How much notice should I give?

32 Comments

1. Melissa AnnJanuary 7,2024 at 5:13PM UTC

   I mean, you did your work there. You’re quitting and you’re allowed to. How they react and manage your decision is on them, not you. I understand not burning bridges but if if were me, I would respectfully give two weeks and be done. No bridges burnt.

2. AnonymousJanuary 7,2024 at 5:39PM UTC

   I would given what you shared here give them the option of 30 days but let them know your plan was 2 weeks and give them the date you decided upon. Let them decide which works best for having to replace you. As for your reasons for leaving that is your business and I would not share the "need a break thing" because you may need them as a reference for the next employer and you want to control the narrative they share for why you left. Be sure to sign a mutual non-disparagement clause if/when you sign exit documents. If you have any backlash for leaving in terms of verbal abuse or other, let them know you are prepared to leave sooner. Once you verbally give notice be sure to also memorialize the details that have been confirmed in an email and bcc yourself. Good luck in your next venture.

3. Sandra SwearingenJanuary 7,2024 at 6:26PM UTC

   Give the min required. I gave 30 days notice and they dumped so much work in me that it was unbelievable and I was retiring. They sometimes retaliate if you leave on your own.

4. AnonymousJanuary 7,2024 at 10:43PM UTC

   I would give the customary (assuming you are in the US) 2-week's notice in your situation. Do not tell them that you are taking a break. Draft a letter that states, "This is the written notice of my resignation effective [date]." You can then thank them for the experience but give no more details. It is none of their business what you intend to do next. Unless you are under a non-compete or NDA, and they ask, simply refuse by saying, "I prefer not to say."

5. AnonymousJanuary 7,2024 at 10:50PM UTC

   I always opt to do what's best for me. You want to rest, take care of yourself and get those pesky life errands done. Drawing out your exit is up to you. But 2 or 3 months goes so fast. You want to truly break not babysit.

   I would think twice before sharing your why.

6. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistJanuary 7,2024 at 11:24PM UTC

   Two weeks. How they react is a them problem - don't make it a you problem.

   Also be prepared for them to say "today is your last day".

7. Annetta MosesJanuary 7,2024 at 11:57PM UTC

   Give a professional two weeks notice and don’t look back.

   while the company may be unhappy with your registration, the company will survive without you.

   Good luck with what you decide to do next.

8. AnonymousJanuary 8,2024 at 2:12AM UTC

   Thank you all for the input and great advice. Resigning is always nerve wracking no matter how often you do it. Especially when you leave without another job lined up. But I’m confident I’ll make a better career move after a break and time to explore all available possibilities.

9. Alley KeosheyanJanuary 8,2024 at 1:26PM UTC

   Give two weeks notice.
   If you give a month, they'll either load you up with so much work you'll end up leaving before your 30 days is up (resulting in a black mark on your employment record). Or they'll decide to let you go early or cut your hours out of spite. I know, I've seen it happen to people who thought they were being nice by giving their employers ample notice of their departure only to see it backfire on them.

   As to your reason for quitting, it's none of their business, but if they ask, keep that vague, too, such as "it's time to move on."

10. AnonymousJanuary 8,2024 at 2:07PM UTC

    You know your work situation and the players the best, so take the following with that in mind...in my experience, longer is better, when you know it's going to happen, especially if you're in a critical role such as you describe. The lengthy notice (should be) appreciated. I currently have an employee that's leaving within the month. She's spending that time tying up loose ends, training her replacement, etc. rather than everyone scrambling at two weeks. It makes for a more pleasant experience all around.

11. AnonymousJanuary 8,2024 at 2:12PM UTC

    Give the courtesy 2 week notice. Be prepared to be shown the door. So have all of your stuff removed and out of the way.

    Now for the sobering part - I hope you have at least 12 months of salary saved up. Jobs are not that easy to come by and are starting to get harder and harder to find especially if you want remote.

    Not disagreeing with sometimes you need to step away and find yourself, just make sure your cushion is in great shape to take care of you.

12. AnonymousJanuary 8,2024 at 4:17PM UTC

    Thank you! Yes, I’m prepared for up to two-years of living expenses if needed. I actually need rest more than anything as I’ve taken minimal vacation in this role and have had to work anytime I’ve taken time off. So I want to recharge and not make a panicky job move while I have the resources to do so.

13. Marcia SmithJanuary 8,2024 at 2:31PM UTC

    If you think that your employer might react negatively - give only the standard 2 week notice or what is required in the employee manual. They don't deserve any more than that!

14. Jennifer CarterJanuary 8,2024 at 2:37PM UTC

    The standard notice is 2 weeks for anyone in a non-supervisory position and up to a month for anyone in a managerial role. You should tell them asap.

15. Adriana DiGioiaJanuary 8,2024 at 5:06PM UTC

    2 weeks sounds about right

16. AnonymousJanuary 8,2024 at 9:47PM UTC

    Would they give you notice if they were planning to fire you?

17. Maegan, Nike Sales Rep & Career CoachJanuary 9,2024 at 1:04PM UTC

    Maybe take the approach that - it doesn't matter what their reaction is. You're leaving either way. They are adults and they can feel however they want to feel about it. I think it is generous of you to give 30 day notice but they may say just to leave at the end of 2 weeks. I would be prepared for that too!

18. AnonymousJanuary 9,2024 at 1:24PM UTC

    If you can, and have no committment to another position requiring your attendance, it would be very kind of you to give a 30 day notice. In the mean time, be sure your tasks are well documented for the next person. You also could consider giving a 2 week notice but make yourself available for training a new hire at your convenience. One trade off might be keeping your insurances in effect in exchange for doing so. Just an idea.

19. EMILY KIKUE FRANKJanuary 9,2024 at 1:50PM UTC

    Some people opt for longer notice, but I generally advise my clients to aim for 2 weeks, unless there's something specific they want to do like finish a project or help train a replacement. Since you feel they may react negatively, I'd say to go for the standard 2 weeks so there's less of that you need to put up with.

20. AnonymousJanuary 9,2024 at 3:23PM UTC

    Two weeks and don't give a reason, it's. This is coming from experience of giving a month's notice and wanting to walk out on the next day.

21. AnonymousJanuary 9,2024 at 4:18PM UTC

    I completely agree also from experience. You don’t have to disclose why you are leaving. I encourage you to keep the details to a minimum. Give two weeks and go.

22. AnonymousJanuary 9,2024 at 5:00PM UTC

    Two weeks and go from there based on how they receive the resignation. You can't control or change their feeling and should be excited about your break and new job. HNY! 2024 Is going to be great for you!

23. AnonymousJanuary 9,2024 at 5:58PM UTC

    2 weeks and you don't owe them a why for your decision. Now, off you go!

24. LORI-ANN BURLINGAMEJanuary 9,2024 at 11:10PM UTC

    It is traditional to give a two weeks notice. Unlike some of the other comments, giving the company a brief reason for your resignation would leave your departure on a positive note. Remember, you never know when or how they may plan a part in your future.

    Best of luck.

25. Liz MilneJanuary 10,2024 at 1:37AM UTC

    I would offer 30 days if you are as crucial as you say: but reduce it to two weeks if they act up or start giving you hassles. And they don't need to know that you're going to have a break, just tell them you're moving on, that's it.

26. Wanda ShawJanuary 10,2024 at 12:54PM UTC

    Let your employer know of your resignation plans as soon as possible.

    Reason: strategies can be put into place to compensate for your absence until a suitable replacement is found. Don’t overthink this. In the business world it’s a continuum and any viable business has an understanding that employees, even top contributors, can and will leave at some point. Don’t be surprised if your employer takes your decision to resign better than you think.

27. AnonymousJanuary 10,2024 at 8:42PM UTC

    I would give a month's notice in a role such as yours, but if they started acting up and making it insufferable, I would pick up my items and walk out. You owe them nothing.

28. AnonymousJanuary 10,2024 at 11:22PM UTC

    I believe that the question was rhetorical. OP is not worried that she is about to be fired, but if the company decided to terminate or lay her off, they would give no notice. The comment was to get her to think about that. It's not about who gets to the finish line first. It's about misplaced loyalties and the balance of power. Trust me, after being laid off after 22 years of giving my heart and soul to a company. It showed me that companies often cut off their nose to spite their face when meeting quarterly projections and executive bonuses are on the line. The generous severance and bonus covering COBRA payments did not dull the pain.

29. AnonymousJanuary 15,2024 at 1:35PM UTC

    Really these companies deserve the same notice they give us upon termination. With that being said u mentioned u wanted to take a break b4 starting a new role - do u have a new role selected already? If so, I wouldn't tell 'em nothing. However if u still need to search for and confirm this new role then 1st and foremost try to obtain a letter of recommendation from someone at ur current company then bounce. If this can't be done the. Give them the standard 2 wks. Assuming they do NOT have a policy on departing I wouldn't give them anymore than is customary if u insist on giving them any warning at all!

30. AnonymousJanuary 15,2024 at 1:46PM UTC

    I would just 2 weeks notice, dont explain why and juat gonin. Being an "individual contributor" doesn't mean a hill of beans. Most position are individual contributors.

31. Annalise MJanuary 15,2024 at 2:44PM UTC

    Unless the workplace is really toxic, I think it can be helpful in a transition process to give as much notice as possible. For me, I gave 3 months once - totally excessive but there were different factors that made me feel better about my ability to support the transition by giving that much notice. On reflection, there were some cons of giving THAT much notice (mostly that people seemed skeptical that I was actually leaving at a certain point) but I would still err on giving more than less. It's not something that you're obligated to do (2 weeks is really the only expectation) but in a supportive workplace it can be something you feel happy to do.

    Since you seem concerned that there's a high chance of a negative reaction at your current workplace, my above paragraph is maybe more for future consideration at other jobs. Your first duty is to protect yourself so I agree that maybe only give the 2 weeks because you shouldn't have to have an extended experience with negative reactions or backlash. Hope everything goes well and that you are happy with your next place.

32. AnonymousFebruary 10,2024 at 3:42PM UTC

    Thank you all for the input. I gave notice and it’s caused a LOT of panic as I expected. But I feel really good about it since I I’ve worked super hard/did my part. I am just keeping calm and closing this chapter out with gratitude.