Handing in my notice and notice period question

[simonej]

I've recently accepted a new job and providing the contract looks OK when I receive it next week I will obviously have to hand my notice in with my current employer. I have two questions though;

I live a couple of hours away from 'base' and very rarely go in (maybe once a month) due to the distance. With this in mind, would the best course of action be to do it over the phone or drive in and do it in person? I'm inclined to think that the decent thing would be to do it in person and take along my written letter.

Second question. Currently we're not that busy and at the moment there are 2 people available to cover one role. My feeling is that they may simply ask me to finish then and there without working out my notice period (1 month). Are they able to do this? I can understand why they would want to do that but I really don't want to be sat around not being paid for a month!

I'd like to think that I've been an asset to the company over the past few years (didn't take any holiday last year to cut costs for them!) and have always got on well with them. I'd therefore like to keep it all on good terms.

[softtop]

First point. Does your boss go in the office, if so I would drive over. If not send the note by email and then phone them immediately to say you have sent it and agree to meet.

second point. Your letter is not a letter to resign on the day, the letter will state that it is your intention to leave at the end of your notice period. You are willing to work your notice and it is up to them if they want you to do garden leave.

Edited by softtop on Saturday 15th January 10:53

[Firefoot]

Make sure you give a months notice on the letter, then even if they do tell you that you don't need to work your notice, they must still pay you for it.

[simonej]

softtop said:

First point. Does your boss go in the office, if so I would drive over. If not send the nore by email and then phone them immediately to say you have sent it and agree to meet.

Yes he does, he's there everyday and I did think it would be better to do it face to face. I intend to offer some of my services in the future so I want to keep everything on good terms.

Firefoot said:

Make sure you give a months notice on the letter, then even if they do tell you that you don't need to work your notice, they must still pay you for it.

Excellent, that answers my question. I have no problem working out the month but didn't really want to go a month without a wage.

Cheers for the answers fellas. Fingers crossed the new contract looks good and it all works out nicely.