I have to give 2 months notice where i work, ive not put it in yet and my provisional start date for a new position is in 7 weeks, does it matter if you delay your start date by a couple of weeks? I wanted to make sure everything was back first before i put it in and i also want a week off between jobs. Is this unproffesional or will it not really matter since they have only given me a provisional start date?

I think you posted on the wrong thread by accident?

Oops how do i move it?

Unless the OP is actually Simon Cowell?

Alert your own post and ask the mods to move it

You could depending on the company, but it might not look tbh.

Its unprofessional, was there any valid excuse for not handing it in 2 months before, if so let them know.

It isn't unprofessional particularly if you have delayed handing in your notice because of a delay in getting contracts signed, which is entirely the right thing to do. The start date is provisional so contact your new employer to say that you need to move it to a later one. They shouldn't have a problem with that.

Alternatively if you have any holiday to take you can use that to reduce your notice period. Or you can negotiate your notice period with your current employer,although of course they may say no.

All of these options are fairly common and none of them will be considered unprofessional by any one who has any experience of such things.

Oh and congratulations on your new job

The contract is already signed but obviously im waiting for medical checks, dbs checks etc to complete so dont want to screw myself over.

I would suggest you speak to your new employer and just tell them that you don't want to hand your notice until the checks are completed since the job offer is conditional on them. They should have no problem with that.

They might try and persuade you that there should be no problem with them and then you need to consider whether you think there are likely to be any issues. Bottom line is though that they should understand if you want to play it by the book or be prepared to make a commitment that the job isn't conditional on those checks.

I think it depends on the new job really.

When I started my job two years ago there was a 3 month training course to complete. There were 12 of us in training so if I hadn't started on the date in my contract, I wouldn't have been able to take the job. I would have been unable to start the course later than the others.

Speak to your new employers and ask what they suggest.

1 give your notice immediately

2 tell your new employer

Me personally I would just tell my current employer when I'm leaving, the 2 months notice thing wouldn't bother me.

You simply approach your current employers and ask to negotiate or, more favourable is to ask your new employers to extend the start date by a week. Or take a weeks leave off in current job. There are lots of easy options open to you. A provisional start date is open to negiotation BTW.
And no a week off is not unprofessional. You are simply taking time off in between jobs. They will be understanding.

Not if you have accrued holiday pay. You can't simply dictate to them ad this will be in breach of contract. Negotiations are the way forward.

2 months is quite a long period of notice, they may reduce it for you if you explain the situation.

It's quite common really. My employer has recently switched everyone over to two months notice (each way).

At a former employer, I was on 6 months notice and a colleague was on 2 *years* (each way) notice.

If the OP isn't worried about "burning bridges", just stop going to your old employer and go to the new one instead. There is very little that can be done about it.

6 months is ridulous, but 2 years is barmy!!!

They legally can't pay you for any time worked, overtime or holiday due.

However, be professional and talk to your new employer or take the final week as holiday in your existing job.

Too right,when you are leaving,who gives a toss what they think

Maybe his balance gives a toss. And what happens if the new job does not work out? He may want to ask for his old job back.