Notice period falling on a Sunday - is this ok?
Posted by Individual_Volume927@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 13 comments
Hi,
I am starting a new job in the new year. My notice period for my current role according to my contract is 2 months. My employers are being funny about the last day of my notice period falling on a Sunday (despite the fact that I don’t work weekends)
I did say that I was happy to give all my equipment back on the Friday, but they need to talk to HR about it. Is it fine for my notice period to end on the Sunday in this instance?
SimplyInept@reddit
Notice periods are a courtesy, not a requirement. If they can fire you on the spot, you can leave on the spot, if they're mad over a single day, what will they do about it, fire you?
midnightbandit-@reddit
It's a breach of contract and they could, but probably won't, take you to court. And it's bad for references
HelloIamronswanson@reddit
I could be wrong but a friend in HR has told me with 90% of places notice is negotiable as most won’t chase you through court and some contracts have the right to resign immediately.
EquivalentIsopod7717@reddit
Also, notice period is just the legal minimum.
You can have a contractual one month notice period, but agree to stay on for three months to help finish stuff up. You've given at least a month's notice, so that's that.
EquivalentIsopod7717@reddit
I think it would be fine. Just hand your kit in on Friday as your last day, then your contract naturally expires over the weekend.
This happens all the time and I don't get why your employer is making an issue out of it.
Realkevinnash59@reddit
unless your contract says that you'll be financially responsible for any costs incurred in you leaving before a notice period has ended, it's just a courtesy. An employment contract is mainly in place to cover the employer and if they don't put in something to cover themselves in this situation, you can give any notice period. 1 day, 2 weeks, 2 months, 1 year. doesn't matter.
Clever_Username_467@reddit
Friday will be your last day. They can feel funny about it all they like.
All_within_my_hands@reddit
What is the exact wording your contract states with regards to the notice period?
If it is wording to the effect of "you must give x months/weeks notice" then the fact the last day falls on a weekend is irrelevant.
Individual_Volume927@reddit (OP)
The exact wording literally just says “2 months”
Loose_Acanthaceae201@reddit
Yeah, that's their problem. If they want notice periods to fall on weekdays, they need to stipulate notice periods in whole weeks.
All_within_my_hands@reddit
Then they are shit out of luck.
It's also worth me mentioning that 2 months literally means 2 months, not as many people mistake 2 months and 1 day. This might be clearer with an example...
2 months from today would be January 6th not January 7th. January 7th is 2 months and 1 day from today.
destria@reddit
Yeah usually when giving notice, I give the official calendar date from which my employment will be terminated (e.g. Sunday), and state the last working day as well (so Friday in this case).
TraditionalAide9751@reddit
Yeah I've had my last paid day as a bank holiday. I didn't work bank holidays. So I just handed my equipment back on the last day I was actually working.