Many employees will give two weeks’ notice to their employer before they quit their job. In fact, some employees believe this is mandatory—as do some employers.
But the reality is that this isn’t required at all. At-will employees are not bound by any laws that say they have to provide notice when they want to quit their jobs. Technically, an employee could just call in that morning and say that they are not returning, and their employer would have to mail them their final check. They don’t have to give advance notice or work for even a minute more than they would like to.
Do they have an employment contract?
One thing that can change this is when someone has an employment contract. They do have to follow the stipulations in the contract, which may go beyond any employment laws. If the contract says they have to give two weeks’ notice, then it would be a breach of that agreement if they failed to do so.
Why is two weeks’ notice common?
Even though it isn’t required, employees often do give two weeks’ notice, and the reason is that they want to get a good recommendation from their former employer in the future. Giving advance notice makes it easier for the employer to find a replacement and helps the business function properly. But if an employee doesn’t care about a future recommendation, they’re certainly not obligated to provide notice.
Resolving a dispute
Issues like this sometimes lead to disputes between employers and employees. Those on both sides of the issue need to understand current labor laws and all the legal options they have to address the dispute.