Leaving work without notice

[prisoner]

If, for personal reasons, you have to leave a job without giving the customary one month's notice, what are the various consequences which might ensue ?

[Miss Zippy]

If you leave your employment without providing your employer with the relevant notice as required under your contract of employment, then you are in breach of your contract. (Have you checked your contract to see what your notice period is?) I would say it largely depends on the nature of you role as to whether an employer would go to the trouble and expense of taking any action against you. If you hold a senior position and your leaving abruptly would leave your employer in a difficult position (eg, loss of reputation/loss of goodwill/loss of clients) they might take action against for you their losses (not only losses to the business but expenses incurred in, for instance, hiring a locum at short notice and at a higher salary). If, on the other hand, you hold a more junior position which could be temporarily covered by colleagues if you left without notice, an employer would be unlikely to take any action (unless they are particularly vindictive, but only you would know that). It always pays to try and leave on a good note though so if it really is necessary for you to leave without notice, have a chat with your boss first to explain the situation. They may not like what you are doing but at least they might understand why.

[mosesg]

You could be done for breach of contract, but it depends on what sort of personal circumstances and how understanding they are or whether they would be glad to see you go. One of my friends went off her work with stress and got so fedd up with her boss constantly phoning her that her husband phoned them and told them to stop hassling her and that she wasn't coming back and she was ok

[Catso]

On a more realistic/practical level:

You are unlikely to get a reference. Many employers insist that a reference be from your last line manager. So if you can't get that, they may well refuse you employment.

You may lose some money if they decide to keep it in lieu of notice period EG outstanding holiday pay.

Don't forget to return any things you shouldn't be keeping.

[Nosy Rosy]

Throw a 'sickie'...

[Dizzieblonde]

Not sure what your personal reasons are, but if it's illness, if your G.P. will sign you a sick note for a month, you could always hand your notice in then? It won't look very good in terms of future references, but it depends how desperate you are to get out, I suppose?