The curse of the long goodbye has cast its shadow over white-collar Britain, and I've found myself entangled in its web. It's been a grueling three months since I tendered my resignation, and the experience has been eye-opening, to say the least.
Three-month notice periods, once an exclusive privilege of senior management, have now become a common practice, affecting ordinary workers like me. According to Clover HR, the number of jobs requiring such lengthy notices has increased by a staggering 8% in the last decade. But here's where it gets controversial: most employers are hesitant to disclose this information upfront, making it difficult to track the true extent of the issue.
A survey by Incomes Data Research revealed that only 10% of employers adhere to the statutory minimum of one week's notice for resigning employees. The majority, it seems, are setting their own rules, and the consequences are far-reaching.
The job market is moving at a faster pace, and Generation Z is leading the charge. Young adults aged 18 to 25 have already worked for an average of six employers, according to Canada Life, catching up with their older counterparts aged 65 to 74. This shift has forced employers to extend notice periods to maintain some semblance of stability.
Marie Hart, founder of Popoki HR, explains, "Historically, longer notice periods were reserved for senior executives due to the time-consuming nature of recruiting and knowledge transfer. But now, we're seeing three-month notices for middle management and above. There's a sense that it's more acceptable, almost expected."
