In many professional work environments, there is an expectation from both employees and employers that someone who quits their job will give two weeks’ notice. When many employees accept a new job offer at another business, they will say that they cannot start for two weeks because they have to finish out their term at their former place of employment.
But is two weeks’ notice actually required? Or is it just a professional courtesy and a matter of standard business etiquette?
At-will employees and contractual employees
It depends on the type of employment. For many at-will employees, who do not have any type of employment contract in place, there is no obligation to give two weeks’ notice. There is no such requirement under the law, and any employee technically has the ability to quit at any time. Employers, likewise, are allowed to fire employees or terminate their positions at any time.
This changes for contractual employees, who may have agreed to stipulations that go beyond standard employment and labor laws. If an employee signs a contract stating that they must give two weeks or a month of notice, then the employee does still need to uphold their side of that agreement. If they immediately quit in violation of their contract, it may lead to litigation, especially if an employer believes that the sudden departure has financially harmed the business.
Employment disputes happen for many reasons, and the above is just one example. For both employers and employees who find themselves facing such a dispute, it is important to know what legal options there are to seek a resolution.
