Giving Shorter Notice Period When Resigning

LanceVance on 01/11/2023 - 12:10

Hi,

I've accepted a role with a new company and they want me to start in 2 weeks time. Once I signed my contract I gave my notice to my current employer saying I would be finishing in 2 weeks. I did this due to an agreement with the new company but also with the knowledge there is very little work on at the moment so I wouldn't be leaving anyone up the proverbial creek.
While is hasn't happened yet my current employer is sending signals that they're going to be a bit difficult about it, pointing to my employment contract saying I should've given 4 weeks notice but that they will confirm my final date.

I know these instances have happened many times before but have never been through this process myself, can anyone give any advice of what to do should they choose to be very inflexible about it?
Thanks

Education & Work

Comments

      • baskinghobo on 02/11/2023 - 23:07

        If a company is going to see you as a nuisance simply for asking if you can start a bit later because of some minor mistake, then you will have a a lot more bigger problems later working there. As long as you give the new employee adequate notice, it should not be a deal to simply ask them as long as you aren't saying it in a demanding manner.

        • star-ggg on 02/11/2023 - 23:22
          -1

          Not knowing your own notice period is not a minor mistake. OP better have a good lie for why they can't start in 2 weeks after agreeing to do so today.

          • baskinghobo on 02/11/2023 - 23:32

            @star-ggg: 2 weeks is standard so it's not that big of deal to make such an assumption. I suppose if it's for a high paying role then it's not a good look but if that's not the case then I just don't see why most companies would care since it doesn't affect them one bit, they can always say no afterall. If the company is going to see you in bad light after this request, imagine what it will be like to work there.

            • star-ggg on 03/11/2023 - 06:24

              @baskinghobo: Employees and employers who enter into new agreements without checking or respecting their current agreements are both bad to work with. I prefer working with people that have attention to detail and integrity.

  • hasher22 on 02/11/2023 - 22:50

    If your contract state 4 weeks, you stuffed up and you should have read your contract.
    If your contract state 2 weeks then the company can't do anything but to accept the 2 weeks and you're fine.

    If it's 4 weeks, work 2 weeks, QUIT the rest of the 2 weeks. You just won't be paid for those 2 weeks worked as they withheld 2 weeks of pay.
    or
    work 2 weeks then put in 2 weeks sick leave

  • No ONE on 02/11/2023 - 23:08

    Apply for annual leave for the last 2 weeks and then once approved, give your resignation letter.

  • dwarves on 03/11/2023 - 05:23

    I wouldn’t want to work for an employer that didn’t respect my existing notice period. I’d wager that when you want to leave this new employer they’ll forcefully demand you work your full notice period - so unless they’re hypocrites they should be happy for you to work out your four weeks now. (Note: they may well be hypocrites.)

  • Brianqpr on 03/11/2023 - 12:30

    If its in the contract they can enforce it but may choose not to. You should be aware of notice requirements and notify potential new employers. In fact, new employers would/should ask about this as part of the hiring process.

  • spal on 03/11/2023 - 17:34

    Or the OP could say that after reading all the comments on OzB they have had a change of heart. Now they will stay on for two weeks. BTW, can you please approve my two weeks annual leave, to cover for the two weeks that I am working, but I am not working for you.

  • Kelpei on 06/11/2023 - 23:38

    Serving out a notice period is like serving out a prison sentence. I handed in my notice on a Wednesday. But I decided to finish on a Friday which effectively made my notice 3.5 weeks (Felt weird finishing mid week).

  • ddilrat on 07/11/2023 - 13:07

    Two weeks in the scheme of things is f all

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