How Much Notice Do I Have To Give My Employer? When you’re leaving a role, it can be difficult to know what your required notice period is.
Legally, as long as you’ve been working for your employer for longer than one month, you have to give a minimum of 1 week’s notice.
However, employers will usually set out a specific notice period in your employment contract, so it’s worth checking that to see what’s expected of you.
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How Much Notice To Give Employer
Certain industries and roles will require a longer notice period (usually 3 months but sometimes even longer). This is usually the case if the hiring process is time consuming and the skill level in the role is particularly high.
For example, it’s common practice in many healthcare jobs and high level executive roles that a 3 month notice period is required, and sometimes it can be even longer (6 months or even a year).
However, the most common notice period is 1 month, which is standard practice for many businesses in the UK. That’s because it allows the employer time to begin the recruitment process and hire someone without too much of a crossover in terms of there being nobody in the role.
And it allows them to retain your services for a month to complete certain tasks, projects, and ongoing work.
However, if you want to leave sooner than your notice period, for example in two weeks time rather than in one month, then there are ways of doing this.
The easiest way is to speak to your employer and ask if they’ll reduce your notice period.
If you reassure them that you’ll complete all outstanding work, then they may be amenable to your request. There’s also the possibility that you could use any outstanding annual leave to reduce your notice period.
But your employer doesn’t have to accept your request, so it’s worth bearing that in mind if you’re considering attempting to reduce your notice period.
Legally, if you then left earlier than your notice period, you could be liable for legal action from your employer if they incurred any costs due to your early exit, particularly if they had to hire agency or temporary workers to cover for your absence before replacing you permanently.
How Should I Give Notice To My Employer?
It’s considered best practice to give your employer notice in writing, whether that’s in a letter given personally or via email.
It may be wise if you’re handing over a letter in person to follow up with an email confirming your resignation so that you’ve got digital confirmation that it’s been sent and they’ve received it.
You should inform your employer how much notice you’re giving and when you expect your final day of employment to be, so they can plan for your absence and sort out any legal and tax requirements accurately.
If you wish to give more notice than your contract requires, you’re perfectly entitled to do so. In fact, your employer has no legal right to make you leave any earlier, and if they do, this could be classed as unfair dismissal and you may have a right to compensation via an employment tribunal or settlement agreement.
Crucially, your notice period begins the day AFTER you hand your official resignation/notice in, meaning that if you give notice on the first Monday of the month, your final day with them will be the first Monday of the following month.
Employment Solicitors Near Me
If you need any help, advice, or assistance with issues relating to notice periods, resignations, unfair dismissal, or any other employment issues, we’re here to help.
At Solicitors Near Me, we connect you with expert employment solicitors near to where you live for FREE.
Yep, there’s no obligation to proceed with them when we connect, so the ball’s in your court and you can decide if you wish to use their services or not.
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