I recently signed an employment contact and I start my new job in early February.

Anonymous

December 12,2023 at 2:24PM UTC

Welcome to Fairygodboss!

We’re the largest online career community helping women achieve their career goals. Gain access to articles, jobs, events, and a supportive network of women and allies. Membership is free, always.

I recently signed an employment contact and I start my new job in early February. I am leaving a company that I've been with for 15 years. How much notice should I give? Also, come January does my old employer have to pay out my vacation before I leave? I'm in Ontario, Canada - not sure if it makes a difference.

Why women love us:

Daily articles on career topics
Jobs at companies dedicated to hiring more women
Advice and support from an authentic community
Events that help you level up in your career
Free membership, always

4 comments

Share your insight

Join an authentic community that helps women support each other at work. Share your professional experience or ask for advice — you can even post anonymously.

4 Comments

Join the conversation

AnonymousDecember 12,2023 at 2:39PM UTC
Being in Canada makes all the difference. In the US, accrued PTO is part of your compensation, and most companies will pay it out with your final check. Certain states have laws that mandate this. How it is handled depends on your company's policies (possibly where it is based) and state or federal laws. Check with your equivalent of what we have as a Department of Labor in Ontario and Canada. Here, two weeks' notice is customary. Certain companies (especially for those under contract) require more, so check your current employee handbook or employment contract to see what is listed there.
Heather (she/her)December 12,2023 at 4:33PM UTC
You should check your current employee handbook. You may have agreed to a certain notice period already. In the U.S. the average notice is two weeks, though you're not required to give any. In Europe, it's more like a month or even two. I don't know about Canada.
AnonymousDecember 12,2023 at 4:33PM UTC
Congrats on your new job!! I agree with what the first commenter said about referring to your company's policy and contract to determine how much notice you need to give and how they handle left over vacation balance.
I'm from the U.S. so I can't speak to Canadian employment labor laws and regulations.
Barb HansenDecember 12,2023 at 8:25PM UTC
"Unless there's an employment contract in force that states the amount of notice to be provided, Canadian common law requires that "reasonable notice" be offered by the employee when they resign. It's normal (but not a legal requirement) to give two weeks of notice." Many US states have "at-will" employment laws which means an employer can fire an employee without cause (not with standing other anti-discrimination labor laws) and also means that an employee can quit without giving a reason or giving notice. Obviously Canada is a different country with different labor laws (see above) If you don't have an employment agreement that requires you to give a set amount of notice, then two weeks notice is standard. If you have a good relationship with your manager, you could speak to your manager at any time (including now) and discuss any transition activities required before you leave. Congrats on your new job.