The two-week notice is simply a warning you give to your employer informing them of your departure from the job two weeks in advance. Giving your employer a two-week notice is standard practice when resigning.
What is a two-week notice?
A two-week notice is just a warning you give to your employer informing them of your departure from the job and giving them time to prepare for your resignation and start recruiting someone else. If you have a work contract or a union agreement that specifies the notice period you must give, you should adhere to it. If there is no employment contract specifying that, a two-week notice is appropriate but not required. If your employer asks you to stay longer than two weeks, you can choose to stay, but you have no obligation to stay unless you have a contract stating otherwise.
Note: Your employer does not have to accept your two-week notice (unless it’s in the employment contract) and can terminate your employment immediately. Therefore, be prepared to leave your job as soon as you give notice. Make sure you have all the information you need from the work computer and any other information you wish to take with you ready to go.
How does a two-week notice work?
Transitioning from one job to another can feel daunting, but if you follow some simple rules, the process should go smoothly. Notify your boss first: Start by giving your notice to your boss. It may be tempting to avoid a face-to-face conversation, but in most cases, it’s best to give notice in person. It’s up to you how much detail you want to share about why you’re leaving. At the end of the conversation, it’s appropriate to shake your boss’s hand. After that, you’ll likely want to inform mentors, colleagues you work closely with, and coworkers who are friends. At some point, your manager will inform your entire team. Prepare a transition plan: Although it’s possible for your employer to terminate your employment immediately upon giving notice, it’s also likely you’ll continue working for an additional two weeks. Managers and coworkers will probably be eager to learn about your various projects. Prepare a transition plan to make your departure smooth. Be respectful: Even if you hate your job, coworkers, or don’t believe in the company’s mission, now is not the time to share negative opinions. When giving notice, try to focus on the positives about your time working together or on how much you learned while working at the company. If you can’t say anything nice sincerely, follow the old saying and don’t say anything at all. Plan to stay in touch: Use your two-week notice to connect with people on LinkedIn and other social media accounts, and ensure your coworkers have your personal email. Facilitate future communication – so if you need a recommendation or referral in the future, you can easily reach out.
In many cases, employees may want to document their resignation in a letter. Or you may prefer to write your resignation in an email.
What happens after giving notice?
Generally, the two-week period is considered a transition period. You may have several meetings with coworkers to review the status of projects and walk through your daily routine and tasks.
You may be asked to prepare documents, send emails to clients to introduce a new contact at the company, or share where important files are stored.
Be sure to…
In your turn, ensure that all the relevant people are properly informed that you will be leaving the company.
It may be tempting to relax during this time, but resist the urge. Just as you worked hard to leave a good impression during interviews, it’s also important to leave a strong impression at the end of your job. This will help ensure that coworkers and managers think of you positively, which will be beneficial if you need a reference or if you work together in the future.
When You Need to Resign Immediately
Under normal circumstances, providing two weeks’ notice is standard practice. However, there may be times when you cannot stay that long.
Whether it’s due to workplace issues or personal circumstances, you may need to leave immediately. It may be necessary to resign without two weeks’ notice for several reasons, such as:
- You have been asked to do something illegal.
- Your employer is withholding pay.
- You have been a victim of harassment or abuse.
If this is the case, it’s best to remain professional in dealing with the company. Speak to your HR department, and make sure you have a support system in place while you are leaving your job.
Examples of Resignation Letters
Review examples of resignation letters and emails that provide two weeks’ notice, as well as for other circumstances.
- Two Weeks’ Notice Resignation Letter
- Two Weeks’ Notice Resignation Email
- Resignation Letter Examples for Various Circumstances
- Resignation Email Examples
Key Takeaways: Two weeks’ notice is the advance warning you give your employer that you will resign from your job. It is not required, but it is customary to extend this courtesy to your employer. Your employer may allow you to work the full two weeks, or they may ask you to stay longer (which you can refuse). On the other hand, they may ask you to leave immediately, so be prepared. Two weeks’ notice does not apply if you have an employment agreement that specifies a different notice period before resignation.
Source: https://www.thebalancemoney.com/what-is-two-weeks-notice-2062048
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