Long notice periods...

Long notice periods...

Author
Discussion

pejay

Original Poster:

245 posts

184 months

Thursday 2nd April 2009
quotequote all
Apologies for what could turn out to be quite a boring thread but...

I started a new job back in September and my original contract stated 1 month notice period.

Over the last couple of weeks there have been quite a few redundancies here and thankfully I seem to have survived. I was approached today by my boss asking if I'd consider upping my notice period to 3 months. Apparently this has only been offered to a select few people and it's all very hush-hush. I'm the only person I know in my team that's being offered it.


As far as I can see, the benefit is that if they choose to make me redundant in the future I get 3 months notice to find a new job. The downside obviously being if I ever got bored and wanted to find a new job 3 months is an awfully long time.


So would you take it?

Is there any way to get out of it in the future if I want to leave?

Jeux

1,170 posts

266 months

Thursday 2nd April 2009
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standard 3 month notice period for higher level employees here too..

parakitaMol.

11,876 posts

252 months

Thursday 2nd April 2009
quotequote all
Yes. Mine is 3 months.

We've just made 4 people redundant, one has used his entire 3 month period and still not found anything to go to.

Most employers expect this at a certain level so it's fine. Plus if you work in an organisation where there is sensitive competitive info this period is often spent at home on gardening leave. I think my OH has 6 months notice!

roboxm3

2,420 posts

196 months

Thursday 2nd April 2009
quotequote all
Depends on how secure your job / the industry in which you work is!

To me it sounds like 3 months guaranteed mortgage payments vs 3 months guaranteed mortgage payments...


Puggit

48,530 posts

249 months

Thursday 2nd April 2009
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In the current climate - it's a good offer. Makes you far more expensive to make redundant.

krisdelta

4,566 posts

202 months

Thursday 2nd April 2009
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Unless your job is driving you nuts, then it's good protection in the current climate (for you and them). As previously mentioned - 3 months is pretty standard once you get to a certain level in many companies.

Lemoncurd

175 posts

218 months

Thursday 2nd April 2009
quotequote all
pejay said:
Apparently this has only been offered to a select few people and it's all very hush-hush. I'm the only person I know in my team that's being offered it.
So I decided to post this information on a public internet forum ;-)

In answer to your question though, when my notice period increased a while back I took a similar view to yourself in that it gives more security if I am made redundant. Yes, the flipside is also true but IMO that is a pretty negative way to look at things.

Grey Ghost

4,583 posts

221 months

Thursday 2nd April 2009
quotequote all
I would take the offer in the current environment.

Road2Ruin

5,279 posts

217 months

Thursday 2nd April 2009
quotequote all
pejay said:
Apologies for what could turn out to be quite a boring thread but...

I started a new job back in September and my original contract stated 1 month notice period.

Over the last couple of weeks there have been quite a few redundancies here and thankfully I seem to have survived. I was approached today by my boss asking if I'd consider upping my notice period to 3 months. Apparently this has only been offered to a select few people and it's all very hush-hush. I'm the only person I know in my team that's being offered it.


As far as I can see, the benefit is that if they choose to make me redundant in the future I get 3 months notice to find a new job. The downside obviously being if I ever got bored and wanted to find a new job 3 months is an awfully long time.


So would you take it?

Is there any way to get out of it in the future if I want to leave?
Take it. If you do want to leave for a new job then do. What are they going to do sue you?! I doubt it.

Romanymagic

3,298 posts

220 months

Thursday 2nd April 2009
quotequote all
Grey Ghost said:
I would take the offer in the current environment.
yes

theboyfold

10,932 posts

227 months

Thursday 2nd April 2009
quotequote all
I've always had the same, on one hand they promise to pay you for 3 months, on the other it means you could get bored waiting to leave. Some companies will put people on gardening leave if they resign.

winshent

1,170 posts

196 months

Thursday 2nd April 2009
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be cheeky and try and get a pay rise thrown in as well..

f13ldy

1,432 posts

202 months

Thursday 2nd April 2009
quotequote all
My Mrs has a 3 month period.

The joys of back office management.

AndyAudi

3,066 posts

223 months

Thursday 2nd April 2009
quotequote all
Don't think they can really hold you for three months so it is only in your benefit.
(I used to be on 3mths at my last co and my HR Dept told me that)

eta I was told that as I asked for more money when they were changing my contract to make up for the potential restriction should I decide to leave

Edited by AndyAudi on Thursday 2nd April 13:27

ln1234

848 posts

199 months

Thursday 2nd April 2009
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3 months here too

parakitaMol.

11,876 posts

252 months

Thursday 2nd April 2009
quotequote all
AndyAudi said:
Don't think they can really hold you for three months so it is only in your benefit.
Of course they can! that's the point, to protect themselves in the event of someone leaving it gives them time to find a replacement and organise handover or gap cover.

For the employee it gives security - and it generally does not put off new employers as it's pretty standard at Manager + level.

JJCW

2,449 posts

187 months

Thursday 2nd April 2009
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I'd take it - at the moment security is nice yes

DamoLLb

1,775 posts

196 months

Thursday 2nd April 2009
quotequote all
Puggit said:
In the current climate - it's a good offer. Makes you far more expensive to make redundant.
yes

G'kar

3,728 posts

187 months

Thursday 2nd April 2009
quotequote all
Even better if you can negotiate 3/1.


mouseymousey

2,641 posts

238 months

Thursday 2nd April 2009
quotequote all
I've known a lot of people on 3 months notice (myself included) and not once have any of them been held to it when leaving.

I guess it comes down to each individual employer but I think some take the view that unless they are really busy then holding someone who doesn't want to be there for 3 months can be counter productive.

I'd take a 3 month notice period every time.