When to Give Two Weeks’ Notice
An employee’s notice period should reflect the length of time they have worked for the company. If they have worked there for less than two years, then give at least one weeks’ notice. If they have worked there for over two years or their position is important, then two weeks’ notice is common courtesy.
When To Give One Weeks’ Notice Instead of Two
One weeks’ notice is better than no notice at all. In some cases, due to the start date of a new job, an employee might only be able to give one weeks’ notice.
Another huge argument for giving one week notice instead of two is if the employer might fire employees immediately upon receiving their resignation. Some employers can be petty or prefer resigning employees to not have access to sensitive information before they leave. If an employee believes they may be fired immediately, then giving one week notice means that they only risk going without pay for one week. Employees should talk with former employees about how their notice period was handled before deciding how much notice they will give.
Employees can reduce the damage to the relationship with their employers by apologising for the short notice period and saying their new job has a tight start date. They should do everything possible to preserve the relationship, especially if they plan to work in the same industry.
When Do Employees Need to Resign Immediately?
There may be cases where an employee needs to resign on the spot. These reasons include:
- The employer has asked the employee to do something illegal
- The employer has withheld wages
- The employee has been a victim of harassment or abuse and does not feel safe
The decision should be not made in the heat of the moment. Employees should discuss the decision with a lawyer if they plan to resign immediately. Often, the employee needs to bring the issue to the employer’s attention and give them a chance to fix it before having any legal claim.
Even in the worst instances, the employee should try and keep their dealings with the company professional. This will put them in a stronger standing for any kind of legal action, and protect them from any negative ramifications.