Handing in notice - time frame

[Jackass]

Hi,

Just have 2 questions about handing in my notice.

I'm working in an office and I'm fairly sure that the general notice period and in the contract etc. is 4 weeks, so here's my question, can you include holiday days that are already booked in this period?

i.e. I want to finish at the end of the December and have the last 2 weeks booked off, so could I hand in my notice at the begining of December, work 2 weeks, not come back in as I have the next 2 weeks booked off, then officially finish in 4 weeks?

Also, what kind of rights do an employer have with your notice? Can they refuse it or do anything if they want extended period? OR can they move the notice period forward? i.e. I give 4 weeks and they say actually we only need 2 weeks notice and employment will be terminated then. Can I insist that this is for 4 weeks or withdraw notice and give it again in 2 weeks or something?

Sorry, just the office is getting kind of messy and I'm getting off this sinking ship of a country and I just don't want any complications with the ex-employer...

Thanks for any advice!

the_syco

[Jackass] wrote: »

Sorry, just the office is getting kind of messy

Messy, eh? Please be aware that your holidays are at your employers dicression, so if they want, they can cancel your holidays when you give your notice in.

Also, how long have you been there? Sometimes your notice has to be more than 4 weeks: it'll be in your contract.

Eoin

First of all, what's in your contract? If it says 4 weeks, then it doesn't matter what the law says, as that's just a minimum. Obviously they can't specify less notice than the law says.

As the_syco says, they can just pay you for your outstanding leave and make you work the full notice period. But if you already have the leave booked and approved, I'm not sure what the story is.

So first step is look at the contract for the actual amount of notice you have to give.

Check out http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/employment to check the legal requirements.

Lastly, try and be reasonable. If you don't actually have a trip booked, then it might not be that much to ask that you work as much of your notice period as possible. I don't know what area you work in, but if it's seasonal then coming up to Christmas could be a massive pain for them - or it could take some time to train a replacement etc.

leeroybrown

Technically speaking, your notice will be from whenever you give it until the end of the notice period defined by law or if specified, in your contract. Anything else is by agreement between you and your employer. They can't refuse your resignation. They can't force you to extend it. They don't have to let you take holidays during your notice period. If you offer more notice than is contractually required they could just serve you notice and let you go sooner.

The only things you can really do are to check your contract then talk to your employer about coming to an arrangement.

doolox

If you work in a highly specialised area tha needs a lot of training they could force you to work all your notice and pay off your holidays instead of letting you take them. Also satisfactory handover of key information, contact lists etc would be part of the deal before final payment of all outstanding monies was made( pension, holidays, final months pay etc....)
If you work in a general area that anybody can do then getting away might be easier.

When you say "messy" do you mean the work is more onerous and competitive?
Or is there a relationship issue involved? Lets hope there isn't a falling out with the person who signs the cheques in the company............