Help me choose between two jobs

MrBrindle

Hi, I've verbally accepted a job offer from an university to work as a graphic designer. The university is an hours commute from where I live which is more than what I would like to travel, but the job is good and it's home based for the foreseeable future.

Now, I had my contract through this week to sign and unfortunately the contract states two months notice if an employer chooses to leave. I'm really uncomfortable with this to be honest, and it would make me very unattractive to any future jobs I would apply for. Seriously, 2 months?! I've never come across such a lengthy notice period, seems ridiculous.

Is this something I can negotiate with them? Obviously in a friendly and positive manner.

MovingForwards

2 months notice isn't long, I've had plenty of jobs where it's 3 months.

You can try negotiating with them, but they tend to have standard contract wording and for jobs for jobs across the different spinal bands.

Annisele

Two months doesn't seem that long to me. In my industry 8 or 12 weeks is standard depending on seniority.

You can try to negotiate, but it'll likely come across as "I don't really want this job and I'll leave as soon as I can".

You can also try to negotiate on the way out. If 2 months is normal in the industry, then other employers aren't going to be surprised by it. (Although your surprise makes me think that maybe it isn't normal in your industry - but even then, I think you're more likely to succeed negotiating on the way out than on the way in.)

MrBrindle

Well I work in design and marketing and never seen a notice period of  more than one month, but then again I've previously worked for private sector companies ranging from small to medium sized businesses. Maybe public bodies are different?

74jax

My notice was 3 months, I handed it in last year and believe me..... it's long..................However from my employers side, it gave them time to advertise, interview and appoint.  We then had a relatively good handover period.  I'm not sure I'd be keen on another 3 month notice, as it really wasn't the best - however covid /wfh etc might have also had something to do with it.
I don't think it makes you unattractive to other employers, when I've interviewed I've always gone with the person I wanted, irrespective of how long it would take to get them into the position.  
If you are uneasy though, of course just ask to reduce it down to 1.  They can only say no and then you can make a decision then.  
Is it 2 months either side?  SO they need to pay you 2 months also?

MrBrindle

Yes, it's two months either side. I was thinking of negotiating down to one, but then as Annisele said, it could come across as if I don't really want the job etc.

This is after the notice bit, which I've chopped down the important parts:

........Employee giving notice of a shorter period than that required, the Employer reserves the right to terminate the Employee's employment by making a payment of salary in lieu of the notice required by this clause or any unexpired period of such notice......  What does this mean exactly? Another factor which I haven't mentioned is that I have another interview coming up for the local council, where I did 3 months of freelance work before xmas. And if I do get offered that, I don't want two months of notice to affect my chances -  because that's a job I really want. The interview isn't until the 25th (quite a long wait for some reason) and I can't really stall the contract for this job until then. It's just awkward timing all round!

General_Grant

MrBrindle said:

Yes, it's two months either side. I was thinking of negotiating down to one, but then as Annisele said, it could come across as if I don't really want the job etc.

This is after the notice bit, which I've chopped down the important parts:

........Employee giving notice of a shorter period than that required, the Employer reserves the right to terminate the Employee's employment by making a payment of salary in lieu of the notice required by this clause or any unexpired period of such notice......  What does this mean exactly? Another factor which I haven't mentioned is that I have another interview coming up for the local council, where I did 3 months of freelance work before xmas. And if I do get offered that, I don't want two months of notice to affect my chances -  because that's a job I really want. The interview isn't until the 25th (quite a long wait for some reason) and I can't really stall the contract for this job until then. It's just awkward timing all round!

Perhaps it would be clearer if you gave the heading or preliminary wording before the text in bold but, if there is just a comma after "required", it appears to be giving the University the right, if they wish, to agree with the employee they can leave early, not have to work all of the notice and the University will still pay up for the full contractual notice period.  That seems silly as it looks as though they could agree to an employee working for one month and leaving but the employer would still pay for the unworked month.  
I think it shouldn't refer to the employee giving less than the contractual notice period but simply that the University can pay in lieu of notice (ie you don't have to work but will get paid an amount equivalent to what you would have earned if you did work the full notice period).

Regarding your second point, "a bird in the hand . . . "

68ComebackSpecial

MrBrindle said:

Well I work in design and marketing and never seen a notice period of  more than one month, but then again I've previously worked for private sector companies ranging from small to medium sized businesses. Maybe public bodies are different?

Is the position more senior than those you have previously held? Generally the higher you climb up the corporate ladder the longer the notice period - 3 months I would consider to be standard for even a low/ middle role with responsibility. My husband is on 6 months from his side and a year if his employer gives notice. On the positive side it means that in the event you are let go you would get 2 months pay and the breathing space that would give you to secure a new postion.

Savvy_Sue

Worth pointing out that notice periods during probation are often shorter - does it say anything about that in the contract? 

and even if it doesn't, they may be glad of you going quickly if you DO land the other job. 

Gavin83

I agree with the others, 2 months seems normal for a professional job these days. I’d only really consider a month normal for less
skilled jobs where the employee is more easily replaced.

The more senior you get the higher it will go. I believe for senior management positions 6 months is common.

AskAsk

2 months isn't that long so i wouldn't worry too much about it.  when you do decide to leave, you may be able to negotitiate to shorten it then.  i don't think it would put off other employers employing you.