notice period

Hiya
can a company back date a notice period ??
On being made redundant
was sent a letter saying that my notice period would be starting from 10th april and my last day would be 29th may (i've been with the company for 7 years) which is right , was then told verbally on the 26th march that my notice period might be brought forward can they do this and if so can they do this from before the date of the 26th????
many thanks
cat

Hi Catrina

Your notice period will start on the day it is formally served to you - if it is posted to you, it will be the day on which you receive it. It cannot be backdated. HOwever, if your employer has indicated that it would be served at some point in the future, there is nothing to stop them serving it earlier than that (as long as they have followed proper dismissal procedures of course).

Regards

Pete