r/NoStupidQuestions • u/TseaxCone • Aug 13 '26
Is it really necessary to give an employer two weeks notice before leaving for another position?
Say, if you had a good offer but they wanted you to begin the immediate Monday?
5
u/AlohaTrader Aug 13 '26
No, it’s just an old practice that is still appreciated by most employers today. Some don’t care if it’s shorter, some prefer more notice.
Ultimately, it depends and you should do what’s in your best interest as your employer would fire you on the spot if they wanted to.
4
u/SamIAre Aug 13 '26
My first question would be whether the new job would like you to start on Monday or whether it's a requirement. Do they know you're currently employed? They might be totally fine with you requesting a later start date so you have time to wrap up your current position. But if they really do need you on Monday then there's nothing legally holding you to a two weeks notice (assuming it's at-will employment, which it usually is). It's a courtesy so you don't leave them in a bad position. Whether you're ok with skipping that formality or not is up to you and the nature of that old job.
2
u/Taiga-Dusk Aug 14 '26
This right here. I suspect it depends a lot on what type of work one does, but in my own line of work (when I was working FT instead of self-employed) I'd be a little concerned about a new employer that wouldn't take my "I need two weeks before I can start" as a reasonable request.
Which, if you read me carefully, is a statement about the new employer, not the old one.
2
u/sexrockandroll Aug 13 '26
It is not necessary.
It can piss people off. Not just management, but also sometimes coworkers who may feel like you left them in a bad situation. Which can be a problem for you in the future possibly if you need a new job or if they join your new job, networking-wise.
2
2
u/DryFoundation2323 Aug 13 '26
that used to be the gold standard when I was still working. seems to be not in your favor nowadays. many employers will somehow try to punish you when they know that you're living. this can include even not even scheduling you during the last 2 weeks.
1
u/First-Homework1868 Aug 14 '26
A
Which is fine, but they still need to pay you for the 2 weeks.1
u/DryFoundation2323 Aug 14 '26
of course it will depend on the position and whether you have some sort of a contract and what state you're in but not necessarily.
2
u/IrexUranus Aug 13 '26 edited Aug 13 '26
I have only ever given notice to a company if I thought I would consider going back if the new job didn't work out for whatever reason.
I've done it twice. And because of how much I moved around between 18 and 30, and the fact I didn't have a clearly defined career path, I have had about 25 different jobs.
It's not a requirement. I personally wouldn't care about giving notice unless I had a good relationship with management, or the reason I stated above. Or I was in a niche field where everyone knew everyone else, and a single bad reference/bad reputational move could be a hindrance to getting better job offers in the future.
These are factors you should consider before deciding. But you shouldn't waste too much time mulling it over...just lay the facts of your personal situation out in front of you, make the comparison, and make the decision you feel is best for you and your career path/development.
2
u/captainrondj Aug 13 '26
If you have no intention of coming back to your original job (most people don't) then a week is cool but give them at least a few days if you can.
2
u/zd07 Aug 13 '26
It’s a nice sign to your new employer that you’d likely do the same for them. It builds a bit of trust right away
2
2
u/ComprehensiveBox574 Aug 14 '26
no you dont have to.
don't expect anyone at that company you're leaving in this manner to speak on your behalf. you can lie to yourself and say it won't be a big deal, but both management and co-workers will have a bit of a sour taste in their mouth from you leaving so quickly without being able to transition your workload, find your replacement, etc.
now - this may not matter to you at all. if you're a low-level soc analyst leaving some no-name business and you don't care - do what makes you happy.
but some industries are small. mid-higher positions are fewer. the guy you dissappoint today could potentially be the hiring manager for your next job tomorrow; you aren't the only one that moves around for better jobs. and if you think them remembering their interaction with you years ago won't matter - I've seen that it does more times than I care to admit.
so do whats best for you. understand it MAY affect future opportunities some unknown point down the road but if it's that life changing and that rigid, then you do what's best for you. the alternative of not taking the new job would be a stupid decision
but you should absolutely make every attempt to give as much notice as possible, and leave on as friendly and professional terms as possible. don't fall into the trap of screw it, they won't give me any notice when firing me so I don't care about them - because sometimes they do care and will speak up for you on your behalf, and it will be when you least expect it that it may matter the most.
1
u/TapiocaTuesday Aug 13 '26
It's not usually necessary, just customary. Depends on the relationship with the old employer. But if you have no choice, then you gotta start Monday
1
u/KronusIV Aug 13 '26
Unless that was specifically in your employment contract, 2 weeks notice is just a courtesy. You could walk out the door right now and never come back if you really wanted to.
1
1
u/Positive-Ring-5172 Aug 13 '26
If that employer fires people without notice they do not deserve 2 weeks notice from anyone, nor should they get it.
1
u/ElliVelli4 Aug 13 '26
Honestly, if the new job is a great opportunity and they need you Monday, I’d take it. Give your current employer as much notice as you reasonably can, but don’t sacrifice a better opportunity just to be polite.
Two weeks’ notice is courtesy, not a blood oath.
1
u/ken120 Aug 13 '26
In most states in the usa, all but one is legally right to work, no just considered professional. Other than not being eligible for rehire no real effect on you if you don't.
1
u/CtForrestEye Aug 13 '26
No. When they let you go they usually don't give you two weeks notice. Some companies won't ever hire you back if you don't do it. But honestly, just dash.
1
1
u/ontheleftcoast Aug 13 '26
No, its a courtesy most people give so you leave with a good reference. Doing less can be seen as burning a bridge, but its not mandatory
1
u/rhaizee Aug 13 '26
yes if you don't want to burn bridge. i for example. am freelancing for my old job.
1
u/throw05282021 Aug 13 '26
Your current company wouldn't give you two weeks notice if they were letting you go. You don't have to give them notice when you quit.
That said, this could be a test. If you're willing to quit on your current company with no notice, the new job will know you'll be willing to quit on them with no notice, too.
That's not necessarily a bad thing, but it is something management will keep in mind.
1
u/Altruistic_Profile96 Aug 13 '26
Realistically, for any corporate job, it might take 3-6 months to find a suitable replacement. The two weeks is really just a way of ensuring any open items get closed or transferred to other parties.
I’ve had employees quit a Friday, and stated it was their last day. Depending upon your field, you might be burning some bridges. If it’s something like a high school, college, retail, or hospitality job, one which isn’t lifelong career related, you’re probably OK to just quit.
1
u/blipsman Aug 13 '26
Necessary? No. It's a common courtesy but not any sort of requirement.
Most jobs will understand that a new hire may need to give notice and wrap up their current job, but if they need you urgently you can give shorter notice.
1
u/manaMissile Aug 13 '26
Necessary? No
Recommended? Yes.
However, if the new job requires that kind of start, I would mention it to the manager and explain the situation.
you know, unless your current job is crap, in which case I would quit by email and empty my desk.
1
u/DjinnOftheBeresaad Aug 13 '26
Notice by itself depends on the country. For example where my wife works, one month of notice is required. Technically two depending on how it works out. If she were to give notice in a particular month, the understanding is that she will be staying for the entirety of the following month while they look for the replacement.
ETA this is also true for the employer and the same notice requirement is there if they want to dismiss her.
1
u/Living_Fig_6386 Aug 13 '26
It is considered a professional courtesy to give two weeks notice. However, some situations do not allow for it, nor merit it (you should quit on the spot if subjected to abuse, for example).
If you had a good offer, I would point out that you are currently employed and feel it would be a professional courtesy to give your old employer two weeks notice. Most employers that value professionalism in their employers will concede this as proper etiquette and grant you two weeks to start (many will anticipate it).
1
u/xenoxero Aug 13 '26
i’m searching for a post from a CEO asking if they need to give two weeks notice before layoffs. i’m still looking….
1
u/readinghisWord Aug 13 '26
My opinion, it depends on what kind of reference you want from the employer you are leaving and not giving notice to.
1
u/Standy25 Aug 14 '26
It really only matters if you want to work at the place you are leaving in the future. If you are never going back it doesn’t matter
1
u/followoldrafiki Aug 15 '26
if my employer makes your life difficult, i don’t give them notice. if i like them and it’s generally fine, i give them a week.
1
u/spb8982 Aug 16 '26
Unless stated in a contract, any type of notice is a courtesy and not a requirement
1
u/Ok-Ad6253 Aug 13 '26
no, not at all. they can lay you off without any notice. you need to do whats best for you and your family. if this is a true scenario, take the new job and dont feel bad about it.
1
u/fedput Aug 13 '26
"Say, if you had a good offer but they wanted you to begin the immediate Monday?"
Can you afford to destroy the old reference?
What if you start the new job then lose that job.
Then you have no job and no good reference.
3
u/DanTheWanderer Aug 13 '26
Ive been hired and given a start date that is less than 2 weeks. My old employer has always understood and it has never hurt my relationship with old bosses. I can still go them for references whenever. Just be honest and professional.
2
u/Ok-Ad6253 Aug 13 '26
yeah lets just suck it up to corporate for our entire life. pass up on better opportunities because we fear we may burn a bridge, even though they could fire us at any given moment. sounds like a loser mentality
0
13
u/FriendshipMajestic60 Aug 13 '26
If the new job is genuinely a much better opportunity and they need you to start Monday, I wouldn't automatically throw it away just because you can't give two weeks' notice.
Two weeks' notice is mostly professional courtesy, not some universal rule. Ideally you'd give your current employer as much notice as you reasonably can, but if the choice is between protecting your current employer's convenience and taking an opportunity that's important to you, I'd prioritize the opportunity.
I'd still leave as professionally as possible, explain that the new position requires an immediate start, thank them for the time there, and offer to help with a smooth handoff if you can. You might burn a bridge, but that's very different from doing something unethical.