Notice period in senior role

[bmwmike]

3 month notice period is excruciating if they make you work it. My last place did. It was horrible. Can't imagine 6m+.

[mandos_01]

In the 2nd week of my 3 month notice, the new job seems a long way away!

3 months notice was generally expected and definitely not an issue with the recruiters/employers that I spoke to

[DRFC1879]

3 months is standard in my industry too (grocery supply). It's pretty normal to negotiate 2-4 weeks off that though. I did nine weeks at my last place as it was better for all parties to have me reasonably motivated for that time.

[PorkRind]

I'm just a SAP Pi developer and they wanted 3 months out of me, bit of a joke really, but i guess as theres not too many roles out there it might make sense. They ended up outsourcing it to TCS in the end !

[anonymous-user]

Pretty standard but ime its pretty easy to negotiate an earlier exit. Last time I was on 3 months I negotiated it down to 5 weeks.

[shep1001]

Mine is 6 months, it was 4. Reason for the change is so they can get away with a none compete clause that runs concurrently with my notice. I can't plead hardship if I get to sit at home on full bubble for 6 months.

[Gad-Westy]

My last job was 3 months. Engineering Manager. When I was offered my current job, my new employers had a right moan about how unreasonable my 3 month notice period was but it didn't stop me getting the job. Guess what the notice period is on the contract they offered me!

FWIW, I negotiated my 3 months down to 2 months with my old employer. I don't imagine there are all that many circumstances where it suits anyone to be hanging on that long.

[sgtBerbatov]

I've never had to give more than 4 weeks notice, and I've been in a senior position in a few places, albeit small places.

The wife, however, is a qualified solicitor and has to give 3 months, with a month added for each promotion she gets.

Statute states it's 4 weeks over 2 years service, 1 week under it. The company, I think, can give whatever time period they like if it's in a contract, as statute doesn't override the contract in this instance.

[wilksy61]

Until the end of this month mine is currently at 3 years on both sides, as the business (was) is for sale. No buyer yet so I'm going to renegotiate a 3 month period on both sides.

I'm now actively seeking new employment as I can't see the business being sold and ultimately the owners will what to get their money out and retire, they own the land et all.

[Moonhawk]

I have never come across a job at manager level or above that hasn't had a notice period of at least 3 months.

I have been on 3 month notice periods even for mid level roles (below manager). Last job I had was 3 months - and I had to worked right up to the last day - bar a couple of holidays I still had owing.

[BigMon]

My wife is a partner in a reasonably sized firm of accountants and leaves today after having worked every day of a six month notice period.

In my last two managerial roles I've had a three month notice period. When I left my last job they let me go after around a month, but my predecessor here worked his full notice period.

[monoloco]

Three months is pretty normal for a senior role but I'd expect it to be mirrored on each side.

However, after 25 years in the recruitment business I've only ever seen about four people held to a full three months. Things normally get wound up by mutual agreement after about 7-9 weeks as even the most dedicated, professional and ethical employee is going to struggle to keep motivated beyond that and its not in the employers interest to keep them on when their heart is elsewhere -risk is they demotivate their colleagues etc.

Also, ultimately it would be very hard or pointless for the employer to enforce it and if they did try you can always do what one guy I found a new job for did...-when the old company tried to force him to stay for three months he simply gave up washing after the first month -they let him go after another week!

[Moonhawk]

monoloco said:

.....when the old company tried to force him to stay for three months he simply gave up washing after the first month -they let him go after another week!

In some companies I have worked for - this would be considered breach of contract. Maintaining good personal hygiene was a specific line item in your employment contract/terms of employment.

[crofty1984]

snotrag said:

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

3 months each way in my place (unfortunately!)

[wiggy001]

Until recently I was a Senior Consultant on 3 months. I've recently started a new permie tech role for a Law firm and they took me on knowing that I had a 3 month notice period. If a company wants you then 3 months isn't so bad.

Being a small company you may also be able to negotiate an earlier release if it were ever needed.

The only bit I don't agree with is 30 days notice on the employer's side - I've never known the terms to be anything but identical on each side and wouldn't accept a 90/30 contract.

[Countdown]

Moonhawk said:

monoloco said:

.....when the old company tried to force him to stay for three months he simply gave up washing after the first month -they let him go after another week!

In some companies I have worked for - this would be considered breach of contract. Maintaining good personal hygiene was a specific line item in your employment contract/terms of employment.

So what would they do if you were “in breach of contract”.... sack you? (Which I’m guessing was what Monoloco’s colleague was hoping for )

[toon10]

Again, 3 months is normal. I went from 1 month as a developer and various other IT roles before getting hit with a 3 month period once I became the IT Manager. It protects the company as they will need to source a suitable candidate should I leave and there will be a lot to hand over. In theory, I presume it also gives me protection should they want rid of me. 3 months income.

I've spoken to a few recruiters as I'm desperately trying to get out of here before I have a mental breakdown and they have said 3 months is normal at this level and employers know and expect that when recruiting. The only downside is that if you're going for a job and there are similar candidates who can start right away or in a month's time then they may prefer that than hire someone who can't start for longer.

[Countdown]

It gives the Employee a reasonable amount of protection, less so for the Employer in my opinion.

If somebody is in a key role and really wants to leave the Employer is somewhat over a barrel. An unhappy employee can cause a great deal of damage, either deliberately or through lack of care. That's why so many senior roles put people on gardening leave instead.