3 months notice - IT jobs

[JaredVannett]

I've received an offer today from a company for the role of Senior SQL Database Developer.

Having browsed the agreement/terms I noted they have put in a 3-month notice clause.


Sure, that could be considered normal these days but in the fast-paced world of tech, I'm concerned it may put future employers off as tech companies usually want their new recruits to start asap - 3 months could be too long?

If I accept, this will be the longest notice period I've agreed to - I was thinking of getting them to compromise to six weeks.


Any thoughts or experiences are welcome.

[Countdown]

It's normal for senior roles. Also it's not set in concrete - you can normally negotiate it downwards (nobody wants to employ somebody who would rather not be there). And finally any prospective new Employer will normally be aware that people are on 3 month contracts and will be willing to wait for the right person.

[i4got]

And it may end up giving you 3 months gardening leave.

[towser44]

I've got a 3 month notice period in Financial Services and I'm not in a Senior role or one where I could do any damage etc (they're making me work the full period too :-(

[eliot]

3months is common. Employers will wait that for the right person

[Abdul Abulbul Amir]

And they work both ways. Earlier this year I was made redundant from a job 2 weeks after completing my probation period and moving from one month to three months notice. Very nice

[JaredVannett]

nice one chaps - thank you!

[a_dreamer]

Yep. I work for a big tech firm. Its common practice. Doesn't put us off when we recruit and it's in the majority of our contracts.

[98elise]

Echo the above. When I was an FTE I had a 3 month notice period, as did everyone else in a senior IT role.

[mikef]

It means that relational databases will be a thing for at least a month longer than I was expecting



(Only joking, I worked for years in Redwood Shores)

[JaredVannett]

mikef said:

It means that relational databases will be a thing for at least a month longer than I was expecting



(Only joking, I worked for years in Redwood Shores)

very good!

[towser44]

Abdul Abulbul Amir said:

And they work both ways. Earlier this year I was made redundant from a job 2 weeks after completing my probation period and moving from one month to three months notice. Very nice

Mine doesn't. I have to give 3 months notice, they only have to give me 1 month.

[98elise]

towser44 said:

Abdul Abulbul Amir said:

And they work both ways. Earlier this year I was made redundant from a job 2 weeks after completing my probation period and moving from one month to three months notice. Very nice

Mine doesn't. I have to give 3 months notice, they only have to give me 1 month.

That's a bit st. When it works both ways it can be a benefit. We went through multiple rounds of redundancies and anyone that was at risk was sent on gardening leave. Once they were confirmed they continued to be paid for 3 months. That's a nice buffer to find another job.

[Aunty Pasty]

I'm on 3 months notice and if / when I leave I'll hope to be able to negotiate it down by a few weeks.

[eliot]

towser44 said:

Mine doesn't. I have to give 3 months notice, they only have to give me 1 month.

That’s a fuxx you - never come across that before

[Abdul Abulbul Amir]

towser44 said:

Abdul Abulbul Amir said:

And they work both ways. Earlier this year I was made redundant from a job 2 weeks after completing my probation period and moving from one month to three months notice. Very nice

Mine doesn't. I have to give 3 months notice, they only have to give me 1 month.

not sure why you signed that then.

[selwonk]

Seemingly not unusual but I'd not agree to it in my contract if it was offered. Currently working my 6 month notice (also IT) which is quite tough. I'm looking to set up on my own but have been offered a new role and even the six months didn't appear to put them off.

[Ynox]

Worth negotiating - I had a 3 month notice a few years ago (back to a month now). I was able to get the company to agree to 2 months, even though I was moving to a competitor.

[DanL]

As has been said, three months is common for more senior roles, and as a result anyone else will be prepared (and expect) to wait if they want you in future. It’s also good in case of redundancy, given that you won’t have built up any service to count towards a pay out.

If you want to leave in a hurry you can always request a shorter exit period at that point in time. Just remember that they don’t have to say yes, so you’ll need to be prepared to work a three month notice if it comes to it.

[fourstardan]

I am in FS and had 3 months, and held to it. Seemed pointless as I did nothing the last 6-8 weeks.

I think the issue is its recruitment in circles of industry. "Management" get snotty about who they employ and want industry experience.