
<p>Thinking of making a career move? Don’t forget to factor your notice period into your plans. If you’re leaving a job, you’ll usually have to give your employer a bit of warning (this is known as your notice period). This allows you to tie up any loose ends and conduct a full handover.</p>



<p>The <a href="https://blog.sonicjobs.net/how-long-is-a-notice-period/?id=943"><strong>length of your notice period</strong></a> will depend on your contract. The statutory notice period states you’ll need to work <strong>at least 1 week’s notice if you’ve been employed for more than a month and upto 2 years</strong>. But working one month’s notice is the most common scenario whether you’re <a href="https://blog.sonicjobs.net/how-many-hours-is-a-full-time-job-sonicjobs/?id=923"><strong>full-time</strong></a> or <a href="https://blog.sonicjobs.net/how-do-you-find-part-time-work-sonicjobs/?id=693"><strong>part-time</strong></a>.</p>



<h2>What happens if you don’t work your notice period</h2>



<p>If you don’t work your notice period, this will likely be a breach of your contract. As a result, you won’t get paid for any time not worked. Your employer may also decide to decline a reference if contacted by your new employer.</p>



<p>This isn’t ideal and the best case scenario is to work your notice and leave on good terms. If you leave without working your notice, this may burn some bridges!</p>



<h2>Are there times when you don’t have to work your notice?</h2>



<p>There are some circumstances where you might not have to work your notice period.</p>



<h3>Garden leave</h3>



<p>Garden leave is when your employer decides not to let you work during your notice period. Instead, they tell you to stay home. This is usually because you’re a liability to the business. Garden leave is particularly common in sales roles and in Senior Executive roles. This is mainly because businesses don’t want you to steal any leads if you’re going to a competitor. Despite this, they’ll still need to pay your full salary as per the terms of your contract.</p>



<h3>Mutual agreement</h3>



<p>Sometimes you may need to put in a special request to not work your notice period. This might be because another job wants you to start working earlier. In this case, you’d need to discuss this with your manager who would have the final say. Both you and your employer would need to agree that you can leave without working your notice. You won’t get paid for your notice period.</p>



<h3>Zero-hours contracts</h3>



<p>Zero hour contracts have no notice period. This means that an employer can dismiss you without giving you any notice. Equally, you can leave your job without any warning.</p>



<h2>How to hand in your notice</h2>



<p>To hand in your notice, you need to write a formal letter to your manager. It’s best to deliver a hard copy of the letter in-person, but you can also send via email as a backup. <a href="https://blog.sonicjobs.net/how-to-write-a-resignation-letter/?id=1129"><strong>Writing a notice letter</strong></a> is simple. You just need a few lines to state the facts, such as:</p>



<ul><li>The position you’re resigning from</li><li>How long your notice period is</li><li>Your last date of employment</li><li>Any outstanding leave you’re currently owed</li></ul>



<p>You can add in a couple of sentences thanking your employer for the opportunity and wishing them well in the future. This is a nice touch and helps to leave on a good note.</p>



<h2>What if you’re owed leave?</h2>



<p>If you still have leave to use up, your employer may let you use this during your notice period. But they’re not obliged to if it doesn’t suit the business’ needs. If not, you’ll just get paid any owed leave in your final paycheck before they issue your <a href="https://blog.sonicjobs.net/what-is-a-p45/?id=940"><strong>P45</strong></a>.</p>



<h2>Aim for an amicable split</h2>



<p>When leaving a job, it’s best to try and leave on as good terms as possible. So, working your notice period and conducting a full handover is in your interest.</p>



<p class="has-text-align-center"><br><em>If you’re ready to find a new job fast, getting hired just got easier. Use the </em><a href="http://www.sonicjobs.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong><em>SonicJobs</em></strong></a><em> app to apply for jobs from your phone!</em></p>


Do you have to work your notice period?


<p><strong><a href="https://blog.sonicjobs.net/how-to-deal-with-job-interview-rejection/?id=450">Dealing with interview rejection</a></strong> is one part of the job search process. But what about the other side of the coin? Have you thought about the best way to <em>accept</em> a job offer? Yes, that’s right. There’s a knack to accepting a job offer. Just because you receive an offer doesn’t mean you should accept it right away. </p>



<p>There are a few pit stops to make before sealing the deal!</p>



<h2>4 things you must do before accepting a job offer</h2>



<h3>Don’t be hasty</h3>



<p>Don’t feel pressured to accept the job offer on the spot, especially if you’re not 100% sure about the role. It’s perfectly reasonable to ask for a day or two to consider the offer. Just be sure to show lots of enthusiasm and thank the employer for the offer at the same time!</p>



<h3>Check in with your other applications</h3>



<p>Chances are you’ve been attending several <strong><a href="https://blog.sonicjobs.net/how-many-different-stages-of-interviews-are-there-sonicjobs/?id=718">job interviews</a></strong> at the same time. Don’t feel you need to accept this job offer because it’s the first one. If there’s another job you’re more interested in, call the employer. Tell them you’ve had an offer elsewhere, but you wanted to see if they were interested in hiring you before you accept the offer. This may prompt them to make you an offer. Sometimes employers just need a little nudge!</p>



<h3>Understand the salary/package</h3>



<p>Be sure to understand the salary, package and any bonus schemes before accepting the job offer. Although money shouldn’t drive your decision, it’s still an important part of accepting a job offer. Ideally, you’ll have already <strong><a href="https://blog.sonicjobs.net/how-to-ask-about-salary-expectations/?id=460">asked about salary during your interview</a></strong>. If the salary isn’t what you expected, you may have to negotiate. But always <a href="https://blog.sonicjobs.net/how-do-you-know-if-you-are-being-paid-enough-at-work-sonicjobs/?id=877"><strong>check your salary</strong> </a>to make sure it’s competitive first.</p>



<h3>Resolve any outstanding questions</h3>



<p>Finally, make sure you resolve any major outstanding questions. It’s important to feel sound in your decision to accept a job offer. So be sure to pop the hiring manager an email or phone call to clarify your queries.</p>



<h2>How to accept a job offer</h2>



<p>Once you’ve made the decision to accept a job offer, it’s time to let the hiring manager know!</p>



<h3>Verbal acceptance</h3>



<p>You can accept a job offer verbally over the phone. This is most common when you receive a job offer over the phone. A verbal job offer is usually followed by a written job offer to make the offer more official. So you’ll usually have to follow this step with a written acceptance letter.</p>



<h3>In writing</h3>



<p>Whether you received your job offer verbally, by post or by email, you can accept the offer via email. Be sure to send the acceptance letter directly to the hiring manager.</p>



<h4>Example job acceptance email</h4>



<p><em>Dear <strong>[Name]</strong>,</em></p>



<p><em>Thank you for extending a job offer to me for the position of <strong>[job title]</strong>. It is with great pleasure that I will be accepting your offer.</em></p>



<p><em>To confirm, my starting salary will be <strong>[£amount]</strong> and my package includes<strong> [X]</strong> days of annual leave and private healthcare.</em></p>



<p><em>I am very much looking forward to joining the team and getting started on <strong>[DATE]</strong>.</em></p>



<p><em>Please let me know the next steps and what documentation you will need to see.</em></p>



<p><em>Kindest regards,</em></p>



<p><strong><em>[Your Name]</em></strong></p>



<h2>Onto higher peaks</h2>



<p>Getting a job offer is a fantastic feeling. It means someone is recognising you for your skill and potential. They know your worth. Just make sure the job offer also meets your expectations before sending through your acceptance!</p>



<p class="has-text-align-center"><strong>Ready to climb the ladder? <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="http://www.sonicjobs.com" target="_blank">SonicJo</a><em><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="http://www.sonicjobs.com" target="_blank">bs</a> lets you apply for jobs with one tap &#8211; making a career move has never been so easy!</em></strong></p>


How to accept a job offer


<p>Are you gearing up to leave your job? Well, as part of the process you’ll need to give some warning and write a notice letter (although there are some<a href="https://blog.sonicjobs.net/do-you-have-to-work-your-notice-period/?id=1126"> <strong>cases where you don’t need to work your notice</strong></a>). Your resignation letter will be handed to your line manager in person. But handing in your notice can be a nerve-wracking experience. That’s why we’ve created some resignation letter templates for you to use!</p>



<p><strong>Notice letter pointers:</strong></p>



<ul><li>Write the date</li></ul>



<ul><li>Include addresses as with a traditional letter</li></ul>



<ul><li>Address it to your line manager</li></ul>



<ul><li>Check the<a href="https://blog.sonicjobs.net/how-long-is-a-notice-period/?id=943"> <strong>notice period length</strong></a> in your employment contract</li></ul>



<ul><li>Keep the body of the letter short (85-120 words)</li></ul>



<ul><li>Use a professional tone</li></ul>



<ul><li>Express thanks</li></ul>



<ul><li>Hand it over in person (where possible)</li></ul>



<h2><strong>Resignation letter example 1: found a new job</strong></h2>



<p><em>Dear</em><strong><em> [Manager’s Name]</em></strong><em>,</em></p>



<p><em>I am writing to inform you that I have accepted a new job offer. I am </em><em>therefore</em><em> resigning from my position as </em><strong><em>[job title]</em></strong><em> and hereby give you </em><strong><em>[notice time frame e.g. one month’s]</em></strong><em> notice. My contract will be due to </em><em>terminate</em><em> on </em><strong><em>[date]</em></strong><em>.</em></p>



<p><em>During my notice period, I will ensure that I conduct a thorough handover. I will also continue to perform my role to the best of my ability.</em></p>



<p><em>I would like to express my sincere thanks for the opportunity to work for </em><strong><em>[company name] </em></strong><em>over the past </em><strong><em>[time spent at company]</em></strong><em>. I have gained an invaluable amount of experience and will miss the team.</em></p>



<p><em>Best regards,</em></p>



<p><strong><em>[Name]</em></strong></p>



<h2><strong>Resignation letter example 2: the role isn’t right</strong></h2>



<p><em>Dear</em><strong><em> [Manager’s Name]</em></strong><em>,</em></p>



<p><em>After much deliberation, I have decided to resign from my position as </em><strong><em>[Job Title]</em></strong><em> and hereby give you my </em><strong><em>[notice timeframe]</em></strong><em> notice</em><em>. My employment contract will </em><em>therefore</em><em> end on </em><strong><em>[date]</em></strong><em>.</em></p>



<p><em>As much as I appreciate the opportunity to work for [company name], I have realised the role is not the right fit for my career aspirations</em><em>.</em></p>



<p><em>Nonetheless, I would like to thank you for the opportunity and support. I will continue to provide as much value as possible for the rest of my time here.</em></p>



<p><em>Thank you for your understanding.</em></p>



<p><em>Yours </em><em>sincerely</em><em>,</em></p>



<p><strong><em>[Name]</em></strong></p>



<h2><strong>Resignation letter example 3: retirement</strong></h2>



<p><em>Dear</em><strong><em> [Manager’s Name]</em></strong><em>,</em></p>



<p><em>Please accept this letter as notice of my retirement from the position of </em><strong><em>[Job Title]</em></strong><em>.&nbsp;</em></p>



<p><em>I am </em><em>sincerely</em><em> grateful to have spent the past </em><strong><em>[number of years]</em></strong><em> working at </em><strong><em>[company name]</em></strong><em>. I have enjoyed the challenges and have learnt many skills, not to mention the many friends I will miss.</em></p>



<p><em>I will provide a full and detailed handover to ensure a seamless transition when my contract terminates on </em><strong><em>[date]</em></strong><em>.</em></p>



<p><em>Please let me know what I can do to support this process.</em></p>



<p><em>Best regards,</em></p>



<p><strong><em>[Name]</em></strong></p>



<h2><strong><em>Notice the difference</em></strong></h2>



<p>It’s always best to leave your job on the best possible note. So handing in your notice in a professional manner is a great starting point. By expressing thanks and continuing to work hard, you’re setting the tone for a positive ending.</p>



<p class="has-text-align-center"><em>Ready for your next career move? Let</em><a href="http://www.sonicjobs.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em> </em><strong><em>SonicJobs</em></strong></a><em> be the bridge to take you from A to B! Browse over half a million live vacancies and apply from your phone!</em></p>


How to write a resignation letter


<p>Throughout the course of your career, you’ll find lots of opportunities to move roles. But knowing when to seize those opportunities and when to stay put can be a whole dilemma of its own. If you move around too often, you risk being branded a flakey<a href="https://blog.sonicjobs.net/what-is-job-hopping-and-is-it-bad-sonicjobs/?id=666"> <strong>job-hopper</strong></a>. But stick around too long and you risk stagnating while others<a href="https://blog.sonicjobs.net/how-to-ask-for-a-pay-rise-2/?id=552"> <strong>climb the ladder</strong></a>.</p>



<p>There is no hard and fast answer to this question, as it varies for each individual. But generally speaking, 3-4 years is a solid amount of time to spend in one job before moving onto the next. Yet it’s not uncommon for Gen Z workers to move around every 2 years, and employers are adapting to this trend.</p>



<h2><strong>6 tell-tale signs it’s time to move jobs</strong></h2>



<h3>1. <strong>Long tenure</strong></h3>



<p>If you’ve been with your company for several years, it could be time for a change. Switching employers is a great way to freshen up your professional expertise. It gives you a new perspective. On average, people move jobs every 4 years. But if you’re happy and fulfilled in your role, don’t fix what isn’t broken!</p>



<h3>2. <strong>Low salary</strong></h3>



<p>If your company can’t offer you a competitive salary, it may be time to look elsewhere. But be sure to do your research and check the<a href="https://blog.sonicjobs.net/what-is-the-average-salary-in-the-uk-sonicjobs/?id=874"> <strong>average UK salary</strong></a>  before rushing to hand in your notice. And remember not to only follow the dollar signs. A successful career is a healthy balance of good financial reward and fulfilment. </p>



<h3><strong>3. You’re feeling under-challenged</strong></h3>



<p>If your role has become monotonous, you’re well within your right to want to seek out a new challenge. This is especially true if you’re someone that thrives off a challenge. It’s important to be in an environment that stimulates you to be the best you can be.</p>



<h3>4. <strong>No room for progression</strong></h3>



<p>If you&#8217;ve hit the ceiling in your current company, it may be time to find a new opportunity where you can progress. Always check what progression opportunities are on offer. And it&#8217;s important to find out how to achieve those promotions. For example, is your promotion dependent on someone else leaving? You want a job that can promote you based on your merit, not based on whether the person above you has left.</p>



<h3>5. <strong>Poor relationship with manager</strong></h3>



<p>Having a poor dynamic with your manager and teammates is a red flag. You should have a relationship that has clear communication and trust. Support with your development is also a must. If you’re struggling to feel supported by your manager, this may tell you it’s time for a career move.&nbsp;</p>



<h3>6. <strong>Restructuring</strong></h3>



<p>Restructuring is a word that rings alarm bells for all employees. Usually this happens when new management or ownership comes into the company. The leadership team then finds ways to streamline and build a more efficient team. This usually means redundancies. If you hear the word ‘restructure’, talk to your manager about what this might mean for your job. The next stage is to make a backup plan and start<a href="https://blog.sonicjobs.net/how-do-i-apply-for-a-job-sonicjobs/?id=756"> <strong>applying for jobs</strong></a>.</p>



<h2><strong>The Great Escape</strong></h2>



<p>Deciding to move jobs is one of the most difficult decisions you can make. But you have to put your career progression and happiness first. Although you may feel loyal to your employer, you also need to make sure you’ve got opportunities in front of you.</p>



<p class="has-text-align-center"><em>Start your career move today with the</em><a href="http://www.sonicjobs.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em> <strong>SonicJobs</strong></em></a><em> app and find a job near you from your phone!</em></p>


How often should you move jobs?


<p>When it comes to looking for a new job, many people decide to <a href="https://blog.sonicjobs.net/what-is-job-hopping-and-is-it-bad-sonicjobs/?id=666"><strong>hop from one job</strong></a> straight into the next, without any gap. And generally speaking, employers tend to disapprove of long gaps on CVs. But are there circumstances where a short break between jobs might be beneficial?</p>



<p>In some cases, it’s totally beneficial to take a break between jobs. If you have the finances to support yourself during the break, go for it. This will give you time to recharge your batteries before launching into your next role. And it will also give you space to reflect on your next move.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-text-align-center"><p>&#8220;<em>Sometimes taking a step back is actually taking a step forward.</em>&#8220;</p></blockquote>



<h2>How long should your break be?</h2>



<p>Taking 1 to 4 weeks between jobs is a good amount of time to take. But, you may be in a position to take a little longer. Just ensure your break doesn’t exceed 3 months to prevent it from negatively impacting your CV. If it’s any longer, you may need to explain this when you <a href="https://blog.sonicjobs.net/how-to-update-your-cv/?id=482"><strong>update your CV.</strong></a> Employers may jump to conclusions about your work ethic if the break is longer than 3 months.</p>



<h2>Benefits of taking a break between jobs</h2>



<h3>Time for career reflection</h3>



<p>If your job is stressful, it can be extremely difficult to think straight. This makes it difficult to plan your next move. You may just take the first opportunity that comes your way to get away from the stresses of your current role. But you need to evaluate what you want for yourself. By taking time off, you have the opportunity to think clearly. And you no longer have the pressures of work weighing you down. Taking a break gives you more opportunity to <a href="https://blog.sonicjobs.net/what-job-is-right-for-me-sonicjobs/?id=560"><strong>find the right job for you</strong></a>.</p>



<h3>Reboot your system</h3>



<p>Going from one job straight into the next doesn’t give you much space to unwind. We all need a break to restore our energy and motivation levels. Once you return to work, you’ll find you have bags more energy and are able to perform much better. Sometimes taking a step back is actually taking a step forward.</p>



<h3>Pursue your passions</h3>



<p>Let’s be honest, sometimes the stresses of work get in the way of you pursuing your personal interests. At the end of a long day in the office, you don’t always have heaps of energy to do the things you enjoy. By taking time off, you get to spend some quality time on your hobbies, projects or interests. How about that room you’ve been meaning to decorate? Or that yoga class you’ve been meaning to start? Or that hike you’ve been meaning to go on? Your career break can be the perfect opportunity to indulge in your passions!</p>



<h2>Disadvantages of taking a break between jobs</h2>



<h3>Employer judgement</h3>



<p>So one of the downsides to taking a break between jobs is that some employers may disapprove of your break. They may assume you’re not motivated because you didn’t jump straight into a job. The good news is that more and more employers now understand the need to take a break. And in some cases, they see this as an advantage.</p>



<h3>Financial risk</h3>



<p>There can be some financial risk if you take a break without having another job in place. It may take longer to find a job than you thought. So you need to have some money in the bank so you don’t run into money problems. Always ensure you know your expenses. Have some money set aside to support you in case the job search takes a little longer than planned.</p>



<h3>Danger of becoming demotivated</h3>



<p>You may end up enjoying your break so much that you find it hard to return to the working world. After working hard for so long in one job, it can be refreshing to enjoy some time to yourself. This isn’t a bad thing. But just be mindful that you may experience the blues when you resume your job search.</p>



<h2>Break away</h2>



<p>Taking a break in between jobs is totally acceptable. And in many cases, extremely beneficial. It can give you more energy and clarity about your career. But we should point out that it’s okay if you don’t feel called to take a break in between jobs. You may be ready and raring to go straight into a new job.</p>



<p class="has-text-align-center"><em>Looking for your next career move? </em><a href="http://www.sonicjobs.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong><em>SonicJobs</em></strong></a><em> can help. Browse over half a million jobs on our app today!</em></p>


Should you have a break between jobs?


<p>When <a href="https://blog.sonicjobs.net/how-long-to-stay-in-a-job/?id=442"><strong>leaving a company</strong></a>, you’ll usually have to give a formal notice period. This is standard practice in most jobs. It gives the employer time to find a replacement or reallocate your workload. In today’s blog, we’ll be discussing everything about notice periods. By the end of this post, you&#8217;ll be confident to hand yours in!</p>



<p>Most notice periods for full-time permanent employees tend to be <strong>1 month.</strong> But this can be shorter or longer depending on a few things. Seniority and length of employment can influence your notice period. Lower level roles tend to be less time. But the notice period for senior level roles can last several months.</p>



<p>Here’s what we’ll cover in today’s blog:</p>



<ul><li>What is a notice period?</li><li>When to hand in your notice</li><li>What happens if you don’t work your notice period?</li><li>The 3 parts to a resignation letter</li></ul>



<h2>What is a notice period?</h2>



<p>A notice period is the length of time you need to continue working once you’ve told your employer you’ll be leaving. The length of this period will be written in your contract. It can be influenced by the amount of time you’ve worked for that company. Generally speaking, the longer you’ve worked at a company, the longer your notice period can be.</p>



<h2>When to hand in your notice</h2>



<p>It&#8217;s best to give notice once you’ve received a formal employment offer in writing and agreed a start date. Ideally, you’ll have signed your contract first but this isn’t always possible. Avoid handing in your notice when you&#8217;re still in the interview process. And wait until you&#8217;ve finished <a href="https://blog.sonicjobs.net/how-to-ask-about-salary-expectations/?id=460"><strong>negotiating your salary.</strong></a> Otherwise you could end up jobless if your new job falls through.</p>



<p>You may want a little <a href="https://blog.sonicjobs.net/should-you-have-a-break-between-jobs/?id=946"><strong>break between jobs</strong></a>. If that’s the case, you can hand in your notice whenever it suits you. But just make sure you have the finances to cushion you in case your job search takes a longer time.</p>



<h2>What happens if you don’t work your notice period?</h2>



<p>If you don’t work your notice period, you’re breaching your employment contract. As a result, your employer doesn’t have to pay you for the part of your notice period that you didn’t work. This may also hinder your chance of receiving a reference from your employer. So it’s best to work your notice period where possible and leave on good terms.</p>



<h2>The 3 parts to a resignation letter</h2>



<p>Your notice of resignation can be short and sweet. You should hand this over in-person as a hard copy, as well as over email. It’s a good idea to keep it factual, professional and polite. You can divide your notice into 3 parts:</p>



<h3>Part 1: The facts</h3>



<p>Let your employer know you’re writing to give formal notice, the position you’ve held, the length of your notice period and your end date.</p>



<p><em>Please accept this letter as formal notice that I, [John Smith], will be resigning from my position of [salesman]. In line with my contract, I am providing [1 month’s] notice and will therefore remain in my position until [25th January 2022].</em></p>



<h3>Part 2: The plan</h3>



<p>Include a couple of sentences to state your intent for your notice period.</p>



<p><em><em>During my notice period, I will be happy to continue performing my role to the best of my ability and will assist with any training requirements.</em></em></p>



<h3>Part 3: The thanks</h3>



<p>Finally, you want to end the letter on a positive note. So round the letter off with some sincere words of thanks.</p>



<p><em>I have enjoyed my role over the past [8 years] and the team will be sorely missed. Thank you for understanding my reasons for leaving to pursue a new challenge. I wish you all the best of luck for the future success of the company.</em></p>



<h2>Leave on good terms</h2>



<p>The most important thing to remember when giving your notice is to leave on the best possible terms. No matter what your <a href="https://blog.sonicjobs.net/top-reasons-for-leaving-a-job-sonicjobs/?id=526"><strong>reasons for leaving</strong></a> are, it’s never good to burn bridges. So keep it professional and give the required amount of notice. </p>



<p class="has-text-align-center"><em>Looking for a fresh start? </em><a href="http://www.sonicjobs.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong><em>SonicJobs</em></strong></a><em> have over half a million live jobs across the UK. Browse our app to get searching!</em></p>


How long is a notice period?


<p>Most people have come across the term P45&#8230; but not everyone knows what it means. You get the gist that it’s something important, but you’re not exactly sure what purpose it serves.</p>



<p>Fear not, today we’re telling you everything you need to know about your P45.</p>



<p>A P45 is a document issued to you by your employer when you leave your job, whether you were<strong> </strong><a href="https://blog.sonicjobs.net/how-many-hours-is-a-full-time-job-sonicjobs/?id=923"><strong>full-time</strong></a> or <a href="https://blog.sonicjobs.net/whats-the-difference-between-part-time-and-contract-work-sonicjobs/?id=568"><strong>part-time</strong></a>. It includes information relating to your salary, and how much you’ve paid in taxes over the past financial year.</p>



<p>In this blog, we’ll also cover:</p>



<ul><li>When do you get a P45?</li><li>Why is it important?</li><li>What’s in a P45?</li><li>How long is it valid for?</li><li>Can you start a job without it?</li><li>How do you get off emergency tax?</li><li>What other paperwork will you need for a new job?</li></ul>



<h2>When do you get a P45?</h2>



<p>Your P45 will be sent to you by email or by post when you leave a job. Your employer has to issue your P45 immediately once your final pay and tax deductions have been calculated. You shouldn’t need to request your P45. Instead, your employer should send it to you immediately.</p>



<h2>Why is it important?</h2>



<p>A P45 is important because it contains your tax code, and tells your employer how much you should be getting taxed.. Without the P45, you may end up being put on emergency tax and paying more tax than you should be.</p>



<h2>What’s in a P45?</h2>



<p>A P45 is made up of 4 sections: Part 1, Part 1A, Part 2 and Part 3. Your employer will send Part 1 to HMRC. You keep Part 1A for your own records. And you give Parts 2 and 3 to your new employer.</p>



<h2>How long is it valid for?</h2>



<p>Your P45 is only valid for the tax year it was created in. But don’t be so quick to throw it out. It’s best to keep it in your records for at least 22 months after the tax year has ended as HMRC are still able to refer back to it.</p>



<h2>Can you start a job without it?</h2>



<p>Yes, you can absolutely start a job without your P45. However, without a P45, your employer may ask you to fill out a ‘starter checklist’ and you could end up on an emergency tax code if your new employer doesn’t have the required information. Unfortunately, if you’ve lost your P45, you aren’t able to get a replacement.</p>



<p>If you’re on emergency tax, you’ll notice one of these codes on your payslip:</p>



<ul><li>1257 W1</li><li>1257 M1</li><li>1257 X</li></ul>



<h2>How do you get off emergency tax?</h2>



<p>If you’re put onto an emergency tax code, you’ll stay on it until the end of the tax year. At that point, you may be owed a tax rebate. If you think you’ve overpaid on tax, be sure to <a href="https://www.gov.uk/claim-tax-refund" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>claim it back!</strong></a></p>



<h2>What other paperwork will you need for a new job?</h2>



<p>Your P45 isn’t the only bit of paperwork you’ll need. Your employer will need to carry out identity checks and your right to work in the UK. Depending on your status, you may need to present your ID (usually either a driving license or passport), proof of address (utility bill, bank statement etc), your bank details, your national insurance number or other <a href="https://www.gov.uk/prove-right-to-work" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>proof of your right to work</strong></a>. </p>



<h2>New job on the horizon?</h2>



<p>Are you feeling called to take the next step in your career? Well, <a href="http://www.sonicjobs.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>SonicJobs</strong></a> is here to help. With over half a million live vacancies across the UK, we’re helping job seekers across hospitality, logistics, warehousing, IT, retail and more find their calling. </p>



<p>And the best part?&nbsp;</p>



<p>You can find your next role from your phone.</p>



<p class="has-text-align-center"><strong>Browse our <a href="http://www.sonicjobs.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">app</a> to find a job near you today!</strong></p>


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