Notice Period
A notice period is a duration of time that you must legally provide if you wish to quit your job and terminate a working or contractual relationship. This sets the minimum amount of time that you must inform other parties before ending the agreement.
Understanding how notice periods work and when they must be followed are essential considerations when you enter into any legal contract.
Find out more about how these important terms work functionally and what you must and mustn’t do with regarding to the notice you give.
Contractual Notice Periods and How They Work
Notice periods are built into many contracts for a wide range of reasons. This is primarily because they provide a reasonable amount of time for parties in the agreement to plan and prepare if another signatory drops out.
In almost every case, notice must be given in writing so there is a hard record of your intention to terminate the contract. This can then be used as proof that you have or haven’t followed the terms and conditions of your agreement.
Notice Periods on Resignation Letters
Notice periods are most commonly used on resignation letters. When you decide to leave your current job, providing this will be the first step in the process of exiting the company.
When you complete a resignation letter template to quit a job, you must make sure the notice you give complies with the terms of your employment contract. Your employer will set the minimum period based on the seniority and importance of your role in the company.
So, why is a notice period important?
It is specifically designed to allow your employers sufficient time to organize for your replacement.
Usually, you will be expected to provide at minimum 2- 4 weeks of notice, using a two weeks notice letter. However, if you’re in a more significant role such as a CMO or CFO, or CEO position you might need to provide several months’ notice as you will be harder to replace.
What is a Usual Notice Period?
A Usual Notice Period is normally the standard 2-week notice for most roles. For higher-level leadership roles, the Usual Notice Period is frequently longer.
Not every company has the same rules or expectations when it comes to notice periods.
In the United States, employment contracts that are at-will can be terminated without any statutory notice period.
However, once you are an employee continuously for a month, you legally need to notify your employers that you plan to resign.
How to Submit a Notice
The way you choose to leave your position is important. When submitting your notice, here are useful ideas to keep in mind.
- Choose your final day: If you had a lot of responsibilities, it would be best to give more than 2-weeks notice.
- Speak with your employer: Give your employer the notice in-person before submitting the letter of resignation.
- Write a formal letter:It not only shows you’re a good employee, but it’s wise to have your letter on file. Use our resignation letter template to create your formal letter.
- Advise your coworkers: It is a good gesture to let those who you have been working closely with know you are leaving.
- Prepare your coworkers: Give your coworkers tips, so that they know how to do your job well.
What Happens If You Don’t Follow The Notice Period
Not following the notice period set in your contract can lead to a breach and, potentially, significant legal headaches.
This means, providing no notice or insufficient notice that you are leaving your job can be a danger to your career, both at your current company and for any potential employers.
If you have to leave an agreement early and can’t provide minimum notice you could be held to the contract and therefore subject to any fees or duties you previously agreed to. You will need to negotiate with the other party to minimize or fully end these obligations before the contract was originally due to end.
If however, you commit a significant breach of the contract by not complying with it at all the matter could be taken to court. In this case, you still may be legally held to the contract or successfully sued by the damaged party.
A notice period is a duration of time that you must legally provide if you wish to quit your job and terminate a working or contractual relationship. This sets the minimum amount of time that you must inform other parties before ending the agreement.
Understanding how notice periods work and when they must be followed are essential considerations when you enter into any legal contract.
Find out more about how these important terms work functionally and what you must and mustn’t do with regarding to the notice you give.
Contractual Notice Periods and How They Work
Notice periods are built into many contracts for a wide range of reasons. This is primarily because they provide a reasonable amount of time for parties in the agreement to plan and prepare if another signatory drops out.
In almost every case, notice must be given in writing so there is a hard record of your intention to terminate the contract. This can then be used as proof that you have or haven’t followed the terms and conditions of your agreement.
Notice Periods on Resignation Letters
Notice periods are most commonly used on resignation letters. When you decide to leave your current job, providing this will be the first step in the process of exiting the company.
When you complete a resignation letter template to quit a job, you must make sure the notice you give complies with the terms of your employment contract. Your employer will set the minimum period based on the seniority and importance of your role in the company.
So, why is a notice period important?
It is specifically designed to allow your employers sufficient time to organize for your replacement.
Usually, you will be expected to provide at minimum 2- 4 weeks of notice, using a two weeks notice letter. However, if you’re in a more significant role such as a CMO or CFO, or CEO position you might need to provide several months’ notice as you will be harder to replace.
What is a Usual Notice Period?
A Usual Notice Period is normally the standard 2-week notice for most roles. For higher-level leadership roles, the Usual Notice Period is frequently longer.
Not every company has the same rules or expectations when it comes to notice periods.
In the United States, employment contracts that are at-will can be terminated without any statutory notice period.
However, once you are an employee continuously for a month, you legally need to notify your employers that you plan to resign.
How to Submit a Notice
The way you choose to leave your position is important. When submitting your notice, here are useful ideas to keep in mind.
- Choose your final day: If you had a lot of responsibilities, it would be best to give more than 2-weeks notice.
- Speak with your employer: Give your employer the notice in-person before submitting the letter of resignation.
- Write a formal letter:It not only shows you’re a good employee, but it’s wise to have your letter on file. Use our resignation letter template to create your formal letter.
- Advise your coworkers: It is a good gesture to let those who you have been working closely with know you are leaving.
- Prepare your coworkers: Give your coworkers tips, so that they know how to do your job well.
What Happens If You Don’t Follow The Notice Period
Not following the notice period set in your contract can lead to a breach and, potentially, significant legal headaches.
This means, providing no notice or insufficient notice that you are leaving your job can be a danger to your career, both at your current company and for any potential employers.
If you have to leave an agreement early and can’t provide minimum notice you could be held to the contract and therefore subject to any fees or duties you previously agreed to. You will need to negotiate with the other party to minimize or fully end these obligations before the contract was originally due to end.
If however, you commit a significant breach of the contract by not complying with it at all the matter could be taken to court. In this case, you still may be legally held to the contract or successfully sued by the damaged party.