Notice period at work

[Crungmungus]

I have recently been given a new job offer which requires that I move country and I need to make a lot of preparations. Despite having no work to do now or in the remaining time at my current employer they are insisting that I work the 31 days while they search for a replacement. I've tried to compromise with them that I can work 28 days but they won't budge.

Is there anything I can do?

[Ethel]

Yes. You can simply stop going to work - but you will forfeit your pay.

Technically they could sue you for breach of contract, but if you're not in the country this is hardly likely to happen.

And of course it would badly affect your future references from them.

[cassa333]

5 days sick 1 day in, 5 days sick 1 day in for a couple of weeks. Again you might not get paid but you get the time.

[Bethany12]

If you have any holiday entitlement owing to you, you could ask that that be offset against the notice period, ie if you have "earned" 8 days holiday up until the date of your resignation and taken none of it, you could work 31 minus 8 days as notice period. A lot depends on your Contract of Employment and they may have the right to refuse to allow you to do this and pay you your owing holiday entitlement in your final pay packet.

Failing that, I would work the 28 days and then just leave, and personally I would think they would be very unlikely to sue you for breach of contract over 3 days!