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The beginning of the end can take on a variety of forms. Perhaps you found something that pays more, people that treat you better, or you just got tired of your job.
Regardless of the reason, you’re not alone if you plan to quit. A staggering 4.4 million people have already made employment transitions this year. Let’s dive into how you can make a smooth transition.
What is two weeks’ notice?
A tradition of the 21st century workplace, two weeks’ notice represents an individual’s intent to resign. Some believe the practice began in the mid-20th century following the passage of fair labor laws.
Take note: two weeks’ notice began as a practice – not as federal or state law. No law has ever existed that mandates two weeks’ notice prior to resignation.
The policy has only ever existed in employee handbooks, dating back to times when people rarely quit their jobs.
Giving two weeks’ notice stood as a courtesy policy, or an agreement of respect. The employee expresses their intent to resign while giving the company time to fill the vacated spot.
We now live in a much more dynamic era. The ongoing process of recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic puts many in a position of reprioritization.
Should you give two weeks’ notice? What could go wrong if you don’t?
Why should you give two weeks’ notice?
The choice between one job that pays $14 per hour versus another that pays $18 per hour is not a hard one. The more difficult problem can present itself in leaving your current job.
Giving two weeks’ notice steps right into this situation. The practice essentially allows you to pursue what you want without awkwardly burning a bridge.
How can quitting without two weeks’ notice come back to bite you?
Employment References
Your sudden disappearance from work can leave your employer and/or manager hanging. Without you to fill your role, your former team may experience much more difficulty meeting goals.
As a result, your manager may have more negative opinions to express if contacted as a reference for another position. This can damage interviews and hiring processes for you in the future.
Broken Contract
You must carefully review all materials if you work as a contracted employee. Some companies require two weeks’ notice in employment contracts.
In the worst-case scenario, you may come face to face with litigation for violating contract terms.
On the flip side, giving two weeks’ notice can present you as an employee with some benefits.
Improved Transition
As previously mentioned, giving two weeks’ notice often stands as a show of good faith. Doing so can open opportunities for your employer to provide transitional assistance.
These opportunities can include positive work references, severance packages, or other benefits to help smooth the transition.
Even in the absence of such offerings, two weeks gives you time to find another source of income if you haven’t already. You may even find the period to allow for positive contemplation.
Additionally, giving two weeks’ notice can help maintain positive relationships you have at work. This may not seem like much at first glance.
Even so, such relationships can provide mental support and camaraderie in what could be a difficult transition.
Attractive Counteroffer
If your decision to resign came about from a better paying position, offering two weeks’ notice can still help. Your announcement could prompt your employer to try and beat the pay and/or benefits of the competing position.
When should you avoid giving two weeks’ notice?
Unfortunately, resignation does not only come from positive opportunity. Even despite the greatest efforts of policymakers and labor unions, employees experience injustices.
In these cases, the problem does not lie with pay, benefits, or even the work itself. The problem lies in a toxic environment, often created and fueled by toxic people.
If you decide to forgo giving two weeks’ notice, you forgo the set of benefits mentioned previously. This fact underscores the importance of a cost versus benefit analysis on your decision.
Essentially, you must decide if the stress and burdens of your job outweigh the loss of the potential benefits gained from giving your two weeks’ notice.
Let’s dive into why someone would want to do this.
Unfair Treatment
With how much time we invest, work easily takes an important place in our lives. We can thus feel powerfully hurt and offended when companies seem to leave us behind.
This scenario can take on a wide variety of forms.
Another employee with less seniority gets the promotion or the pay raise. Teammates leave for another company, and you get stuck with more work with the same pay.
Whatever happens, these types of situations can leave you feeling frustrated and unappreciated. You may want to pursue a conversation exploring why such a situation took place.
If you cannot find a valid reason for your unfair treatment, giving two weeks’ notice may not benefit you at all.
Toxicity or Hostility
Sometimes, we just need to hear it. If a company, organization, or a leader demonstrates any form of discriminatory behavior you must take action.
The exact action you should take can vary, from striking, quitting, or pursuing investigative or legal action.
If you decide just getting out of there is best, you should do so sooner rather than later. Don’t bother giving two weeks’ notice to an organization complacent with racism, sexism, or hate of any kind.
Even in the absence of blatant discrimination, leaving can sometimes represent your best option. Unfortunately, not all people in managerial positions possess strong leadership skills.
In the worst cases, these types of people can make work miserable and even contribute to the deterioration of your mental health.
No paycheck outweighs your mental health. Do not let abusive leaders trap you in a toxic work environment. Advocate for yourself and step away to start recovering.
Tips for the interim
You may find yourself in unfamiliar ground, whether you give two weeks’ notice or not. Navigating the period in between jobs can prove difficult and confusing.
The best way to protect yourself and advocate for your future involves meticulous planning. Be sure to devise a strategy so that an impulsive decision does not leave you in a vulnerable financial position.
As the saying goes, the hardest part will likely emerge just before the dawn. You will need to begin searching for a new job while working at your current position.
Let the hope for a new start motivate you to continue pushing through the difficulties of your current job. Patience is key to outlast the stresses you want to avoid.
At the same time, do not forget to find support. Even if you work under a toxic manager, you may find help in human resources or in other employees. Exhaust your options to make sure you do not crumble under your circumstances.
No one makes plans to leave a job. Even so, extenuating people and/or circumstances can push anyone to the brink.
Remember that we can overcome nearly any obstacle with effort, focus, and a centralized base of motivation. Advocate for yourself and take time to consider all of your possible options.