Is working your notice compulsory?

[moleamol]

I currently work somewhere and since being moved to a different part of the office. I'm surrounded by people who act like children all day, don't do any work and gossip and snipe like 11 year olds. It's utter hell. Do I really have to work my notice or is there a way out?

[Countdown]

Have a word with your boss and see if you can mutually agree something. He won't want you there if you;re seriously unhappy, equally he won't agree to something that will cause the company (and him) problems.

Depending on how bad it is - you could just go on sick leave. It may be unprofessional and not something I would recommend, however I have known people with complete a-holes for bosses where it was making them physically sick going into work.

Good luck

ETA - that sounds like a normal office to me.

Edited by Countdown on Friday 10th December 14:19

[Gargamel]

If that's your contract then yes it is. However there is no upside for the company to pursue it. The most they will get is not paying you for your notice period so they *almost* certainly won't bother. Unless you go to a direct competitor in which case they may enforce your notice period but with you at home
Speak to your boss first or just move back

[Munter]

Ultimately nobody can force you to do work (legally). They can however refuse to pay you if you don't when you said you would....along with other downsides like references.

[Simon Brooks]

assuming you have a contract of employment this should have details of any notice period required. as mentioned earlier they would struggle to stop you leaving, however you would waive any rights to be being paid until the end of the notice period if you walked out. it may also queer your chances of getting a reasonable reference

[Simond S]

moleamol said:

I currently work somewhere and since being moved to a different part of the office. I'm surrounded by people who act like children all day, don't do any work and gossip and snipe like 11 year olds. It's utter hell. Do I really have to work my notice or is there a way out?

Schools break up in a couple of weeeks. Cant you last out till then and go back in Jan

[moleamol]

Simon Brooks said:

assuming you have a contract of employment this should have details of any notice period required. as mentioned earlier they would struggle to stop you leaving, however you would waive any rights to be being paid until the end of the notice period if you walked out. it may also queer your chances of getting a reasonable reference

Well I would only do it if I have another job to walk into that I don't need a reference for...

[GeraldSmith]

You have a contract with your employer, even if it's not written, and in that contract is an expectation of some notice if you want to terminate it. Legally you could be held responsible for costs incurred by your employer if you breach it. So, for example, it is possible for them to pursue you for the cost of hiring a temp to cover the rest of your notice period, it's unlikely that they will though.

But it is always best to leave on amicable terms, you may need a reference, someone from your current employer may turn up at a future employer, who knows - you may even want a job back there at some stage.

[Simon Brooks]

as an employer i would always take the time and effort to take up references even it was a done deal, trust me leaving a place of work on bad terms has a habit of coming back to bite you on the arse, the world of employment is a small place sometimes !!