Notice period without a contract?

[Mully79]

Hi there

I've finally found a great job I want to apply for, however on their application form they have asked what my notice period is. I have never, ever been given a written contract (despite requesting numerous times), I've never had a verbal discussion about notice periods, so I have no idea what I should put there.

I have worked at my current employers for almost 5 years (started April 2004), is there a legally binding minimum? I was going to write 4 weeks unless there was some lawful reason it should be longer.

[buildersmate]

You do have a contract of employment - in the absence of anything agreed to the contrary, statutory law takes over.
This says 4 weeks notice in your situation - 1 week for each completed year of service up to 12 weeks maximum (at 12 years service). So 4 weeks is coincidentally correct.

[Mully79]

Thankyou Buildersmate, I shall write that down. I thought 4 weeks sounded about right, as much as I despise my job at present I wouldn't dream of leaving them in the cr@p at short notice - just as I wouldn't like someone to do that to me :o)