Notice period in senior role

[fly]

I got a job as IT Director / CTO at a small-ish (15 employees) company a few months ago. Previously I've always worked as a software developer, and even as a senior developer my notice period was never more than 4 weeks.

Everyone has just had contracts written up, as some of the more junior staff weren't happy working without them... The only issue I have with my contract is that my notice period is 90 days.

Before I complain... Is this standard for senior roles? I appreciate that I'm involved in pretty much every aspect of the business and they'd find it hard to replace me at short notice... But how could I ever get another job? Nobody's going to wait 3 months to take me on...

Also the notice period for terminating my employment is 30 days, which seems pretty cheeky... Surely it has to work both ways, if it's 90 days for me it should be 90 for them?

[anonymous-user]

90 days is fairly normal for a senior role, but in the past I have always asked for a reciprocal notice the other way. Or if they wouldn't do that then insisted on 30.

They may squirm but at the end of the day its easier to keep everyone happy.than ps off a senior.member

[snotrag]

I'm far from senior and have had 3 month notices period at my current and previous role. It's common now I think.

[davepoth]

Pretty normal IME (of other people!).

If you fk up really bad you can still be out of the door same day though.

[Monkeylegend]

Mine was 3 months each way which I think is fair.

If you are the right person any future employer worth their salt would accept that, and you can always negotiate to leave sooner if you do get an offer. A lot of companies wouldn't want a Senior person sitting around for 90 days when they are keen to leave anyway.

You don't have to sign it of course but it could come back to bite you, and in the first 2 years they can do more or less what they want.

[SydneyBridge]

I have a legal job and it's normal and expected when you go for interviews

[Hughesie]

Mines 6 months and have heard of 24 month notice periods as well

[HiAsAKite]

3 month notice periods for non junior roles at our place (IT) are the norm, directors 6 month notice....

[98elise]

My last permanent job was as a Senior BA. I had 3 months notice.

It seemed fairly standard for anyone that could not be replaced easily/quickly.

[Muzzer79]

3 months is totally normal from mid management upwards

As a director, I’d expect you to be on 6 months notice

It should work both ways thought, so I’d query hat.

If you go for another job at the same level, the above notice periods are accepted as the norm so they should wait for you

[HannsG]

Six months to a year. This is for Directors and above.

I have had to serve 3 months a few times. Now that I contract, I love the 1 week notice period!!!! Even had my contract extension due to the guy filling my role having to do three months internally.

Ended up costing them more!!

[Laura-x]

Although I work in a University and not a small company, all management/senior roles for the Universities I have worked for are 3 months notice.

[PHlL]

My employer is a 3 month for senior managers (not sure on directors) PLUS an additional week for every year of service up to a maximum of 6 months.

In addition to that, there is a further clause of being unable to work for a competitor within 12 months due to the nature of work.

[Jasandjules]

Three months is not unusual for "average" positions let alone more senior ones. And will most likely be Garden Leave as well.

[Countdown]

fly said:

I got a job as IT Director / CTO at a small-ish (15 employees) company a few months ago. Previously I've always worked as a software developer, and even as a senior developer my notice period was never more than 4 weeks.

Everyone has just had contracts written up, as some of the more junior staff weren't happy working without them... The only issue I have with my contract is that my notice period is 90 days.

Before I complain... Is this standard for senior roles? I appreciate that I'm involved in pretty much every aspect of the business and they'd find it hard to replace me at short notice... But how could I ever get another job? Nobody's going to wait 3 months to take me on...

Also the notice period for terminating my employment is 30 days, which seems pretty cheeky... Surely it has to work both ways, if it's 90 days for me it should be 90 for them?

3 months is normal, and usually both ways.

However (IME) if you need to go sooner most decent employers will let you. And a lot of places either CBA to enforce it or it isn't worth their while. Nobody wants somebody in post if they really don't want to be there.

[Vaud]

3 months in both directions is normal in my experience. Should not be asymmetric.

[Sir Bagalot]

Not wishing to put you down in any way, but a firm of 15 employees doesn't need a Director of IT.

For any IT Manager role or above, or Senior Developer and above, then yes I'd expect 3 months notice, but that would be three months either side. I've only worked for one firm that had different notice periods on each side, and they were a bunch of s

[Drumroll]

Just working my 3 month notice period.

[Robertj21a]

Three months on both sides at Director level - often six months.

[K50 DEL]

IT Manager for a community interest company involved with young people and education here... 3 months for me as well
Oil and Gas before that with 6 months notice expected in either direction.