The End of the Two-Week Notice

When you think of quitting your job, you think of turning in the infamous two-week notice. For most professionals, two weeks is the standard notice period to let your employer know that you’ve decided to pursue another opportunity. The two-week notice even gets its own fancy name “Resignation” while if you walk in and say “today is my last day” well that’s quitting, and no one likes quitters. Right? Maybe not, you see both are quitting, but one gets a bad reputation and the other is standard procedure. So, what is the point of the two-week notice?

Why Employers Like It:

1. It allows your employer to give you a counteroffer (if you are a valuable employee, often your employer will offer you more money to stay if possible)
   

2. It allows your employer to start the process of looking for your replacement.
   

3. It gives your employer time to process your termination, schedule your exit interview and announce your departure to the rest of the company.  
   

Why Employees Like It:

1. You can get a pay increase to stay, especially if the pay is the primary reason you're leaving. (Always have another job lined up if this is the game you’re playing)
   

2. It makes you look good to your future employer (Usually, if you are willing to give your last job a heads up then you'll likely do the same for them)
   

3. It helps your reputation in the industry. Most industries are small and when you quit one job for another in the same industry, you start to build a reputation. Very few things are more important for your career than your reputation.
   

4. It also allows time for you to hand off your work to your coworkers.
   

If the two-week notice is so great, then why is this blog titled "The End of the Two- Week Notice"? The blog got its name because, while it is best practice, it's not required. You can give an "Until you find my replacement notice” or " you could walk in and say this is my last day" or anything in-between. There are risks associated with giving two weeks’ notice that aren't often talked about but are very real in a volatile economy. If you live paycheck to paycheck these factors can be especially important because you don't have the savings to maintain your bills without a steady income.

The Risks of Giving Notice:

1. Although it is not common, when you turn in your two-week notice, your employer might tell you they only want you to stay for one week or they may even tell you that you can leave the same day. In this case, the likelihood of you getting unemployment for that week or two between jobs is slim to none. So, make sure you have enough money saved to hold yourself over for two weeks before you turn in your notice.
   

2. You've got a great new job that you're about to start, however, there is always the risk that the company that you're going to may change their mind before you start and well if you've already turned in your two week notice, it is unlikely that your current company will take you back because you've already shown that you are willing to leave. Which would leave you unemployed until you find your next job, and, in most states, you are not eligible for unemployment benefits if you quit. ( Check your state’s policy here )
   

3. For your last two weeks your employer could give you unreasonable tasks to make your last two weeks unbearable. (This is unlikely unless you work in a very toxic environment.) 

Risks of Not Giving Notice:

1. You can miss out on a potential pay increase.
   

2. You can ruin your reputation in the industry.   

Despite the few risks and implications of not giving two weeks’ notice there's really not much your employer can do if you walk in on your last day and announce it’s your last day with no notice. Although they will undoubtably be upset. If you explain your reasoning, they will likely be a bit more understanding. So, should you turn in a two week notice or not? Well, it depends on your situation. Ask yourself the following questions to help your decision process.

1. Are you working at a good company?

2. Do you think you might want to work for this company again in the future?
   

3. Are you going to another job in the same small industry?
   

4. Can you afford to live for a week or two without pay?

If the answer is yes to any of these questions, you should seriously consider turning in a two-week notice. However, don't be surprised if a couple of years down the road two-week notices are a thing of the past.

Good luck on your journey,

~Ms. Sunflower

Which do you think is better?

• Giving two week notice
• Leaving without notice