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Do I have to work my notice when leaving a job?

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dansey | 23:35 Wed 14th Jun 2006 | Jobs & Education
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My contract states that I am on a 3 months notice period. Can I leave before this period as I need to start my new job asap?

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you can leave but you might miss out on any monies due, holidays etc and could not turn to that company for references in the future. I have never heard of anyone being chased for monies owed or anything due to not working their notice though.
Technically you would be in breach of your employment contract and could be sued by your employer but in reality it rarely happens - there is little for an employer to gain by doing this. You perhaps need to weigh up the likelihood of wanting a reference out of this organisation in the future. The best way out of it is to come clean and have a conversation with your existing employer along the lines of 'Look, I've decided to leave, it isn't helping either of us for you to hold me here for 3 months, can we agree a mutually-convenient date of less than 3 months for me to leave'.

I would agree with buildersmate - if you ask nicely, they will probably agree to reduce your notice period. 3 months is quite a long one.


Though it does depend on what type of job you're doing. EG if you're indispensable and/or have to train your replacement, you shouldn't expect to be released in a week!

I agree - if the boot was on the other foot you would expect 3 months notice or at least pay in lieu of notice.


If you T them off then dont expect a great ref in the future and to be honest if I were your new employer and potentially was aware that you had to gibe 3 months notice - but didnt - then I would have my doubts about your loyalty.Sorry - thats the way the cookie crumbles.I have worked as a manager in a major corporation and the refs we either requested for similar or sent were almost 100% one sentence.Its common in business - a few words say a lot.

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