HR tip: Can we withdraw notice?

Posted by Charlie Duff in Managing people, Business lifestyle, Employment law on Thu, 12/11/2009 - 17:03

We gave a worker his notice, but would now like to continue his employment. Can we take back the notice?

 

 

Withdrawing notice

Because our order book has dried up a bit, we recently gave notice to three of our short-serving employees but we now find that we want to keep one of them after all. He is still working his notice with us and as far as we know has not found alternative employment, but he has said quite plainly – and somewhat rudely – that he does not want to continue with us. Can we do anything to keep him?

Reply
No. His attitude is immaterial. If you have given formal notice, it stands unless the employee agrees to have it withdrawn. The only way that you may keep him is by making it worth his while in some way. Money may work but so may a friendly discussion rather than aggression.
 

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