When some employees quit their jobs, they assume that they have to give two weeks’ notice. It’s what they have always done. They know that their employer expects it. They assume that they have to give notice before they leave, even when taking another job.
But do you actually have to give two weeks’ notice? It depends on the nature of your employment arrangement. If you are an at-will employee, there is no requirement for you to give notice. It doesn’t have to be two weeks or even two hours. You can quit whenever you want and you alone can decide if you want to give your former employer any notice.
If you’re a contractual employee, on the other hand, you have to honor the contract. It may require you to give advance notice, depending on how it was written. This is because the contract modifies your employment obligations. Without a contract in place, the law itself does not require any notice.
Why do so many people give notice?
The big reason why employees will give two weeks’ notice is that it’s a courtesy to their employer. They know that the employer has to find another employee to fill the position. This can take time and may be difficult. By giving their employer two weeks to find a replacement, the employee hopes that they will get a good reference in the future.
But if you’re working at a job that you never plan to use as a reference, there will not be any negative ramifications if you just leave the position. Your former employer may not be happy about it, but they can’t sue you or take other legal action. You have the option to leave whenever you want – just as your employer has the option to fire you whenever they want.
If you do find yourself in an employment dispute, take the time to carefully look into your legal options.