Hi All,
i've been with the same company since i moved to Switzerland in 2010...started out as a trainee in a graduate program and am now working as a project manager.
after my traineeship, i was given a temporary contract until the end of the year (December 2012), with a 1 month notificiation period if i wanted to quit.
now they are only able to renew my contract again to 1 year, and my manager bumped up my notification period to 2 months because she said "i'm so deep in projects that 1 month is just too short of notice"

i don't necessarily mind the temporary 1 year contract, because the best thing i had going for me was the 1 month notice period. if they want me to have a longer notice period, then they should give me a longer contract!

i still haven't seen my new contract (currently being prepared by HR), but my thought process is that unless they give me a salary increase, that i will not accept a 2 month notice period.
am i out of line for thinking that? thanks for your feedback!

I have a three month notice period on my contract. It cuts both ways. For my employer it gives longer for them to find a replacement, for me it means that if they sever my contract unexpectedly, I have plenty of time to find another job...

i am fully aware that the normal period is 3 months...that was the case in my first 18 month contract as well.
i just think that a 2 month period for a 12 month contract is not really fair...especially since it was intentionally raised from 1 month.

do you not get unemployment benefits if you get fired? if that's the case, then obviously a longer notice period definitely gives you more security. but if you would get benefits either way, what difference does it make if you have 1, 2, or 3 months notice?

I would try to set something up like Swisspea has. That way even though it is only a 1-yr contract, they'd have to let you know on 31 October that you're out of a job at the end of the year. And why not push for a little raise at the same time?

Edit: Just read your reply to Swisspea. I think the longer notice period matters because it gives you more time to look for a new job, regardless of whether you're eligible for unemployment. If your permit is tied to your job, that extra time could come in handy.

Does the length of contract really make any difference?

They could agree to a 10 year contract and still give you 2 months notice next month...

But yeah, you might as well use it as a reason for a pay rise

After 12 months employment 2 months is the legal minimum. There is no choice in the matter!

hmm I wonder if my HR knows that?? like i said, my manager requested the change herself and i doubt it was because she knew it was legally required

does it still apply if i've been on 2 different contracts (09/2010 - 03/2012, 03/2012 - 12/2012). they were completely separate...different work permits, different job title, different salary etc etc.
i assume that my new contract is for the same position/responsibilities, but i haven't been doing this function for more 12 months?

thanks for your help in my lame employment issues! i really appreciate the feedback

I am on my second one year contract, both had 3 months notice so I'd be happy if I were you.

no my permit is tied to my marriage

I think, as long as your contract is "temporary"... other than wages, you really don't have much bargaining to do. Be happy with the two months and drive on.
JC

It's continual employment. The minimum required by law will always supersede what is written in the contract

Why do you need the shorter notice period? Surely you just need to negotiate a later start date with the new company.

If you have an issue with the length of the notice period as a matter of principle, i.e. your boss is trying to screw you in some way I am not sure what defence they really have against a letter from the doctor.

Whats your issue a 2 month notice period is perfectly fine if you dont want to accept then there are p,ents of PMs availlable in the industry its not as though your skill is unique

The notice period does not start until you return to work ..........

My husband's notice period is 1 month and that is standard for his company. He's on a permanent contract and has been with them since June 2010. Iirc his previous company had a general rule of 3 months notice, but reduced it to one a few years ago. If two's supposed to be the legal minimum I would think the unions would ensure that it's part of the contracts, even if the employers didn't.

Botzibaby1, I can understand your employer's point of view. You've moved on from trainee and are now working on much more detailed projects which would require a certain amount of handover time if you decide to change jobs. I don't think it's unreasonable, but there's always the possibility of negotiating it down to one month.

Fair point. I suppose you could be off for quite some time if you really had reason not to play ball.

i have no issue with a 2 month or 3 month period in general:
i guess i should have made it clear that a lot of things are pissing me off about the company and i'm not happy at work anymore...therefore i am very open to finding a new job and a 1 month notice gives you a lot more flexibility than a 2 month period.

i did end up getting it back down to 1 month before i signed on again for this year, so hopefully i can use it to my advantage if another opportunity requires an ASAP start. but if i do find a new job with a later start date, i will absolutely let my employer know as soon as possible out of respect regardless...i'm not a horrible employee or anything, just sometimes gotta look out for #1