3 months notice period for my current job...

Neil&Angela

I'm in contention for a job in NZ but after talking to my prospective employer, he wants the successful candidate to start sooner rather than later.

This could prove a problem as I'm on 3 months notice for my current employer.

I don't want to be rash and hand in my notice before I get the job in NZ + accompanying visa BUT i also don't want to miss out on the job offer in NZ! Hmmm

So, if I do get the job and then hand in my notice here but say "I've got to leave in 4 weeks", does anyone know what my current employer can do about it? Am i in trouble?? Could i get the sack for breach of contract or have some money witheld or risk part of my pension over this or something?!?! Confused

?!!?

I think they would be ok about it, maybe annoyed a little bit, so if anyone could help me out it would be much appreciated.

Neil.

foolsgold99 · Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2004 11:41 pm Post subject: Notice

Your employer could take out an injuction to prevent you working for another company during your notice period. however if your going to be working outside the jurisiction of your local (english ?) courts then too bad.

Most likely turn of events that they will not pay you your last months wages, and will give you a bad reference.

As a employer I'd never want to take on someone who would walk out and not honor a notice period. Sure it may be convenient for me in the short term, but it'd give me no confidence that they'd honor a contract for me.

If they want you, and the job is right they'll wait. If they wouldn't wait then they're not the kind of people I'd want to work for anyway.

michelle · Posted: Sat Aug 21, 2004 12:43 am Post subject:

Neil

You will come up against this kind of problem again and again. A 3 month notice period is unheard of in NZ and my husband lost a good job as a result of it. Basically he was offered a job and was in the same dilema as you, should he just leave or do the decent thing and honour his notice.

He didn't take the job so lost out on that opportunity. Shortly after he went to his employers and told them that he was intending to leave and that asked if he could go before his 3 month notice period if necessary. They have been fantastic, said they appreciated why he was leaving and if possible they would let him go earlier. As it turns out he has left 2 weeks early

Its a real dilema but as foolsgold said you will never get a decent reference and what sort of an employer would encourage someone to just walk out on a job.

We are now going out without Richard having a job but he has a good reference plus they have said they will re employ him if things go pear shaped and we have to come home.

The job offer shows there is work there for you so I would be tempted to stick it out.

Michelle

NickH · Posted: Sat Aug 21, 2004 1:00 am Post subject:

Neil -

As an employer, I too take a 'two-way street' view. I guess you would be (rightly) angry with your employer if he sacked you without the agreed notice. I guess you'd even be talking tribunals etc? So, I'd say live with it.

On the other hand - - if you are going anyway, talk to your boss and explain the situation, saying that you will willingly work out your notice, but if there was any convenience for HIM in you going earlier, would he consider it?

Sounds a bit grovelly I know, but a contract's a contract.

Good luck whatever happens

Nick

markkellaway · Posted: Sat Aug 21, 2004 3:02 am Post subject:

I'd agree with Nick on this one. Talk to your employer and let them know your intention. as an employer I would rather let someone go after a month of productive work than 3 months of unproductive work, which is what will happen if you are cheeded off.

I too have a 3 month contract but I'm quite sure my employer will let me go sooner as I've been up front with them about my intention to emigrate since we decided it was what we wanted to do.

Mark.

real_sunfire · Testing The Water Joined: 10 Aug 2004 Posts: 2

Hi Neil,

I was a similar position with betweeen my last and current job. As I was was
working for a Unversity I was expected to give 3 months notice. Luckily I was
able to reduce this down to about 6 weeks. by chating to my boss and doing
a bit pleading. :)

If you have a good relationship with your line manager hopefully you shouldn't
had too many problems reducing the notice period, particular if you say you
are moving to NZ. *:)

Best of luck - keep us informed on how you get on.

Rgds.,
Nick.

Azazel · I Like It Here Joined: 08 Jan 2004 Posts: 64

If you have a good relationship with your manager I would expect they would be decent about it and realise that you're not leaving because just for another job, you're leaving for a whole new life.

Then again if your line managers not very nice, I would either speak to personnel and explain or check your terms of employment.
For example, where I work if you leave for another company thats in the same market they pack you off that second ...

Also, 3 months notice is a lot.
I know where I work is stuck now, they've messed me about with my job description for ages, but now the position I'm in they actually realise it would be bad for them if I only worked 1 months notice they will want to extend to 3 months.
Can't do that without both sides agreeing.
So what I'm saying is, did you join on 1 months notice and have they extended to 3 months without your permission?