In general, a notice period is determined either by statutory provision or specified by the employment contract and becomes effective when there is an intention of bringing the employment relationship to an end. The details of the notice period should be one of the main terms and conditions of employment and be included in the employee’s written statement. Notice periods are actually part of the labor law too. Of course, we should follow the law and employment contract, but sometimes ethics play a vital role when it comes to notice periods. Here are a few quotes from HR professionals on what is considered the optimal notice period for leaving your job.
“I feel like it highly depends on the relationship the employee has with the company. If someone has been in a company for a very long time, out of personal values and respect they usually don’t strictly abide by the 1-2 months’ notice period. Some people choose to tell their boss and colleagues three or four months in advance.” -Nadia, Employee Relations Manager
“Once a notice has been served, either by the employee or the employer, the notice period is effective on the day after the notice was given. Relationships are important of course, but all that really matters is predominantly following the law and contract.” -Ahmad, Human Resources Manager
“Notice periods are very broad and differ from place to place. In many cases, I’ve witnessed that the employer may require the employee to stay away from work during the notice period. In employment terms, this is known as a ‘garden leave’ and is often used to stop employees working for competitors for a period of time or prevent the employee from accessing sensitive information. During this period, the employee is still covered by any contractual duties, for example confidentiality, until the end of the notice period.” -Dalia, Benefits Specialist
“Surprisingly, I worked at a company where the CEO would bluntly say “If you’re planning on leaving, leave right away!” There was no such thing as a notice period. He believed that if someone wants to leave, they instantly become a liability and will demotivate other employees.” -Hana, Human Resources Analyst
“Notice periods are solely based on a mutual agreement between both the employer and the employee. Sometimes urgent matters come up and following specific rules can sometimes be very difficult.” -Karim, Human Resources Manager
