Is this a reasonable notice period?

I have a new job offer with a 1-year contract (renewable), of which 6 months are probation. The notice periods set out in the T&C are as follows:

1 month during the first year of job
3 months after 1 year

I had the impression that we're required to give only 1 week's notice in the first year and only 1 month's notice in the year of employment. So, is my new employer setting a reasonable notice period or does it sound a bit outrageous?

If it's not reasonable, is it common practice to ask for the notice period to be changed in the contract?
Additional Details
I am in the UK, by the way.

michr

legalities aside...............
a contract is just a written record of a verbal agreement so.....
with that said why sign anything that you are not in agreement with.

i can not imagine a law anywhere that requires a three month notice be part of an employment agreement.
the other considerations are, what are the consequences of failing to follow the contract and what protections do you have? does the law in the UK allow an employer to not pay for hours actually worked? what financial investment does the employer have in your employment other then payment for services rendered? i would negotiate the contract and demand equal protections for myself and a clear understanding of all consequences for both parties for failure to maintain the agreement.

Is this a reasonable notice period?
ABSOLUTELY NOT

paul mitch

This really depends what your job involves as contracts vary.
I would say it is reasonable if the job involves a lot of cost such as expensive training for you paid for by the employer. They may be seeking to protect themself from you getting their training at their expense and then moving on to some other employer who thus gains the benefit of your knowledge without paying for you acquiring that knowledge. .

Also if your job is a complex one to get the hang of, it would be reasonable if they had difficulty in recruiting a new person as if you left too suddenly they could be in a lot of trouble if you did not adequately train up your successor before leaving?.

But if these sorts of conditions are not involved then it does sound a little over the norm but not excessively so, and you would certainly be within your rights to make any concerns known to your employer before you sign the contract not after you have signed. It is probable they may be sounding you out and willing to negotiate.

CDK

It is completely unreasonable and will effectively prevent you from taking another job without breaching the contract.

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