Giving Less Notice Than Required

tsimehC

Hi,

I was just thinking of a scenerio where if I got an job offer and the new employer wanted me to start within two weeks but my current job has a contractual period of four weeks, would it be okay to give two weeks and leave the current job?

I didn't want to ask my manager for obvious reasons and the staff intranet funnily enough says minimum of a two week notice is required but this might be for employees that have passed the probationary period (I have a 12-month fixed-term contract, 7 months in). I hope I'm right in thinking that two weeks is adequate because opportunities to move in the right direction are few and far between these days.

[Deleted User]

Hmmm..

Ask your potencial new employer what their notice period if they ever try and force you to join earlier, never, ever burn bridges if you truly can is my moto

When not quitting heat of the moment stylee, rule of thumb I always go by how you get paid really predicts your notice period - paid weekly - you may leave weekly, paid monthly well it's 4 weeks, sometimes gone by rota's and work patterns instead, could all depend on the line of business to I suppose and specific contract/terms of employment, never more so in today's world

dancingfairy

Normally there is some scope to negotiate your new start date. I would hope that a decent employer would understand that you are bound by your notice period at your old place. Sometimes your old employer may allow you to take unused holiday (they don't have to though).
In theory your old employer could take you to court for any additional costs they incur for you leaving early -ie if they have to pay a temp to cover for you but I think in practice it is quite rare. Obviously if you will ever need them for a reference it is a really bad idea to upset them as well.
It is obviously always best to try and end things on a positive note (especially if it is in the same industry).
Good Luck
df

tsimehC

Thanks for the replies. I have found a few vacancies that require immediate starts (called one up to check if two weeks was okay and they said they'd accommodate but need to get staff in as soon as possible). I stand a good chance of getting it but it's a tricky situation. I'm just going to have to give the two weeks notice and see what happens, worst that can happen is I get sued I guess. I doubt that'll happen but I'll make sure to leave on good terms when the time comes.

anamenottaken

Deleted%20User wrote: »

Hmmm..

Ask your potencial new employer what their notice period if they ever try and force you to join earlier, never, ever burn bridges if you truly can is my moto

When not quitting heat of the moment stylee, rule of thumb I always go by how you get paid really predicts your notice period - paid weekly - you may leave weekly, paid monthly well it's 4 weeks, sometimes gone by rota's and work patterns instead, could all depend on the line of business to I suppose and specific contract/terms of employment, never more so in today's world

May work as a rule of thumb in some cases I suppose but it isn't the law and employment contracts can state whatever the employer wants as far as notice from employee is concerned.