Alright, I’m joking about the stapler- probably best not to condone petty office theft. But we all know that working your notice period can be tough, especially as you might be just itching to leg it out of the office as fast as you can. Here is my guide to surviving those dreaded final days at work.
Notice Periods
When you resign...
If you have been employed by your employer for over one month then you are legally entitled to give the employer a minimum of one week’s notice.
Most employers will set out a notice period in the terms of your contract, so it is best to check this before handing in your resignation. Whatever the notice period is that is outlined in your contract; you will be obligated to work.
When you are being dismissed...
If you have been continuously employed for over one month- two years your employer must give you one week’s notice.
If you have been continuously employed for over two years your employer must give you one week’s notice for every complete year you have been employed (up to a maximum of twelve weeks)
Notice Pay
During your notice period you will be entitled to your usual benefits and pay, however there are some exceptions. For more information on notice periods and notice pay, you can visit the Direct Gov Website.
Working Your Notice
What’s the catch?
Some employers may offer you alternatives to working your notice, such as working a shorter notice period. This may involve losing some of your benefits or taking less than your normal wage during the reduced notice period. Whatever your employer offers you, don’t jump at the chance to get out of the door a little bit quicker unless you have considered what this might mean for your final pay packet!
You can’t walk back over a burnt bridge...
You might just want to run out of the office screaming, you may want to dress-down the office bully and yell at your boss, and although these things might seem fundamentally important with the end in sight, you must think about the long-term. You may need references from your boss, or contacts from people in the company, and you might even come face to face with old colleagues in your new/future employment. So don’t burn your bridges, act professionally and then you will have nothing to regret later on.
Garden Leave? -But I don’t have a garden!
Some employers may ask you to stay away from your place of work during your notice period. This is called ‘garden leave’. This may be for a number of reasons, including: allowing the company to protect certain information; as you will still be obligated to abide by office confidentiality agreements, or to stop you working for a competitor for this period of time. During this type of leave you will still receive all benefits and pay that you would if you worked your traditional notice. So here’s hoping!!
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