What happens if I don't work my notice?

nickinoo

I started a new job last week but due to a few things (not been told correct pay, fact that I have to work until 2am due to a stocktake etc) I don't feel happy there.

Anyway I have been offered an interview for a job which sounds perfect for me & they are mega keen (I originally said no to the interview & then changed my mind & they were very happy with this).

In the rule book for my new job it states we have to give 4 weeks notice, as I haven't yet signed the slip to say I agree to the terms & conditions I am assuming that I can get round this?

Whats the worst they can do if I don't work my notice? I assume the norm is to withold holiday pay but obviously I won't have accrued any yet.

Julieboo

Hi,
The 4 week notice terms are only legally binding if you have signed a contract saying so, if they haven't been upfront with the job I wouldn't worry about giving 4 weeks notice, just write a letter explaining the reasons why you are leaving/have left.
Best of luck

nickinoo

Thanks for the reply Julie (love you naming style-LOL!).

I am not aware that I have signed a contract (I'm assuming that the acknowledgement of rules & regulations is their equivilant of a contract).

If I have signed a contract where do I stand?

hjb123

How many days/hours have you worked for them for? Often a job starts with a probationery period and I would have thought that the notice periods will be different with that, possibly a standard one week but not too sure.

You would be best maybe speaking to someone at ACAS their telephone number is 08457 47 47 47

nickinoo

hjb123 wrote:

How many days/hours have you worked for them for? Often a job starts with a probationery period and I would have thought that the notice periods will be different with that, possibly a standard one week but not too sure.

You would be best maybe speaking to someone at ACAS their telephone number is 08457 47 47 47

I started with them last Wednesday & I am contracted to work 20 hours per 5 (5 shifts of 4 hours each).

ckerrd

I think at this stage you can say that the job is not what you expected and you want to walk away. Especially if the pay is not what was promised.
It is not in their interests or yours to be hanign around for a few weeks.
I think you have every right to move on.

nickinoo

I've just spoken to ACAS & she said basically that even though I haven't signed a contract the company could insist on it as taking the job is an acceptance of the rules & regulations (although I would argue that I was not given the rule book until my 2nd day at work). The lady at ACAS said my employer could sue me if they wished.

To be honest I would imagine that if I give my notice they will just tell me to go as I have barely started my training.

lazy_girl

Can you ask for a meeting with your supervisor and state the reasons that you're not happy?

They might appreciate the honesty and if there's nothing they can/are prepared to do to help, then hand in your notice.

Lots of people start jobs & realise it's not for them, good luck in that interview!

nickinoo

lazy_girl wrote:

Can you ask for a meeting with your supervisor and state the reasons that you're not happy?

They might appreciate the honesty and if there's nothing they can/are prepared to do to help, then hand in your notice.

Lots of people start jobs & realise it's not for them, good luck in that interview!

I've just read the handbook & discovered other stuff I wasn't told about, I made a point of asking at my interview about taking leave in December & was told there were no restrictions but it turns out there's no taking of leave in November or December plus restrictions on September & October-what a joke!

Thanks for all the good luck messages.

hjb123

I would speak to the employer and see what they have to say - they may agree to just let you finish when you want - as it would probably be in their interests to get someone new or advertise for them and train them up rather than train you up for you to leave

Astaroth

Of cause the other fact is that companies are used to employees having to give a notice period and a month is not a particularly long one so if you do want to switch jobs I very much doubt that the new company would have any issues having to wait for you to work the notice period of your current employers. Due to the nature of my department all of my team have a 6 month notice period and I have known several of them get new jobs and then hand in their notice, be made to work the full period and their new employers not have any issue with this.

The reality however is that, depending on what the current job is, your new employers will probably agree to waive the notice period with you (esp as you hint that there is a somewhat lengthy training process) as someone under notice is rarely the most productive employee and exponentially increase that by being a trainee who are never productive either (plus the cost of completing your training) and you get an answer that is almost aways a parting of ways and probably a slightly poor reference in the future but then if your new job works out then it will hardly matter