Work Notice

[indieanna86]

Hi All,

Is it acceptable to give 6-8 weeks leaving notice rather than the 4 weeks I have to give?
I absolutely loathe my job and get very stressed about it. Today was just horrible and a couple of times I had to take myself off to the loos for a bit of a cry. I think it's just silly to be so unhappy in a job that it makes you cry, so I have to do something about it.

I want to hand my notice in on Monday, but give a long notice so I can concentrate on finding something I'll enjoy, rather than going for the first job offered to me. My manager is aware that the job I'm in isn't my cup of tea and once asked me to give them the heads up if I seriously started looking for something else...

Do you think this is a good idea?

Anna x

[factor-fiction]

But if you loathe it why drag it out? Anyway your employer could well insist you stay only 4 weeks (less any holidays you have left) - some employers don't think it's healthy to have people hanging around waiting to leave as it can affect morale and leavers pose certain risks.
Worth asking though- or just hang on a couple of weeks before telling them.
Good luck

[buildersmate]

Yes it is acceptable but, like Factor30, I don't see the point in doing it.
Start your new job search today - at least that makes you feel that you are starting the process of finding something different. It is (normally) easier to find a job whilst you are still in one (otherwise you run the risk that in 8 weeks time you are still looking, have no job and no money coming in either).

[Lil O'lady]

DEpending on how much you will rely on their reference, might be worth p1ssing them off by having 4 weeks sick, see your doctor first and describe the state of extreme anxiety you are in.
Then get ourself better and do something you love.
Living well is the best revenge.

[jenny parker]

I wouldnt go off sick for 4 weeks as it wont look good to your next employer. your current employer can easily tell your new job how many days you have had off sick. if you are genuinely making yourself ill then thats a different matter.
i was in a job that i hated so did something about it but i still give give them more than 4 weeks notice. you dont owe them any more than that.
i'd start looking for a new job now and when you get offered your dream job, then hand your notice in, most employers know that you have to give notice, so they wont mind waiting for you.

[indieanna86]

Thanks for the replies. The plan is, I give 8 weeks notice, start looking for jobs straight away and if nothing comes up I do some temp work until I'm offered something permanent.
My long term goal is to go to university next year, so I don't need to find my dream job yet, just one that doesn't make me cry!

[SlackAlice]

Find the replacement job first, then give them 4 wks notice.

[Mully79]

You will have to be careful about this one.

They may tell you that you can have only 4 weeks notice. Why would they want to keep someone on who is clearly unhappy with their job? Sometimes it makes sense to get rid of unhappy staff asap.

Many years ago I was in a job that I loathed and like you I cried every day. I couldn't take it any more and at my annual review (where I was due to get a decent payrise) I told them I was very unhappy and wanted to leave. They gave me 4 weeks notice but the next day the HR Manager told me that I could go with immediate effect. Obviously they didn't want someone hanging around who hated their job! I did get paid for those 4 weeks plus 2 weeks holiday owed and very fortunately I got a job before the money ran out. Not very sensible and with a famiy to support now I wouldn't do something so reckless.

You may not be so lucky landing another job so soon after, so I think it would be wise to start job hunting now, use holidays for job interviews and just grin and bear it, certainly don't let them know you're unhappy. You'll get out of there soon enough and then you won't have to worry about potentially being inbetween jobs with no income.

[kira000]

I agree with the others. As soon as you give notice, your employers are lkely to start the 4 week clock- giving you less time to find something.

It sounds like you want to give notice sooner so you actively feel like you are doing something to get out. Which i totally sympathise with.

Mentally give your self 8 weeks notices, setting the end date and four week mid point clearly in your head and on a calendar and use the extra 4 weeks to secure your self something decent.
That has the benefit that you'll still feel you are taking action, but wont run the risk of them only giving you 4 weeks, and wont be nearly as stressful as being in a job you hate and the sress of job hunting on a deadline.

Good Luck!