Recently we have seen a trend towards longer notice periods. In particular in the IT Workday industry the norm has become 3 months. But not everyone in the industry is convinced that this is a 
good thing. Indeed for both employers and employees there are pros and cons which could affect not only the working relationship but also the business concerned.
The Employers Perspective
With systems like Workday, high level expertise can be hard to find. Which means that employers want to try hold on to that expertise as long as possible and have sufficient time to search for a replacement if an employee decides to leave. Generally it can take three months or more to find someone suitable. Then there is also the question of handover. This is not something that can be done in a week or two so from an employer’s perspective a notice period of three months or more is the minimum they would need to ensure continuity in business projects.
However, this can also present challenges. Once a Workday employee has made a decision to leave they tend to emotionally disconnect. This often reflects in their work and interactions with clients and colleagues. Instead of just causing a disruption in workflow it can also cause a decline in morale which could in some instances instigate a mass exodus in the team, especially if the person leaving has a fair amount of influence or is looked up to by colleagues. This could be far more damaging to the business than losing the expertise of just that one Workday person.
Sometimes, despite how valuable a person is in the role they fulfill, it may be in the business’ best interests to get them out as soon as possible, rather than let them stay on. This is particularly important when there is a chance the employee could take client accounts with them to a competitor or be looking at starting up their own enterprise.
The Employees Perspective
Some employees want to leave on good terms and give their Workday employers the benefit of the doubt by working out a full three month notice period. They recognize the complexities involved in projects and are willing to work the full notice period in order to help train up their replacement and conduct a proper handover.
Sometimes employees are even willing to give more notice than required. However, they need to be cautious. If the Workday employer thinks they don’t need the extra notice they can terminate with just the required notice period and employee could then find themselves without pay for a month or two before they start their new job. There is also the challenge of coordinating start dates with a new employer and ensuring they’d be willing to wait for three months or more.
Ultimately it will come down to the Workday employment contract and the relationship between the employer and employee. It’s always best to leave on good terms as one never knows when past relationships could impact business dealings or opportunities in the future. With open communications and good working relationships, it is possible to have a positive outcome for all.
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