Reasons to Not Give Two Weeks’ Notice

Do You Have to Give Two Weeks’ Notice?

One thing that many younger workers have come to realize as they gain experience in the workforce is how much better their parents had it than they do. One common piece of advice given by baby boomers to their millennial children is to give a two weeks’ notice when you are about to leave a job. This is also a common request made by employers to current employees. 

While that might have been good advice half a century ago, many workers today who continue to provide that requested two weeks’ notice when they intend to change jobs have come to regret it. Here are three reasons that giving a two weeks’ notice can be a major mistake:

3 Reasons to Leave a Job Without Notice 

Employers Frequently Fire Employees Who Give Two Weeks’ Notice

Not sure what to expect when you give your two weeks’ notice, and how it might impact your finances? According to a Bank of America survey, 47% of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck. When you are in those tough circumstances, losing even one paycheck can be devastating to your financial wellbeing. 

That brings us to the next question, and the first major reason to leave a job without notice: Can you get fired after putting in your 2 weeks’ notice? Here’s the facts: Employers are not required to allow workers who give their two weeks’ notice to continue working—and they frequently terminate that workers’ employment on the spot. That is quite the response to an employee doing what the employer requested and giving that two weeks’ notice, but many of today’s employers are not as respectful to their current workforce as they were in past generations. 

Unless you have an employment contract or union contract, there is no legal recourse for an employer terminating your employment for giving a two-week notice. You are left without pay in the two weeks between your termination and your new job. This could and should have been avoided by refusing to follow the antiquated tradition of giving two weeks’ notice.

The Employer Would Not Give You a Two Weeks’ Notice When They Fire You

One thing many people don’t consider until it’s too late is the lack of reciprocity in their relationship with their employer. While there is this tradition of giving two weeks’ notice when you are leaving an employer, there is no corresponding tradition of employers giving two weeks’ notice if they intend to fire you. You can ask employees of recent layoffs if they were given two weeks’ notice prior. Spoiler Alert: They were not. 

Sometimes employers do offer severance, but this is not legally required. Severance agreements are also not charity. They are frequently only given when the employer fears they may be exposed to liability for discrimination or other wrongdoing. Severance is rare and any severance agreement you receive should be immediately reviewed by legal counsel as you are probably giving away more rights than you realize.

The Current Employer May Seek to Damage Your Relationship with the New Employer

There has been a recent rash of individuals that have reached out to the Hurm Law Firm with major problems with their new employer. They gave their old employer two weeks’ notice and that old employer’s management reached out to the new employer and besmirched the employee’s character in an effort to stop the new employer from hiring their worker. While this could be unlawful—a tortious interference with a contractual relationship—it can be very difficult to prove if the new employer does not end up hiring you as they frequently are not interested in providing you evidence for suing the old employer and getting involved in litigation where it would see no financial benefit.

By not giving your current employer notice until you leave for the new job, you do not give that employer the opportunity to interfere with your new career opportunity until you’ve already built relationships with the new employer.

When to Give a Two Weeks’ Notice

Now, there are exceptions where perhaps you should consider giving two weeks’ notice. In certain professions, including those related to health and safety, you may need to provide notice to ensure that the community’s health and safety is not put at risk. Additionally, there are some employment fields that are very niche and the employment options are narrow. You may need to keep your relationship strong with your current employer because you may want to return to its employment someday. These are things you need to consider when deciding whether or not to give two weeks’ notice.

Understand Your Rights with Hurm Law Firm 

Considering leaving your job and need legal guidance? Whether you’re facing challenges with your employer or simply want to better understand your rights, the Hurm Law Firm is here to help. Schedule a free consultation online or call (216) 860-1922 to get one scheduled as soon as possible.