Advice on how to leave my job

Olivia337

Hi, 

So I have worked in my current role for 4 years now, it's in finance. I have been offered a job in another firm for around 10k a year more than what my current salary is. It seems simple right? Hand the notice in, move jobs, done.

Not quite.

I have no idea what my notice to work is as I never signed a contract (the firm only has 4 employees, the partners being 2 of those)

My boss is going away for 3 weeks in a few days, I now am stuck, do I tell him before I go so that I can work my notice whilst he is away (I am assuming it is going to be a 2 week to 4 week notice due to me being the only other employee) but it that way I risk ruining his holiday, stress of looking for a new employee etc.

I can also wait until he gets back, but that means explaining to the company that have offered me the job I have to wait 3 weeks to hand my notice in and then a potential 3 more weeks until I can start, leaving a 6-7 week block and I don't want that to affect the job offer. 

What on earth do I do? 

Undervalued

Olivia337 said:

Hi, 

So I have worked in my current role for 4 years now, it's in finance. I have been offered a job in another firm for around 10k a year more than what my current salary is. It seems simple right? Hand the notice in, move jobs, done.

Not quite.

I have no idea what my notice to work is as I never signed a contract (the firm only has 4 employees, the partners being 2 of those)

My boss is going away for 3 weeks in a few days, I now am stuck, do I tell him before I go so that I can work my notice whilst he is away (I am assuming it is going to be a 2 week to 4 week notice due to me being the only other employee) but it that way I risk ruining his holiday, stress of looking for a new employee etc.

I can also wait until he gets back, but that means explaining to the company that have offered me the job I have to wait 3 weeks to hand my notice in and then a potential 3 more weeks until I can start, leaving a 6-7 week block and I don't want that to affect the job offer. 

What on earth do I do? 

In the absence of a contractual agreement for more an employee only ever has to give a week's notice to leave, regardless of their length of service.

However, a contract doesn't have to be signed or even in writing to be valid. Obviously it is harder to prove what was agreed if it isn't written down but any verbal agreement is legally just as valid.

Olivia337

Undervalued said:

Olivia337 said:

Hi, 

So I have worked in my current role for 4 years now, it's in finance. I have been offered a job in another firm for around 10k a year more than what my current salary is. It seems simple right? Hand the notice in, move jobs, done.

Not quite.

I have no idea what my notice to work is as I never signed a contract (the firm only has 4 employees, the partners being 2 of those)

My boss is going away for 3 weeks in a few days, I now am stuck, do I tell him before I go so that I can work my notice whilst he is away (I am assuming it is going to be a 2 week to 4 week notice due to me being the only other employee) but it that way I risk ruining his holiday, stress of looking for a new employee etc.

I can also wait until he gets back, but that means explaining to the company that have offered me the job I have to wait 3 weeks to hand my notice in and then a potential 3 more weeks until I can start, leaving a 6-7 week block and I don't want that to affect the job offer. 

What on earth do I do? 

In the absence of a contractual agreement for more an employee only ever has to give a week's notice to leave, regardless of their length of service.

However, a contract doesn't have to be signed or even in writing to be valid. Obviously it is harder to prove what was agreed if it isn't written down but any verbal agreement is legally just as valid.

Thank you! 

There was no verbal or written contract. 

bargainbetty

if you have the other contract in hand, give your boss four weeks notice. His holiday is not your problem, quite frankly. You do not have to consider his stress levels - he could have given you a £10k raise to not leave... 

The other partner will be on site to handle the recruitment of your replacement and there are temp agencies available out there too. 

Best of luck in your new role!!

Undervalued

Olivia337 said:

Undervalued said:

Olivia337 said:

Hi, 

So I have worked in my current role for 4 years now, it's in finance. I have been offered a job in another firm for around 10k a year more than what my current salary is. It seems simple right? Hand the notice in, move jobs, done.

Not quite.

I have no idea what my notice to work is as I never signed a contract (the firm only has 4 employees, the partners being 2 of those)

My boss is going away for 3 weeks in a few days, I now am stuck, do I tell him before I go so that I can work my notice whilst he is away (I am assuming it is going to be a 2 week to 4 week notice due to me being the only other employee) but it that way I risk ruining his holiday, stress of looking for a new employee etc.

I can also wait until he gets back, but that means explaining to the company that have offered me the job I have to wait 3 weeks to hand my notice in and then a potential 3 more weeks until I can start, leaving a 6-7 week block and I don't want that to affect the job offer. 

What on earth do I do? 

In the absence of a contractual agreement for more an employee only ever has to give a week's notice to leave, regardless of their length of service.

However, a contract doesn't have to be signed or even in writing to be valid. Obviously it is harder to prove what was agreed if it isn't written down but any verbal agreement is legally just as valid.

Thank you! 

There was no verbal or written contract. 

There is always a "contract". You agreed to work, they agreed to pay you. Legally that forms a contract. You will also have agreed some other things such as how much you get paid, how much holiday you get etc, etc. 

In the absence of a specific agreement (written, verbal or even semaphore!!) various legal defaults apply. For example you must be paid at least the national minimum wage and get 28 days holiday per year if full time (pro rata if part time). As I said earlier the legal minimum notice is a week if you give them notice. However, if they were to give you notice, you are entitled to one week for up to a year's service then an additional week for each extra complete year of service up to a maximum of 12 years. Strangely that is not equal both ways.

ian16527

Do you get paid weekly or monthly?

Whatever it is then use that as your notice period.

Olivia337

ian16527 said:

Do you get paid weekly or monthly?

Whatever it is then use that as your notice period.

13th of each month.

theoretica

It is nice of you to be concerned for your bosses holiday, but not proportionate to put his holiday above your career advancement. 

cymruchris

I would go with 4 weeks notice in the absence of anything in writing - and think more of your own progression rather than their business and holidays. (You might find they offer you more money to stay - would you?)

Undervalued

ian16527 said:

Do you get paid weekly or monthly?

Whatever it is then use that as your notice period.

This is a popular myth!

Maybe it was once true back in the dim and distant past but nowadays there is no connection between the pay interval and the notice period.

lisyloo

Sorry, but if the boss hasn’t left another contact then you’ll need to contact them on holiday.
thats their problem I’m afraid for not having a delegate.