Notice period

I am working in a very stressful job which i have been trying to get out of for the last year. Finally I was offered a job which i really want but the timing was very bad. I got the offer of a job the morning after my mother died. I am due to go back to work next week most likely Wednesday. I will have to hand in my notice and am due to give four weeks - I really do not want to work out my four weeks notice as i cannot cope with the stress at the moment - am i entitled just to leave or do i have to work my notice??

Thanks in advance.

As far as I know anyone can walk out of a job at anytime, its best to avoid that situation if you can, but you may risk not getting a reference and perhaps having to fight to get your p45 which you need for new job and also any back money due to you.

You could try to negotiate with your employer explaining that for personal and health reasons that you are unable to work out the notice period required and that you regret this very much or something like that perhaps.