Long notice periods...

[pejay]

Apologies for what could turn out to be quite a boring thread but...

I started a new job back in September and my original contract stated 1 month notice period.

Over the last couple of weeks there have been quite a few redundancies here and thankfully I seem to have survived. I was approached today by my boss asking if I'd consider upping my notice period to 3 months. Apparently this has only been offered to a select few people and it's all very hush-hush. I'm the only person I know in my team that's being offered it.


As far as I can see, the benefit is that if they choose to make me redundant in the future I get 3 months notice to find a new job. The downside obviously being if I ever got bored and wanted to find a new job 3 months is an awfully long time.


So would you take it?

Is there any way to get out of it in the future if I want to leave?

[Jeux]

standard 3 month notice period for higher level employees here too..

[parakitaMol.]

Yes. Mine is 3 months.

We've just made 4 people redundant, one has used his entire 3 month period and still not found anything to go to.

Most employers expect this at a certain level so it's fine. Plus if you work in an organisation where there is sensitive competitive info this period is often spent at home on gardening leave. I think my OH has 6 months notice!

[roboxm3]

Depends on how secure your job / the industry in which you work is!

To me it sounds like 3 months guaranteed mortgage payments vs 3 months guaranteed mortgage payments...

[Puggit]

In the current climate - it's a good offer. Makes you far more expensive to make redundant.

[krisdelta]

Unless your job is driving you nuts, then it's good protection in the current climate (for you and them). As previously mentioned - 3 months is pretty standard once you get to a certain level in many companies.

[Lemoncurd]

pejay said:

Apparently this has only been offered to a select few people and it's all very hush-hush. I'm the only person I know in my team that's being offered it.

So I decided to post this information on a public internet forum ;-)

In answer to your question though, when my notice period increased a while back I took a similar view to yourself in that it gives more security if I am made redundant. Yes, the flipside is also true but IMO that is a pretty negative way to look at things.

[Grey Ghost]

I would take the offer in the current environment.

[Road2Ruin]

pejay said:

Apologies for what could turn out to be quite a boring thread but...

I started a new job back in September and my original contract stated 1 month notice period.

Over the last couple of weeks there have been quite a few redundancies here and thankfully I seem to have survived. I was approached today by my boss asking if I'd consider upping my notice period to 3 months. Apparently this has only been offered to a select few people and it's all very hush-hush. I'm the only person I know in my team that's being offered it.


As far as I can see, the benefit is that if they choose to make me redundant in the future I get 3 months notice to find a new job. The downside obviously being if I ever got bored and wanted to find a new job 3 months is an awfully long time.


So would you take it?

Is there any way to get out of it in the future if I want to leave?

Take it. If you do want to leave for a new job then do. What are they going to do sue you?! I doubt it.

[Romanymagic]

Grey Ghost said:

I would take the offer in the current environment.

[theboyfold]

I've always had the same, on one hand they promise to pay you for 3 months, on the other it means you could get bored waiting to leave. Some companies will put people on gardening leave if they resign.

[winshent]

be cheeky and try and get a pay rise thrown in as well..

[f13ldy]

My Mrs has a 3 month period.

The joys of back office management.

[AndyAudi]

Don't think they can really hold you for three months so it is only in your benefit.
(I used to be on 3mths at my last co and my HR Dept told me that)

eta I was told that as I asked for more money when they were changing my contract to make up for the potential restriction should I decide to leave

Edited by AndyAudi on Thursday 2nd April 13:27

[ln1234]

3 months here too

[parakitaMol.]

AndyAudi said:

Don't think they can really hold you for three months so it is only in your benefit.

Of course they can! that's the point, to protect themselves in the event of someone leaving it gives them time to find a replacement and organise handover or gap cover.

For the employee it gives security - and it generally does not put off new employers as it's pretty standard at Manager + level.

[JJCW]

I'd take it - at the moment security is nice

[DamoLLb]

Puggit said:

In the current climate - it's a good offer. Makes you far more expensive to make redundant.

[G'kar]

Even better if you can negotiate 3/1.

[mouseymousey]

I've known a lot of people on 3 months notice (myself included) and not once have any of them been held to it when leaving.

I guess it comes down to each individual employer but I think some take the view that unless they are really busy then holding someone who doesn't want to be there for 3 months can be counter productive.

I'd take a 3 month notice period every time.