So, I’ve given several two week notices throughout my career. Unfortunately, I recently had to give one over the phone instead of in person. I only report to one guy and he was on vacation. I could have just given it to HR but that would have felt scummy. I called him and gave him my notice then sent him a letter of resignation. Feels bad man. Anyone else ever have to give a two week notice in an awkward/unfortunate way?
What country are you in? I’m not aware of any with any legally mandated notice time (mine is explicitly opposite–employment is “at-will”)
Germany.
The minimum notice time scales with employment duration (if the company terminates the contact) or is four weeks (if the employee quits). However, the contact can state a longer period; this is often done to make the notice time symmetrical. The notice period for the employee can never exceed that for the company. Usually, contacts can only be terminated effective at the end of a month so that can extend things a bit further.
At-will employment is not a thing in Germany except for informal arrangement like paying the neighbor’s kid to mow the lawn. Even during the trial period (a period of typically six months at the start of an employment where firing the employee is much easier) two weeks are the absolute minimum.
Sorry but that sounds so American. Are you USAmerican?
Because nearly every other first world country in the world doesn’t have at will, but rather worker rights to have a certain notice period.
Canadian/American. The counterpart here is unemployment insurance, which your company has to pay if you’re laid off until you get another job.
It’s a common thing in employment contracts, its where 2wk notice comes from, but more valued positions can have longer notices. It usually works both ways except in certain circumstances. It may or may not actually be legal but if legal could supersede “at will” depending on the specifics.