Working a shorter notice period

lazer-zxr

I have landed a new dream job.

My current employment contract requires 6 months notice. I’ve put notice in, and included a wish to leave earlier. The new job wanted me in 4 weeks. I’ve negotiated this to 3 months.
Would you just leave after the 3 months?

Woodstok2000

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6676967/working-a-shorter-notice-period

I wouldn't - I don't like to burn my bridges, but I can see why some might just walk out.

Are your current work likely to agree to a shorter notice? 6 months is really long - are you in a role that has very specialised requirements or where you have access to proprietary information etc? 3 months seems plenty to get everything in order for a handover, and personally I wouldn't want an unhappy leaver hanging around for 3 extra months just for the sake of it….

Grumpy_chap

I have landed a new dream job.

My current employment contract requires 6 months notice. I’ve put notice in, and included a wish to leave earlier. The new job wanted me in 4 weeks. I’ve negotiated this to 3 months.
Would you just leave after the 3 months?

A 6-month notice period would typically suggest an individual in a more senior position and / or specific skill set. For such an individual to just walk out three months into the six-month notice period would generally be viewed as unprofessional and certainly "burning bridges".

For such an individual, even if inconvenient, I would expect the new employer to be willing to wait for the correct individual to take up post rather than have an also-ran in post sooner. If need be, an "interim" might be appointed.

Was it wise to agree the 3-month period with the new employer before the same was agreed with the existing employer?

What discussions have you had with the existing employer about the shorter notice period and what is their flexibility? Are you able to truncate the notice period in all but name by utilising annual leave?

If there is a challenge / conflict here, it seems to be entirely of the OP's own making.

Tabieth

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6676967/working-a-shorter-notice-period

No, I wouldn’t. It’s unprofessional and, as others have said, burns bridges. And it could seriously damage your reputation as these things do tend to get around. I’d negotiate like mad with your current employer while managing expectations with your new one. Given you have six months notice you must be pretty senior? 4-weeks notice really isn’t a reasonable ask and I’d hope / expect they’d be understanding.

Newbie_John

Try to negotiate with current employer to get it down to 3 months, you can always take your holidays after etc.

From the new employer point of view waiting long time is risky as the candidate my not show up.

Generally speaking I wouldn't bother about burning bridges but if something goes wrong with new employer then you may struggle getting new job as the old one could mention it in reference making you look unreliable. But at the same time of salary/ career wise it's a big improvement then it could be worth a risk.

I would definitely focus on chat with your current employer and find a solution of some sort - like even becoming a contractor for the last 3 months and working it out during weekends..

saajan_12

Would you be expected to work the 6 months notice period or take it as gardening leave? Reason is often with these semi senior positions you don't work the notice period, but they want to pay you to have a substantial gap between the two jobs, so you can't manipulate things at the old place and the next day reap the benefits at the new job. That could change how you negotiate it, eg they could save money by cutting your notice short. But then you can't leverage being more helpful if you're not working. When I had this, I offered to be on call for if/when they had questions, (though wasn't allowed to be in the building) which they actually took me up on.

MyRealNameToo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6676967/working-a-shorter-notice-period

Whyd they want you in 4 weeks if they know you have a 6 month notice period? Presumably this is just a nice to have from them rather than a condition of the offer?

If your current employer is only willing to half it then you will have to see if your new employer is willing to wait the 3 months. Its not an unreasonable timeframe to wait for someone outside of a junior role but sometimes there are fires burning and firms cant wait.

A colleague with a 6 month notice period was told before they'd even found a job that the 6 months wouldnt be shortened so took the dangerous decision to resign first and then wait a few months before starting the job hunt as people had been telling her that for middle management employers arent likely to be willing to wait that long

General_Grant

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82079525#Comment_82079525

You have misunderstood the negotiated 3 months. The OP had negotiated the 3 months as a compromise with the potential employer, not the current one. That is why they wondered whether they could walk out from the current job after 3 months.

MyRealNameToo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82079710#Comment_82079710

thanks for clarifying

They could walk away but that will normally mean you get fired for gross misconduct which isnt going to look good when you are next getting references. Your much better off negotiating your notice period and presenting your case in the best possible light… clearly if you are going to a non-competitor then they may be more relaxed, point out who/how the work can be handed over in 3 months etc