What's a Notice Period? How Much Do I Give? (2022)

What is a notice period? Throughout your career, you can feel the desire to quit your current position in search of a better opportunity. Even if you are ready to go immediately, it is courteous to provide your employer with a few weeks' notice. This enables them to plan for your departure and outsource your responsibilities.

What's a notice period?

A notice period is the time period during which your employer is aware of your impending departure before you actually leave. In essence, it begins with the submission of your letter of resignation and concludes on your last day of work. When you leave a job, it is customary to give your employer a few week's notice to prepare.

Related: Two weeks' notice letter

Why is a notice period important?

A notice period establishes communication between you and your employer. If you leave a job without giving adequate notice, your colleagues can be forced to hurry to assume your duties and fill your position. By providing adequate warning, you demonstrate respect and courtesy.

Notifying your employer of your departure date in advance enables them to plan for your departure. This way, they can begin writing a job description, reviewing applications, and interviewing individuals to fill your position. Additionally, it allows them to outsource your responsibilities to other employees who can take over in the meantime. Once you have given your notice, begin assisting your team with the transfer. Whether it's creating training materials or demonstrating how to do a task to a coworker, this will help you set your team up for success.

It's preferable to go from old employment on amicable terms, and providing notice is one method to do so. When your staff is prepared for your departure, they can be more enthusiastic than resentful. You never know when you'll need to request a favor from an old coworker or boss. By departing in the most amicable manner possible, you can maintain these professional ties, which frequently come in help when you want a reference.

Related: Resignation letter

How long do I need for a notice period?

A notice period of two weeks is the most usual length. This should provide your team sufficient time to assume your responsibilities. Your notice period can also vary according on your job and seniority. For instance, if you were a corporate CEO, you could inform your staff months in advance. This manner, you can assist the business in identifying and training your replacement. Similarly, a manager or supervisor can extend the notice period beyond two weeks.

In general, use caution while filing your last notice. You'll want to take into account any existing tasks and your coworkers' schedules. Bear in mind that there is not always an ideal moment to quit a job. While it is critical to provide ample notice to your team, you can also consider your own best interests. After all, it's thrilling to embark on a new career phase.

Related: Employee Departure

Typical notice period times

For the majority of people, the standard notice time is two weeks or one month. Employee notice durations are generally defined by the employment contract you signed when you were employed, so verify it prior to providing any sort of notice.

This way, you can mentally prepare for the change and provide your new company with the information necessary to schedule an acceptable start date.

Individuals who have been employed for more than two years are expected to give their employer at least one month's notice. A 30-day notice period will allow your company to appropriately find a successor and ideally train them.

However, if you have worked with the company for less than two years, a two-week notice period is sufficient.

These are proposed deadlines if you are in a nation where appropriate notice durations are not established. However, many nations have specified particular notice periods that you should be aware of if you quit or are terminated from a job.

United Kingdom (UK)

In the United Kingdom, statutory redundancy notice durations are at least one week if the employee has worked for the company for less than two years and one week for each year worked between two and twelve years.

It is advised that you provide 12 weeks notice if you have been working for more than 12 years.

These standards are considered the bare minimum, and many employees and companies can choose for even lengthier notice periods if necessary.

Poland

Both the employee and the employer are entitled to the same notice time if they want to terminate their agreement.

Unless expressly agreed upon otherwise, two weeks notice is anticipated if employed for less than six months, one month notice if hired for less than three years, and three months notice if employed for more than three years.

Denmark

Denmark provides what are known as Funktionrloven notice periods for white-collar professionals.

This law governing the legal relationship between employees and employers requires one month's notice if the employee has been employed for less than six months, three months if the employee has been employed for less than three years, four months if the employee has been employed for less than six years, five months if the employee has been employed for less than six years, and six months if the employee has been employed for more than nine years. These are some of the world's longest mandatory notice periods.

How to submit a notice

When filing your notice, follow these steps:

Plan the last day

Give your employer at least two weeks' notice to prepare for your departure. If you are considering further notice, evaluate your position within the company and the number of duties you already have. Additionally, speak with your new job to arrange for a start date. Consider if you want to take some time off in between jobs or whether you want to leap immediately into your next career.

Talk with the supervisor/manager

Give your notice in person prior to filing your letter of resignation. Schedule a time to speak with your boss or supervisor to inform them of your impending departure from the company. Although you are not required to disclose every aspect of your choice, you might provide them with some basic information. The most critical piece of information to mention is your last date of work. Additionally, you might explain how you will allocate your job during this session.

Put it in writing

Writing a formal resignation letter benefits both you and your employer's human resources department. This way, they will have a record of your resignation and can refer to it if necessary. When composing your letter, adhere to the same formatting conventions as a formal business letter.

Include the following information in it:

• Contact information: This section includes your complete name, job title, mailing address, email address, and phone number.
• Date: This assists your employer in determining the precise date on which you sent your final notice.
• Resignation statement: Include your end date of employment in this area. Additionally, you can explain why you're leaving the company. This is especially true if you wish to provide constructive criticism to your management. Bear in mind that your resignation letter will leave a lasting impression, so choose your words carefully.
• A note of appreciation: Write one or two sentences expressing your appreciation for this chance. You could even express how much you're going to miss your team. In general, it is courteous to wish your former coworkers and employer well.
• Signature: Along with closure and your written name, sign your name physically.

Let the team know

Following the submission of your last notice, you can inform the remainder of the coworkers of your intention to depart. If you work closely with a small group of people, you can choose to inform them personally. You can inform your colleagues via a company-wide email or a well-crafted note.

Set guidance

Now that everyone is aware of how much time you have remaining at the company, begin preparing your staff for your departure. Inquire of your management how you can assist. You can need to teach employees how to perform specific jobs, create how-to manuals, and organize your files. Similarly, you can like to arrange some sort of get-together prior to departing in order to obtain closure.

Common questions

Common questions from job seekers.

What is a minimum notice period?

Usually, one week.

What are typical employee notice periods?

Two weeks time.

What is a good notice period? How much notice should I provide?

A typical notice time is one month or one week. A month's notice provides you with a decent amount of time to seek a new replacement. A one-week or two-week notice period is customary for employees who have worked with you for less than two years.

What should I put for the notice period when applying for a job?

Mention the length of your notice period and your reason for resigning. Write a quick statement expressing your gratitude for your time at the company.

Related resignation resources

• How to Quit a Job Over Text
• How to Quit a Job Without Another Lined Up
• How to Quit Amazon
• How to Quit a Part-Time Job
• Reasons for Leaving a Job
• How to Tell Your Boss You're Quitting
• Quitting a Job After 3-Months
• Notice Period
• Two Weeks Notice
• Resignation Email
• Rescind Resignation
• What is Job Poaching
• May We Contact This Employer
• How to Ask for a Letter of Recommendation