The notice period is an important part of any job contract. It gives companies time to find a replacement and allows employees to finish their tasks before leaving. However, in recent times, many candidates face an issue when companies expect them to join within a short time, even though their current contract requires a longer notice period. This inconsistency between what companies expect from new hires and what they allow for current employees has become a frustrating reality for many. Let’s explore this issue and understand why fairness is crucial in hiring practices.
Imagine this conversation between a candidate and a hiring manager:
- The candidate mentions they have a 60-day notice period.
- The company wants someone to join in 15 days.
- The candidate asks about the company’s own notice period, which turns out to be 90 days.
- When asked if their employees can leave in 15 days, the answer is “No.”
This highlights a clear contradiction. The company expects a quick joining time from new candidates, but wouldn’t allow its own employees to leave early. It’s understandable that a company needs time to find a replacement and train them. But isn’t the same true for candidates who are currently employed elsewhere?
Forcing candidates to negotiate their notice periods or miss out on job opportunities creates unnecessary pressure. It also sends a mixed message. If a company believes a 90-day notice period is necessary for their own staff, why not respect a candidate’s need to honor their current contract? The key to a healthy work environment is consistency and fairness, both for the current employees and the new ones coming in.
It’s time for companies to rethink their approach to notice periods. There should be fairness on both sides. If you want your employees to serve their full notice period, it’s only fair to respect that same expectation from candidates. By aligning policies and treating everyone equally, businesses can foster trust and create a more balanced and transparent hiring process. Ultimately, this benefits both the company and its employees.