I am thinking of booking a round the world ticket for later this year but I am just about to be put on a major project at work which will no doubt last up until then (at least). I do not wish to inform my manager I am leaving but I also do not wish to leave on bad terms. The thing the current view is that my project will finish mid Sept but based on previous experience I think this is extremely aggressive. I think it will last up until maybe December. I want to go in Mid November. Any advice? Do I have any obligation to stay? If they were to make me redundant would they give me more notice then they had to? It will really leave them in a mess if i left and i would hate to do it to my manager but a few mates are buying a round the world and I definitely want to go...

Frankly, it will be their own fault for not putting a long enough notice period in your contract of employment. They should think things through a little and update their terms and conditions (including pay if necessary) if this kind of thing is important to them. Funny, isn't it, how employers think it's perfectly reasonable to ditch an employee with only a month's notice (when said employee may well have a mortgage and family to support), yet they start shrieking and throw a barney when someone does the same to them.

And incidentally, if 3 months (for example) isn't enough notice for them, then they need to re-think how their team is structured with a view to building in a little more resilience.

1.Unless they have legal cause to do so they cannot fire you; redundancy is legally complex, requires a consultation period and they have to then not have anyone doing that particular role for a period (I think 12 Months) which is evidently not going to be the case. So what are they going to do if you tell them you are going on a trip in November, want to give them plenty of notice so you can help them plug the gap on the project, and will work your butt off until you go because you are a team player etc? Nothing. 2. If your not being on the project will cause problems enough for you to worry about what your company will think and how they will react, then surely you can understand that it is not in THEIR interests for you to leave - or being made to leave - any earlier than is absolutely necessary? 3. Most companies - and there are exceptions I freely admit - do not deserve your loyalty; you are a cash cow to be milked for the partners and when the market turns against them you will be out. Companies have no conscience only shareholders and profit margin, so think like they do; you are your only shareholder I presume (no family etc ) so act in your own self and best interest. It's a dog eat dog world out there. In some countries literally (had a suspicious ruby the other week...).

do they offer unpaid leave or sab? I just took 6 months off and came straight back into my role. Had to apply for it and get it agreed but my firm was supportive.