Notice periods

[illmonkey]

You'd need to sign a new contract.

[boobles]

We had a simular thing here where they were offering 6 months notice to us, but in return we also had to give 6 months notice.
I declined the offer.

[fergywales]

You say mid April, is it at least 4 weeks from today?

As for the change, if it is both ways, is there something stopping you accepting it?

The change can form part of your contract if, the employer provides notice of the change, and gives the full notice period for it to come into effect, and you do not raise any objection. If you have an issue with it, raise it now. The employer cannot use as a reason for the change that they are changing everyone to 12wks from 4wks notice, employment contracts are enforced individually, and you have the right to negotiate your terms with them.

[purplepolarbear]

I suggest (assuming you're otherwise happy there) you don't reply.

If they at some point want to get rid of you, show them the email and insist on 12 weeks if they argue otherwise.

If you want to leave, give "4 weeks notice as required by my contract". If they insist on 12 weeks show them the original contract. If you haven't acknowleged the email it will be hard for them to argue.

[Flibble]

purplepolarbear said:

I suggest (assuming you're otherwise happy there) you don't reply.

If they at some point want to get rid of you, show them the email and insist on 12 weeks if they argue otherwise.

If you want to leave, give "4 weeks notice as required by my contract". If they insist on 12 weeks show them the original contract. If you haven't acknowleged the email it will be hard for them to argue.

Not true unfortunately:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/E...

direct.gov.uk said:

If you carry on working without taking action it may count as acceptance of the new terms (even if you haven't signed anything), so you'll need to make your objections clear.

[john_p]

How long have you worked there?

[john_p]

They can't just change T&C's if you don't agree, but they could dismiss you or make you redundant. They could offer you the job under the new terms.

The dismissal would probably be treated as unfair leaving them open to a tribunal - it depends on whether the notice period counts as a significant change,

Don't work under the new terms without raising an protest in writing, or you will be deemed to have accepted them.

http://www.acas.org.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=316&am...

[dave9]

why wouldn't you want a longer notice period?

[softtop]

dave9 said:

why wouldn't you want a longer notice period?

You must be a real union man who complains whenever anything good happens to you.(they do this because anything mgt does has got to be challenged) When was the last time you heard of someone being dragged into work when they didn't want to go, especially if they had handed their notice in...

[Rydal]

Flibble said:

purplepolarbear said:

I suggest (assuming you're otherwise happy there) you don't reply.

If they at some point want to get rid of you, show them the email and insist on 12 weeks if they argue otherwise.

If you want to leave, give "4 weeks notice as required by my contract". If they insist on 12 weeks show them the original contract. If you haven't acknowleged the email it will be hard for them to argue.

Not true unfortunately:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/E...

direct.gov.uk said:

If you carry on working without taking action it may count as acceptance of the new terms (even if you haven't signed anything), so you'll need to make your objections clear.

Whilst it is undoubtedly preferable to make your objections clear the situation isn't quite as simple as implied above. Provided the variation does not have an immediate impact on you such as a change in your pay, duties or place of work, it will actually be very difficult to show implied acceptance through non-objection.