Notice periods?

...if only I could find that cutting! Drawn a blank on Google etc :-(

P.S I seem to remember an article in Computer Weekly about how the maximum notice period was set at one month by the EU - I was once told I needed to stay for 3 months and when I said 'no' they said 'oh.... ok.... would you like a contract instead?'. Anything above that duration could be deemed - if you were prepared to pursue it - as restraint of trade. Its different regarding dealing with clients of your ex company / recruiting their staff, as far as I know.

I dont trust COMPANIES for references... too many times ive worked on contract, worked hard and struggled through the debris of a project so mangled that they finally had to let 'evil contractors' in the door, only to find they 'dont remember me' and it was the permies who saved the day.

I do trust INDIVIDUALS. As its mostly agencies who do the 'checking' of references (for that "read sales leads"), having the senior project manager / programme director and technical architects of several multinationals and banks on my list of possible refs is a bonus - but these are people who I know I can trust, and I respect them. I certainly dont give out their names until I meet the client and know its a legit role.

Its taken me years to get a good reputation amongst some very useful senior people - but thats part of our business - client relationships. Although I sympathise with your situation, I would consider approaching my prospective client to ask if my start date could be delayed slightly 'to enable me to support my current team' - they might be too dumb to notice you are being professional but on the other hand some managers are wise enough to at least appreciate what you are trying to do.

Depends if you think you can survive without the reference....

I certainly notice when Mrs Lucifer gets hers. Moody doesn't even come close.

Thanks for the replies and advice, everyone.

I went down the discussion route, and will try to get something working in the next few days (*just* enough - thx thunderlizard, good point). And if it can't be done, or they think it should be different then I guess they can sue me if they choose. But judging by advice here and elsewhere I doubt that it will come to that.

<Wanders off to the strains of Status Quo playing "Burning Bridges"....> :-)

Regardless of legal position I think it hardly ever happens.

So - the question is, has anyone ever simply walked out of a permie job before their time was up?

Yes but then I was doubling my income for an easier job actually. I think they realised that they had been caught out.

Re: doesn't your contract

If nobody did any scoping, how can they prove you didn't deliver?

tl, listening to the sound of one hand clapping.

Re: doesn't your contract

Presumably the cost would be whatever it takes to put the company back in the position it would have been in if you hadn’t broken the contract. If they have to get someone else in for 2 weeks you could end up paying for it. Not very likely though.

Have you tried disussing it with them (or the new company). Perhaps you can offer some kind of off site support to them.

doesn't your contract

make that clear? maybe you need a lawyer to have a peek at the relevant paperwork?

Re: 2 things to consider going on what you say, chris4321

...which reminds me. Just how much could 'breach of contract' cost me here?

2 things to consider going on what you say, chris4321

and you've already covered one of them. the other is the legal position. if you are sure that your employer won't pursue for breach of contract then go. if not, then ...

o - the question is, has anyone ever simply walked out of a permie job before their time was up?

Who me?/ never never never...

oh orright I did a runner once or twice.. or was that 3 times now :b

Hi guys

Some of you may remember my initial post about whether to go contract. Well, I took the plunge and handed in my notice. The trouble was the three month notice period.

So...I negotiated leaving in a month subject to getting the product done by then. However, my team just has not delivered - we need about 2 more weeks(!) despite stirling efforts.

Now, normally I would say 'fair enough' and sort things out, but bear in mind that this project has been running without specification or project plan since I joined the damned company - and it is one of the main reasons why I am leaving. Quite simply the stuff that I thought was doable had not been scoped. Yes, I was caught out yet again, yes, I should have scoped it better. Yes, I won't let my good nature to get in the way any more.

So - the question is, has anyone ever simply walked out of a permie job before their time was up? Yes, I would be in breach of contract but to be brutally honest from what I have seen I would be more than happy to burn this particular bridge for a number of reasons.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts.