How do i find out what length of time I have to give when I hand in my notice?

Question

I was made part time a couple of months ago, but didn't get a new contract. Old contract says a months notice, but surely if I am now part time my notice period should be less? I dont like to ask at work!!

If i hand in my notice and they decide i should leave immediately, do they have to pay me. I have been there three years

Thank you so much for all the answers, so quickly. Best advice I suppose is that I give the amount of notice that matches how I get paid. Still get paid monthly, so notice should be monthly. However, Ideally i want to leave earlier. What can they do if I only give two weeks notice? I wouldnt have thought they could do anything. I'm already leaving. So being sacked, which is illegal wouldnt make any difference. I have a new job to go to, so what the hell? Maybe? Although I dont want to upset them or cause problems as they are mostly nice people. However, they put me on part time as business not doing well, so I sort of feel it is their fault I have had to go and look for another job to get back into full time employment. So many thoughts, so muddled!

Answer 1

It will be in your contract, if you havent got it, ask for a copy from your employer.
Maybe you should approach them and tell them your situation, they may let you go sooner. They should have given you a new contract, maybe theyve broke your original contract by changing your hours so I dont think they have a leg to stand on.

Answer 2

Your notice period will be the same as when you were full-time. There are laws that prevent part-time workers from being treated differently. They could argue that your previous contract still applies, with the exception of the number of hours worked each week.

The advice about notice reflecting pay period is incorrect. If there is no written contract then an employee only has to give a week's notice.

In response to K's post above - the only legal requirement for notice from an employee is one week, unless a contract says differently. Also, it is illegal for an employer to withhold pay for work carried out, regardless of whether that person has left with insufficient notice. If an employer did this then the former employee can put a claim in to the small claims court. All days worked have to be paid, along with any outstanding holiday pay.

Answer 3

If your full or part time, regardless of how long you have been there and any contact, you LEGALLY have to give a MINIMUM of 4 weeks notice. If you leave before the 4 weeks is up, the company you are leaving can LEGALLY keep all the money owed to you since the last pay day AND demand some money back from YOU as you will be in breach of your contact.

Answer 4

Unless you have a contract, you don't have to give notice at all. However, depending on your position, it's proper to give a decent amount of notice. If you're just a regulare employee, two weeks is considered the norm. If you're in a management or supervising position, I would consider giving a little more, as your employer may need more time to refil your spot - however, the additional notice is not required.

Regardless, when you give your notice, be sure to have some form of it in writing. Just a quick "I John Doe gave my two weeks notice of resignation with My Company on 1/2/1234." will suffice. But your employer will need this for their records.

Answer 5

.You should have had a new contract or at least a letter with any differences when moving from full to part time.

If it was one month before, it is likely to remain as one month.

You would need to check with your HR/Personnel department to be sure. If you already have another job to go to, it won't matter asking them and risk them finding out - they will find out when you hand your notice in anyway.

Additional comment: check with HR before you hand your notice in. Then hand your notice in according to the notice required. Just because you asked about the length of notice, the company cannot ask you to leave.

Further comment: If you leave before working out your notice, the company is likely to just pay you for the time you worked after handing in your notice. If you need to leave earlier than your notice, speak to your manager/supervisor or HR department. They may be okay with you not working out your notice completely. Do you have any holiday allowance? - these days could be included as part of your notice, rather than being paid for with your final pay.

Answer 6

Normally, employers like to received more then required length as it will give them moer time to look for replacement. As I said this is under 'normal' circumstances.

Ask your employer. If they asked you to leave after asking for this information, it is likely they want to make you to leave in the first place from full time to part time (if that is the case), seek advice from citizen advice Bureau, or in any case seek advice from CAB, explain your situation and what is your obligation by law. I am assuming you are in UK but if you are in other part of the world, check whether you have something similar as CAB.

Answer 7

If its not written into your workplace agreement, then its usual to allow at least one full pay period. So if its monthly you get paid, its one month's notice, fortnightly wages would mean fortnight's notice, weekly pays means a week's notice.
***Generally if your employer terminates you there and then they owe the pay period in lieu of notice too.

Answer 8

Two Weeks Notice hmmmmmmmm sounds like a good title for a film

Answer 9

Customarily, for your length of employment - 2 weeks notice.

The length of notice wouldn't effect your end pay in that .. you must be paid for time worked - it is illegal to do otherwise.

Answer 10

id say just give a months notice...if it is shorter in the new contract then it will look good if not then just use the excuse of not knowing cause you didnt get the new contract.