@Whoknowswhatanymore thanks for the speedy reply! I am a bit surprised, just because statutory states that within a month, no notice is needed and then over 1 month but during probation is typically 1 week either side. This was the case at all places I've been employed.
I've never been one to up and leave, I've been at all most employments for minimum 18 months and my last school was 5 years but I'm just broken already and it's only day the middle of week 3!

Perhaps get your GP to sign you off if it's genuinely affecting your health?

Self cert for sickness for the final 5 days if they won't release you early.

It’s one months notice, you say that will be one calendar month, not 4 weeks. But as you are such a new employee there may be scope to negotiate an earlier date. Good luck.

@Roselilly36 yes you're right, I've just been lucky as, if I give notice tomorrow, the 25th Feb is a Sunday so works out as 4 weeks of work iykwim 😬

Speak to your manager and see what you can negotiate

I don't know about these things but if you haven't signed your contract yet, do you have to follow the notice period?

@rainbowstardrops unfortunately, it doesn't matter if it has been signed or not, it's just the fact that I have been issued them

Oh that's not good then! I would have thought you'd need a contract to be signed before it comes in to effect.

There is absolutely no need to sign a paper contract. The employment contract was formed when the offer was made and accepted. The employer is required to provide a statement of particulars on or before the first day of employment and this does not need to be signed or acknowledged by the employee.

There is absolutely no need to sign a paper contract. The employment contract was formed when the offer was made and accepted. The employer is required to provide a statement of particulars on or before the first day of employment and this does not need to be signed or acknowledged by the employee.*

Like I said, I have no idea about these things. What's the point of signing a contract if you don't actually have to then? Genuine question.

Well you don’t need to sign anything. As I said the employment contact was formed when the offer was made and accepted verbally. The piece of paper is not a contract, it is the evidence of the contract. So you could say that some people will like to have the evidence of the contract, but many employers will just hand over the statement of written particulars, which is the legal obligation.

Well you don’t need to sign anything. As I said the employment contact was formed when the offer was made and accepted verbally. The piece of paper is not a contract, it is the evidence of the contract. So you could say that some people will like to have the evidence of the contract, but many employers will just hand over the statement of written particulars, which is the legal obligation.*

That's interesting to know. Thank you.