15 hour minimum wage job has a 6 week notice, what can I do?
Posted by Patient_Ad_382@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 165 comments
Hi there,
As I said in the title, my 15 hour a week minimum wage job has a 6 week notice (?!) and I’ve just been offered a full time salary role that would like me to start ASAP. I don’t want to risk this role because of my minimum wage job, so what can I do to get out of my notice period?
I work for a small business, and I imagine this is to cover them due to busier periods but currently they are very quiet and will be until Christmas. I am the only employee that does my role also.
Any help would be appreciated. This job offer is a dream role for me.
Thanks!
DrHydeous@reddit
You can talk to your union. They will have a legal advice helpline for employment matters.
Particular_Tune7990@reddit
What are they going to do if you just leave? Arrest you?
Be polite and do it the right way but just tell them you're leaving. IANAL but the worst they can do is likely not pay you your notice period wages and give a less than satisfactory reference - but you don't care as you've got another job already.
Postik123@reddit
This is the way. Yes you might lose out on some wages but the business loses out on you not working the agreed notice period, so it works both ways.
ZoeEatsToes@reddit
Yes they can take you to small claims court to reclaim wages for breach of contract but at minimum wage 15 hours itd probs cost them more to go court than itd be worth. (itd be ATLEAST 150 idk cost for businesses but thats personal cost) then theyd be able claim, depending on what judge says as 6 weeks is a long time.
They will almost never do this
Individual_Stay3923@reddit
what contrsct? for a minimum wage job?
ZoeEatsToes@reddit
yes... for the 15 hours hes contracted to work a week...
3Cogs@reddit
The contract must be reasonable though. My argument would be that 6 weeks notice for a part time minimum wage role is not reasonable and I would likely offer one week's notice instead.
Put it this way, my role is described as Senior and I am an SME (Subject Matter Expert ) for a couple of systems. In other words, I'm the go-to person who maintains and monitors them. My notice period is 4 weeks.
ZoeEatsToes@reddit
Yes thats why I mentioned Judges Discretion as theyd probably say a week or 2 which wouldnt be worth the effort.
Another way he could go about it is discussing a lot of managers especially at lower level jobs will be fine for a reduced notice period.
This is why I liked my first real job being 0 hours, I knew I missed some benefits and wasnt guaranteed hours etc, but I never had to work more than I wanted and they couldnt make me and when I got my degree apprenticeship I gave them 0 notice period (I would have but it was McDonalds with evil management and my 18 year old self decided they didnt deserve the courtesy)
rice_fish_and_eggs@reddit
They can claim the difference in cost of hiring a replacement and your wages but that's it.
ZoeEatsToes@reddit
I believe they can only claim cost of if they hire a temp/contractor in the absence before they find a replacement, Dont think they can claim cost of hiring the replacement.
For wages think it would be upto the 6 weeks OP didnt work but its upto the judges discretion especially if they find a replacement before the 6 weeks.
notouttolunch@reddit
You’re roughly right. Yes.
Cultural_Tank_6947@reddit
The worst they can do is sue OP for the excess cost of hiring a short term replacement. Unlikely to happen for a part time retail job though.
MasterOfPX@reddit
I ANAL? sure
Upper_Character_686@reddit
UK pretty messed up if they can withhold wages or entitlements, civilised countries outlaw or limit this practice.
chrisvenus@reddit
You may have misread the comment you replied to. The commenter was saying they would not pay your notice period, not that they would not pay wages owed. And if you didn't work your notice period I don't think anybody would reasonably be expected to be paid for it!
Flashdash92@reddit
They can't. It's illegal.
SentientWickerBasket@reddit
They can sue you for breach of contract. I seriously doubt they'll care enough in OP's case, but I have seen it happen at the professional level.
Lost-Actuary-2395@reddit
Minimum wage jobs with 6 weeks notice will fuck you anyway, so I'll skip the "be polite " part
Baby8227@reddit
And if they withhold wages they can go to ACAS for advise on how to get them as they can’t withhold wages by law.
likes2milk@reddit
Hello boss, I'm handing in my notice, I've found a full time job. Looking to leave in two weeks.
See what the response is. If their reply is shirty and contract says 6 weeks then say how about I leave at the end of the week then. Negotiate.
12Keisuke@reddit
just leave your job, what are they going to do? fire you?
gyroda@reddit
For anyone actually interested, in theory they could sue OP for losses incurred by their absence. So if OP left and they had to find a short-term replacement contractor who cost 50% more than OP, they could try and recover that 50%.
This seems very, very unlikely to me if it's only 14 hours a week. Getting other staff to cover doesn't typically incur much more cost.
Randomperson3029@reddit
Yeah, that normally falls onto the higher roles like management or above, so I think a judge would laugh at the thought of them trying to claim loss from a part-time minimum wage worker not giving SIX weeks lol
I agree that they most likely wont do it
gyroda@reddit
Also, they can only claim for increased costs in the unworked notice period (because after those 6 weeks OP would have left anyway) and they have a duty to minimise costs they want to claim (they can't needlessly spend money to try and claim it back from OP out of spite - their actions have to be reasonable and with an eye to minimising costs).
Individual_Stay3923@reddit
so much for litigation and fear of,,,,quit the job !!!,
The_Blip@reddit
Yes. In the extremely unlikely case they do sue OP for leaving without fulfilling their contractual notice, I find it extremely unlikely that OP would be liable for the full 6 weeks. A minimum wage job is, presumably, a job that would be quite easy to fill, and OP'(s lawyer) could argue, in the event that that they do not fill that role in the whole 6 week period, that the plaintiff did not do everything they would reasonably expected to do to fill that roll.
Ergo: "You said you couldn't find a replacement in 6 weeks and needed to hire a temp worker for the full 6 weeks notice, incuring x additional costs. This role is low skilled and there are plenty of people you could have hired if you were trying to. Therefore, OP is not liable for the full amount."
Worth iterating again: this is incredibly unlikely to even happen. Lawsuits are a pain. Even if you assume they could recoup the costs, the time and effort they would have to spend in litigation would not be worth it.
One_Mall3373@reddit
Please see above comment, this also applies to you. To begin with, this matter won’t even reach a judge, and neither will OP’s employers think of bringing any sort of punitive action. Utter ridiculous thinking from both of you.
Randomperson3029@reddit
What's ridiculous? We're saying it wont happen? Are you okay lmao
We're saying how silly it would be to happen not that it happen.
Maybe you need to start reading a bit slower before trying to reply lmao
Individual_Stay3923@reddit
the legal costs would,outweigh the gain,,,,unlikely for sure
One_Mall3373@reddit
Pal, it’s not “very, very unlikely” ; but rather it’s utterly definite that it will not happen, despite the milligram of “likelihood” depicted by you. Goodness gracious have some sense, pal.
gyroda@reddit
Like I said; "for anyone interested", "hypothetically", "very, very unlikely".
Because this was something I was interested to learn when I first came across it and I thought others might find it interesting too.
One_Mall3373@reddit
I was indeed very interested, but your little caveat disclaimer at the beginning didn’t stop me from informing you of the reality at hand, pal.
Sinnistrall@reddit
What is wrong with you?
Randomperson3029@reddit
They're a bit silly in the head dont worry about it. They think being pedantic about the use of 'unlikely' is really important enough to comment. It's a very nothing issue lol
AdrianFish@reddit
Feels a bit flimsy to me. Why isn’t OP being paid 50% more if, feasibly, that’s what it takes?
gyroda@reddit
For OP this is unlikely because it's easy to slot someone else in, but imagine you have an IT expert or something who quits overnight and doesn't work their notice period. You need to get someone in on short notice, who has a lot of very particular knowledge/expertise, to cover their absence. You don't have time to go through the regular hiring process, so you approach an agency or contracting company and pay them to come in within a few days and make sure things keep ticking. Because you're contracting this rather than employing someone, and doing it on short notice you're incurring a much higher cost.
I've not seen this happen, but I've seen something kinda similar - more than once have I seen an employee quit or be made redundant, only for our employer to have to shell out to hire them back for a few hours a week as a contractor past their notice period at an hourly rate well above their salary.
The_Blip@reddit
The example I usually use is a reactor control operator at a nuclear power plant. They're highly skilled, specialised, and educated individuals who's role is critical to power plant operation, safety, and cost. Therefore, they can't be replaced easily and have a high impact to business performance.
Usually one or two operators going awol wouldn't be a massive deal, they have junior operators and operators from other shifts that can cover. But in the event that they don't, the role becomes critical, and finding a replacement might mean flying someone in from another country.
Obviously it's different for a low skilled, minimum salary job. Most people who are in these jobs that they might be sued for leaving without notice are keenly aware that they are in these jobs. Most of the management jobs where this is a possibility will have garden leave anyway.
Afinkawan@reddit
Agency staff cost more. Paying overtime to someone else might cost more.
tiorzol@reddit
Because he's not a short term contractor and what business would do that
adamgreyo@reddit
This will never happen
3Cogs@reddit
OP's response would be that a six week notice period for a part time minimum wage job is not reasonable. Nobody is going to risk the costs of suing for this, particularly when there is an argument that the term is unreasonable.
gyroda@reddit
Yeah, I just thought I'd share the hypothetical recourse an employer could have. I'll edit my comment to make it clearer.
GreenLion777@reddit
Yeah that's right. There's a contractual obligation of notice, so technically they could try to hold someone to notice, or take to court for not. Retail businesses however a prime example of those that don't bother, even if someone just stopped turning up, lol
ras2703@reddit
Hand in notice and go off sick for 6 weeks.
S1nnah2@reddit
This. I'd work a week's notice which seems reasonable for that kind of job then just phone in sick
Afinkawan@reddit
Technically they might be able to sue OP. Realistically, they won't.
Individual_Stay3923@reddit
quit…a minimal wage job with such a requirement ? ridiculous! give yiur notice asap and don’t look back.
S_mawds@reddit
Did you even sign a contract when you started there?
If not then there is no notice period and you are free to leave
ActContent1866@reddit
Sometimes people just get sick! 🤒 just saying
lrp1991@reddit
Just leave mate they cannot do anything.
EntryCapital6728@reddit
I mean, you signed a contract. If you didnt then leave lol but if you signed a contract specifying 6 weeks notice then theoretically they could take you to court if you just fail to show up.
But they have to demonstrate a significant loss in small claims court, 15 hours a week? I mean, they probably have 20 other people on 15 hour contracts anyway.
Its up to you but if its a dream job and you think it might be an issue, quit up
Adventurous-Carpet88@reddit
Why not just have a conversation about it? Do your notice but just talk to them. 🤷🏻♀️
Flori57@reddit
Another consideration is how long you have worked for them. If only a short time then the notice period would be shorter. Well it is where k work anyway
SwordTaster@reddit
Laugh. Quit on the spot. Don't use them as a reference for future jobs.
WatNaHellIsASauceBox@reddit
Absolutely do not tell anyone at your old job anything at all about your new job.
Skanedog@reddit
Have you been in the job less than two years?
If the answer is yes then you have to give one weeks notice, your contracts above that is completely unenforceable. If you leave with less than a week's notice they can withhold that week's pay. That's it.
They can't give you a "bad reference", they can't "sue you". Go follow your new job.
Ascdren1@reddit
Take the new job and tell them to pound sand. Like what are they going to do? Fire you?
drifterlady@reddit
Take the dream job. Tell current employer you're leaving and leave. If you want to be decent, get as late a start as possible at new job and delay leaving but leave. They wouldn't take any action as their constraints are totally unreasonable.
NoVermicelli3192@reddit
Give them as much notice as you can. Be humble and honest and explain you don’t have a choice. Apologise
Exotic-Knowledge-243@reddit
Ignore it and walk away when you want
VividArtichoke7147@reddit
Just don’t go back
nicksalf@reddit
Put your notice in and then go off on sick
Time-Mode-9@reddit
Talk to your work and tell them you want to leave without working your whole notice.
They will know they can't stop you leaving earlier, and will probably be amenable.
If not, then there's nothing they can realistically do, except not pay you owed wages
Itchy-Ad4421@reddit
Go sick. You can go sick from one job and not be too sick to do another.
Nuo_Vibro@reddit
ignore it. Might take a hit in your wages but they cant stop you walking out
sittingatthetop@reddit
Mega stupid question but can you do both jobs for some of the notice period ?
Elegant_Resource657@reddit
Go to the doctors, get a note for stress. Hand your notice in at the same time as your sick note.
ItsDominare@reddit
I can't see anywhere where you've said you've already asked your employer to leave early. If you have, what did they say? If not, go do that first then come back.
InterestingString233@reddit
Just quit bro, they ain’t gonna chase you down lol
mattl1698@reddit
if you like your current boss, ask the new job if they'd be open to starting off at 3 days a week while you finish your notice period.
if you really hate your current job, just quit without notice.
or try for a shorter notice and work both jobs until it ends before switching to the one job full time
rmulberryb@reddit
Do like 2 weeks then call in sick for the rest
milestryhard@reddit
Get yourself fired. Just turn up mega late every day, stop doing what your manager tells you to do, pick arguments with colleagues, start wearing inappropriate clothing to work.
TheWeirdDude-247@reddit
I worked at McDonald's during college and I found new job, better pay and chance to progress in years ahead but they wanted me to start asap really but had iirc 2 week notice.
So what I do? I literally quit next day and had few days off then went new job, obviously it wasn't ideal but would i rather lose that job and get stuck longer in McDonald's, or instantly leave and improve everything?
Mate its a no brainer just leave, games the game always look out for YOU, they'd drop you instantly for what ever reason, you dont owe them nothing, also reference from part time job will essentially be useless anyway, this new job will be the one you use next time.
The_Deadly_Tikka@reddit
You don't have to give your full notice, it's really just a courtesy. Give as much as you can but I wouldn't worry about it too much
Intelligent_Court396@reddit
If your new employer doesn't respect employees who work their notice periods what do they think will happen if you get a better offer in future?
I would tell them you will try to negotiate with your existing employer.
Offer 2 weeks notice and see if they think.its reasonable.
Employers must know that good workers will have notice periods and will be prepared to wait for them..
ConsciousSky5968@reddit
For a part time minimum wage job I’d give no more than 2 weeks notice. 6 weeks is ridiculous but if it’s in your contract you might have to do. Speak to them and see if you can compromise, they likely won’t want you hanging around if you’re leaving anyway!
itsjustkirsty@reddit
Just leave after payday
StarryKnightLondon@reddit
Just speak to your current employer, tell them the situation and ask how soon they can let you go. If they don't play nice, go anyway.
LittleDaftie@reddit
What did you tell the new place your notice is? Most hiring firms expect someone to have a 4 week notice in their current job as a standard, it’s not usually a problem. Just speak to them and see what they say.
Admirable-Boss1221@reddit
There's plenty of ways around this. Give them 6 weeks notice and then call in sick/ tell them you're going to prison/ say nothing and go AWOL.
Stephen_Soleil@reddit
2 weeks is the legal limit
ShutItYouSlice@reddit
Leave your job no one is going to come round and march you into your old job.
Bottled_Void@reddit
Did you check your contract? 6 week notice is likely how much time they need to give you. Is that reciprocal? One week would seem more appropriate.
jajwhite@reddit
If you don't need a reference, suggest to your employer that 6 weeks is a long time and that you would hate to be pushed into a corner and have to do something that would get you sacked on the spot. Say how about 2 weeks. Shake hands.
If he doesn't play ball, start being an hour or two late.
Cold94DFA@reddit
Be selfish sometimes, they won't remember you.
ClericalRogue@reddit
Check your actual contract. What they say vs what you signed often differs. If theres no written notice in your contract they cant hold you to it.
Chances are if you just up and leave they wont do anything about it other than slate you as a do not rehire.
Yes, in theory they could sue for losses but its extremely unlikely given you're part time and low earning in that role.
Green_Sprout@reddit
Explain to the old employer that this is a job you can't turn down unless they can offer you similar hours and comparable pay, tell them you are willing to give them the legal minimum of one weeks notice. If you have a copy of your contract I would also give it a looking over because 6 weeks is excessive and sounds like someone pulled the number out of their ass.
Diplomatic_Gunboats@reddit
Well if you quit and refused to work your contractual notice period (if they require it), realistically the only thing likely to happen is if you use them as a reference at which point they will be free to say you didnt adhere to the terms of your contracted employment. Which would be factually true. They are not going to waste time and money taking you to court over it when petty revenge will be almost as damaging and perfectly legal.
Generally when in discussion with a new employer you should make them aware of any notice period and almost all are reasonable. An employer who wants/encourages you to break your contract is a red flag in itself. You dont say if you have asked your current employer, again most are reasonable when it comes to leaving provided you are critically important or there is a need for an extended handover.
miss-twinkle_toes@reddit
Contracts like those arent worth the paper they’re written on
LupercalLupercal@reddit
Call them and say you are dead
adamgreyo@reddit
Just walk out.
junksale@reddit
Start an argument with your boss/manager then don’t come in again
Froggatt34@reddit
You look a bit pasty, are you sure you're not ill?
seklas1@reddit
From my experience, when I quit my part time job, I sent an email, and literally didn’t hear back from them. They didn’t say hi or goodbye, just total radio silence and no more shifts were scheduled either. Maybe it would similar to you too 🤷♂️
John-the-Renounced@reddit
It depends - how long have you worked there?
Patient_Ad_382@reddit (OP)
Just over 3 months now
Royal-Jackfruit-2556@reddit
You're under 2 years so they don't need to give you 6 weeks notice to get rid of you. Works both ways.
EternallySickened@reddit
You don’t have to give six weeks if you’ve only been there 3 months. Give them a week and be gone.
John-the-Renounced@reddit
So, your contract is legally enforceable, however, is the employer likely to come after you for breach of contract for a p/t job (unlikely). It might be worth just having a conversation with your boss - once you announce that you're leaving generally employers don't really want you around. If they say no, they want you to work your contract period, then you can state that you're going to give them 4 weeks instead of 6 - your new employer would expect at least 4 weeks as a norm. Hopefully your current employer are reasonable.
Other question that's pertinent - is your current job giving you a guaranteed 15 hours (contracted), or is it a zero-hours contract and they just give you 15 hours 'regularly'?
NotOnlyMyEyeIsLazy@reddit
Are you still in your probation period? This is normally six months and you normally only have to give 1 weeks notice in this case (BUT CHECK YOUR CONTRACT).
FEMXIII@reddit
Have you actually spoken to your current employer about this? Most employers will be flexible, at the end of the day if you’re not wanting to stay in your role they’ve already lost you, so they may as well leave on good terms.
Failing that just stop working as others have said. Might make your tax a bit squiffy for a bit if they don’t give you the right end date but it’ll even out in the end!
-ricci-@reddit
Can’t believe I had to scroll so far through the reams of “just leave” before I found a “have you tried talking to them” post.
Absolutely this. Go have a conversation with your current employer say you’ve been offered this position, they’d like you to start as soon as possible and you’d like to work out a finish date.
This will lead to
The most likely Option 1. Your current employer is reasonable, congratulates you and you collectively agree a workable date. You leave on good terms, no bridges burnt.
The unfortunate Option 2. Your current employer is an arse. Says you have to work the six weeks, you respond Ha, Thats not happening, I can give you until X date. If they don’t accept X date at that point you put on your coat say I’m sorry it didn’t work out I’m resigning with immediate effect and walk out the door.
JustARandomPokemon@reddit
Nothing will happen. Just leave. Especially with a small company. If they get lippy tell them to show the legislation that allows them to make employees give 6 weeks notice.
You're all good. My job people leave with 0 day notice all the time even though we are told 4 weeks notice should be given.
total-blasphemy@reddit
Notice is a professional courtesy, not a requirement.
They don't give you notice when they're sacking you.
Lots-o-bots@reddit
I dont think anyone would care about a reference from a min wage part time job. Give whatever notice you can but dont put anything off for it.
CauliflowerMiddle149@reddit
Tell them you're leaving and don't back down.
Top_Nebula620@reddit
They wouldn’t give you 6 weeks notice if they sacked you.
Mighty_joosh@reddit
Don't work your notice 🤷♂️
Move up all your holiday, take a week off ill at the start and a week off sick at the end
Signal_Quantity_7029@reddit
Just stop working. A notice is not legally required it's just polite
EitherChannel4874@reddit
Just leave. Fuck them.
They would fire you and march you out the same day if they didn't want you and you haven't agreed to pay them any money in penalties of you leave so just leave.
6 weeks is bullshit. They're just taking advantage of people to make their life easier but guess who matters more in this situation? You do.
SlovenlyGolem@reddit
Just don't turn up one day, that's what I've done in the past. 2 weeks later your p45 will arrive in the post.
Striking_Smile6594@reddit
A 6 week notice period for a part time minimum wage job is not reasonable.
Your new job must take priority, give them a reasonable notice period (2 weeks?) and then leave. If they kick up a fuss well that's on them. Once your new job starts what are they going to do, sack you?
Ring_Peace@reddit
The first paragraph here is all that matters. Even if you had a signed contract that stated 6 weeks, there is no way that is being upheld, just trying it on because it is easier for the company.
Start your new job and don't look back.
Kyrptt@reddit
Hand notice in and go long term sick if they want to play games. Start new job.
psinghb84@reddit
How long have you been working at this min wage job? If less then a year I would just give 1 weeks notice.
Shoddy_Story_3514@reddit
Hand in your notice with the date you are leaving and leave on that date. The only reason to work a notice period is to leave on good terms in case things go wrong in a new job and you might go back of money us tight. However you say you are going from minimum wage into a salaried role so screw them. Just remember to check that they pay you the correct amount in your final pay packet and most companies will claw back money for any holiday time taken but not accrued.
Dismal_Knee_4123@reddit
Walk in. Say “I’m sick of this job, you don’t pay me enough and the boss is useless.” Kick off. Shout a bit. Walk out. Do that a couple of times and they will fire you. No notice period required.
AverageWarm6662@reddit
Just tell them you’ve found something better and would like to leave before 6 weeks and see what they say
Upper_Push_5860@reddit
Leave today. Don’t go back in
stulogic@reddit
It’s totally unenforceable. Just leave.
addicted-2-cameltoe@reddit
Just say bye......
Emergency_Mistake_44@reddit
Don't follow me for overall life advice but I've left at least 5 jobs by simply not going back in and starting a new one.
I highly doubt a small business only giving you 15hrs will have the resources, time or effort to care about legal repercussions.
OkIndependent1667@reddit
It means if the company wants to serve YOU notice its 6 weeks
If you want you can call your boss and say “yeah i’m done, smell you later” or you can give them any amount of notice you like, its not enforceable
Chris_358@reddit
Just leave, just after payday if possible
JarJarBinksSucks@reddit
Walk away. 6 weeks is ridiculous. Time it just after pay day
el_duderino_316@reddit
On a 15 hour contract, it's probably not worth their time to even pay for legal advice, let alone take legal action.
I'd offer them two weeks notice, personally.
Boomalla@reddit
Just Quit and go to your new job. I had been contemplating quitting for months and then one day I walked into work and thought fuck it why am I still here. I walked into the office and said to my boss I’m quitting today and I’ll email my resignation to you by tomorrow. got paid for the days I worked and moved on with my life.
cosmic_monsters_inc@reddit
Yeah the notice period is a courtesy. Would they give you 6 weeks notice? I doubt it. Give them the date and wish them luck and don't think about it again.
ThatchersDirtyTaint@reddit
It's not a courtesy. It's a contractual obligation. Would they give 6 weeks notice? Yes they'd have or 6 weeks pay in leu of notice.
oh_no3000@reddit
If you leave with no notice you become what many companies call a 'bad leaver' which in the UK usually means a neutral reference ( Mr X worded for company from y to z dates) and they'll never employ you again.
Loads of people do it. Notice period is not a hostage situation.
SoundsVinyl@reddit
Hand in ya notice, go off ‘sick’ they’re never going to sue you and they won’t be able to withhold any pay. Fuck them it’s just a job you will never see again.
AndromedaDependency@reddit
Leave. The only thing you would lose out on is the pay from the 6 weeks notice period.
And if your conscience makes you feel bad for doing it, just remember they only paid you the absolute bare minimum that they had to by law. They would have paid you less if they could have gotten away with it so you don't owe them any kind of gratitude.
Quinn_27@reddit
Have you got an employment contract?
Your contract of employment will usually state your notice period, and this takes precedence.
If your contract doesn't specify a notice period, or if you don't have a written contract, the statutory minimum notice period applies.
Statutory Minimums:
For employees with more than two years of continuous service, the statutory minimum notice period is
one week for each year of service,
up to a maximum of 12 weeks.
Aaron123111@reddit
They can’t prevent you from future opportunities, including other companies. They can refuse to give you a reference but you don’t need one
Metalicks@reddit
minimum wage, minimum commitment.
give them enough notice where if they immediately fire you it wont hinder your ability to start your new job.
supergodmasterforce@reddit
What your paid is irrelevant. If the contract you signed says you need to give a certain amount of notice, then that is what you must give.
Did you not discuss this with your dream role? It's usually a question asked at the interview stage and/or job offer stage so they know when you can start.
You could also discuss this with your current employer, explain the situation and they may agree to waive all or some of the notice period.
DeepSpaceNineInches@reddit
This is terrible advice. It's not going to reflect badly on you in the future and nobody is even going to know or care, as op has their dream job already lined up.
I've been fired from a job and walked into a better role for more money 3 months later. People grossly exaggerate things like this. As others have said, politely give them 2 weeks which is more than suitable for length of service.
SomeHSomeE@reddit
I mean if its a minimum wage part time job with no relevance to their future career then it's a bridge they can happily burn without consequence.
I once quit my Woolworths job on the tills by just not turning up anymore and guess what, 20 years on, it has had zero impact on my career.
supergodmasterforce@reddit
I did a similar thing when I worked at Asda, about 6 or 7 years after I just stopped turning up, an employer conducted a 10 year background check on me including references from previous employers for a job I'd applied for.
Turns out, Asda sacked me but I didn't know. Letters they were sending me, asking me to appear at disciplinary and investigation meetings, never reached me because I had moved address. I couldn't just get fired for no showing, they had to go through the motions of disciplining me as per the rules which led to my dismissal.
This in turn led to me having my probation period extended by 9 months and a delay on a pay rise until my probation had ended. As I had not disclosed the firing prior to starting work, I could have actually been sacked from my then current job.
So, although it might seem inconsequential and insignificant now, it might come back to haunt you eventually
whatmichaelsays@reddit
Realistically, what does "start as soon as possible" mean? I mean, contractually, six weeks is "as soon as possible" - have they indicated whether this is acceptable? Generally speaking, employers are happy to wait for the right candidate.
As for whether you can leave early, yes. But that doesn't necessarily mean it won't be without consequence - the question is then whether you're happy to accept that consequence.
Legally, your employer could sue for the ADDITIONAL costs that they have incurred due to you breaching contract, although this rarely happens (especially in cases for NMW workers).
R3DSmurf@reddit
I phoned my boss once and said "I have left" he said that I have to give 3 months notice and I I replied I couldn't give him any notice because I have already left
dinkidoo7693@reddit
Id tell them that you have been offered a job and give them 2 weeks notice. 6 weeks notice is insane for a part-time roll on minimum wage
ArtificialPigeon@reddit
Honestly, tell them you're leaving, ask if you can work less than the 6 weeks. If they're awkward in any way, leave on payday. That way they can't withhold any wages owed to you. What are they going to do? There's absolutely nothing they can do
SkynBonce@reddit
Quit and expect to lose some pay.
Seirxus@reddit
You're allowed to discuss and come to a mutual agreement with your notice period.
OddPerspective9833@reddit
They're hardly going to sue you over it. And even if they did, what could they possibly get? 90 hours of minimum wage pay?
GuybrushFunkwood@reddit
Tell them to go whistle! If you’re that critical to the business you should be on a lot more than NMW! Tell them they get a week and don’t fall for any of the guilt bollocks, they aren’t your friends you look after you and your interests always.
levinyl@reddit
You can leave but obv will not be paid your notice....
iamabigtree@reddit
Take the job. Of course.
Give a reasonable notice period which for a part time minimum wage job would be a week and tell them your last day is $date.
Note; tell them, don't ask.
There's nothing they can realistically do about it. Except ask you to leave immediately, which may be for the best.
spokenwealth@reddit
Give them one week notice. More than enough. Six week notice period is not reasonable unless in some sort of very very Senior role in a major corporation.
gagagagaNope@reddit
That's not how the law or employment contracts work.
Rekyht@reddit
Think you might be a bit off there, 1 month tends to be the standard for IC roles and 3 months for management. More than that can be up to a year depending on how senior.
Born-Ad4452@reddit
I’d say the modern world has a lot of 3 month notice jobs from mid-senior and upwards. It’s 1 month or 3 months, generally.
Funky_monkey2026@reddit
They legally have to pay you for work you have done.
Once you have a contract with the new job, let them know you will be starting there ASAP, but try to be nice and give them a week or two notice. You'll get paid for all the work you have already done for them.
Remote-Pool7787@reddit
They can’t refuse to pay you for hours that you’ve already worked. If they are decent people they’ll understand why you want to leave.
xxx654@reddit
Respectfully and politely tell them you’re leaving giving them a week. It’s 2 days a week, minimum wage job.
3 months is fair enough if you’re in a senior job and there are disincentives to stop you (eg losing share options or quarterly bonus). That doesn’t sound the case here.
Politely but firmly move on.
Bilbo_Buggin@reddit
I’d just leave. I wouldn’t normally say that, but I really fail to see how they can justify that. If I’ve got it right, it’s a 15 hour a week contract, and you’ve only been there 3 months. Still give them notice, be respectful but I think they’d struggle to justify why you have to stick around for 6 weeks.
Alarmed_Crazy_6620@reddit
Sometimes burning the bridges is ok
IpromithiusI@reddit
Give them 2 weeks. They can't force you to work, and their theoretical recourse is to sue - but all they can claim is the difference between your hourly rate and that of a temp.
Realistically that's going to be, what, £2 a hour most? So £30 a week, 4 weeks, £120. It's not worth their time or effort to bring the claim.
Notice period enforcement is the realm of serious professionals and upper management. Don't sweat it.
Baby8227@reddit
What are they going to do; take your birthday off you? Take any holidays you have earned and leave.
comicgopher@reddit
Question is better placed for r/legaladviceUK but they will likely advise you can go. The worst your current employer can do is bad reference and sue for any increased costs ie they have to hire a temp to cover they can look to claim increased wages
SomeHSomeE@reddit
Give shorter notice but even if they reject it just stop turning up when the new job starts. It's not like you need the old job for a reference.
There isn't much they can do. They still have to pay you for all hours worked and any accrued holiday (and if they try to hold it back you take them to tribunal).
Technically they can recover any costs incurred due to you leaving early. But these are only ADDITIONAL costs, so if they have to e.g. recruit a temporary worker to cover the job while they recruit then they can only claim back from you the extra it cost them above what it would have cost to keep you. And usually this is only reasonably argued and claimed when it's a specialist skill/role, which I assume your minimum wage part time job isn't.
red_black_red0@reddit
I doubt there can be any real consequences.
Give them as much notice as you feel is fair, but don't go and hijack your own opportunities at the same time.
LastofAcademe@reddit
Is it feasible for you to speak to your current employer about the possibility of waiving your notice? Or negotiating a shorter notice?
Worth noting that you don't have to work your notice, but it's generally advised you do since you're potentially burning bridges and you never know when you might need a job. And there's the possibility that they might refuse to give you a reference if one is requested.
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