Notice periods...

[Russ Greaves]

If you hand in your notice at work and want to leave earlier than they suggest, what can you do? Taking into account that asking nicely might not work.

Are you legally safe to serve some of the time as unpaid leave while simultaneously starting a new job?

[GBC]

Something I happen to be dealing with at the moment - generally it will depend on the exact terms of your contract. As a general rule though, you'll be 'encouraged' to work your pre-agreed notice period (which you'll have signed up to in your contract of employment).

Typically, you can only work a shorter notice period with the agreement of your employer - as you say, asking nicely may not work. May be worth checking the details in your contract to see if there's a way out of it.

Taking paid leave during a notice period tends to be similar, but - it will depend on the contract. I don't think I can personally take time off in lieu of unused holiday, but your employer may have a different policy.

Starting employment with another company while 'working' your notice period - even if you're taking some of that notice period as time off - is decidedly dodgy. I'd be very surprised if your contract would permit working for another company concurrently - esepcially if it's related in any way to what you do currently - and you're still under contract with the company you're leaving until your notice perios has elapsed.

[Russ Greaves]

Hmmm...managed to negotiate leaving a week earlier, with 1.5 holiday days and half a day of unpaid leave thrown into the mix. I think they got the better deal.