Handed in notice....

[Bunch]

Handed in my notice and given 4 weeks. Just been told the notice period is actually 8 weeks. I've never signed a contract. Can I insist on 4 being accepted?

When you say you've never signed a contract, do you mean you were never given one? Or you were given one saying 8 weeks, didn't sign it but carried on working?

Don't think I've ever received one. I'm just frantically checking all my papers at the moment. Does it make a difference then?

It might. If you were issued a contract saying 8 weeks and made no protest about it, just carried on working, they would argue that despite not technically signing it you had in practice accepted the terms and conditions offered.

Bunch - what would they actually be able to do if you left after 4 weeks regardless. They're unlikely to take it further and any reference to your new employer (if there is one) will probably already have been sent.

Don't think I received one, certainly don't recall it. How would they prove I received it anyway tho?? And how can I now get them to accept 4 weeks?

SciFiFan, yes, reference has already been done. I was wondering what they could do if I just up and left after 4 weeks too?

They can't do a lot if you leave after 4 weeks, no. Future references might be affected though - you may have secured your next job but consider the one after that.

I think you should be fine leaving after 4 weeks anyway. If they are saying 8 weeks and showing you that on a copy of a contract issued to you it's just a little less clear-cut.

Good point. Not sure what to do now!!