Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[inka]

Hello, my friends.

I'd like to call what's the correct word used in English for the period of 30 days of paid work offered by a company to their employees in case they are dismissed. Is it "prior notice" or "prior advice"? Could you exemplify that in a sentence?

Someone has just sent me this explanation:

"I believe you are talking about Notice Of Termination.

Example "My employer gave me prior notice of my termination, as the company was in financial trouble."

It is often not required if a company is truly "Firing" someone for misconduct, but is often offered if it due to company circumstances.

When the employee has left, but still gets paid, then the pay is called "severance pay"."


Is that correct?!!

Thank you in advance.
Inka

[asterix]

It's called, probation. It's usually longer than one month and it gives the company a chance to see if they like the way you work, and you a chance to see if you like working for them.
During the period, you can quit, or they can fire you, without giving notice or a reason.

[inka]

Thanks for your help, Asterix, but I guess we're speaking of different things. According to the dictionary, PROBATION is:

(A process or period in which a person's fitness, as for work or membership in a social group, is tested.)

Then, I guess the word you gave me refers to an "experience period", in order to decide if the person will be hired or not. My doubt is totally the opposite, it's related to when the person has already been fired due to the fact that this company has been sold, for instance. That company needs to pay the employees for a period of 30 days... how do I call that in English?!!

Thanks again.
Inka

[Lorikeet]

Maybe you are thinking of "severance pay" then.

[inka]

Hello, Lorikeet.

Thanks for your help. However, I guess you're talking about the money received during that period. What I still need to know is what the period of 30 days is called in English. The employees receive a document which mentions the company will no longer need their service after the period of 30 days...

In Portuguese we call it "aviso pr�vio"; and the verb used is "cumprir"; "cumprir o aviso pr�vio".

Is there something called "termination notice" or "notice of termination"?!

But thank you, anyway.
Inka

[CP]

Yes, sometimes companies let people go / fire them / give them the sack / lay them off by sending them notices of termination, also sometimes called pink slips or, more informally and a little ironically, walking papers. A lay-off implies that the person might be re-hired when business picks up. The sack implies a more permanent situation.

In the U.S., the person speaking in your first quoted sentence might say, "I got a pink slip today. The company is in financial trouble, and it's laying off half the men."
_________________
You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

[inka]

My dear friend CP,

Thanks a lot for explaining me about the whole situation. That's exactly what I needed!

Wishing you all the best,
Inka