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

[dansey]

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?

[joannie10]

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.

[buildersmate]

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'.

[Catso]

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!

[Drisgirl]

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.