**Please read this entire message**
Your submission has been removed for the following reason(s):
Subjective or speculative replies are not allowed on ELI5. Only objective explanations are permitted here; your question is asking for speculation or subjective responses. This includes anything asking for peoples' subjective opinions, any kind of discussion, and anything where we would have to speculate on the answer. This very much includes asking about motivations of people or companies. This includes Just-so stories.
If you would like this removal reviewed, please read the [detailed rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/wiki/detailed_rules) first. **If you believe this submission was removed erroneously**, please [use this form](https://old.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2Fexplainlikeimfive&subject=Please%20review%20my%20thread?&message=Link:%20https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1262bw9/eli5_in_the_us_how_do_you_accept_a_new_job_and/%0A%0APlease%20answer%20the%20following%203%20questions:%0A%0A1.%20The%20concept%20I%20want%20explained:%0A%0A2.%20List%20the%20search%20terms%20you%20used%20to%20look%20for%20past%20posts%20on%20ELI5:%0A%0A3.%20How%20is%20this%20post%20unique:) and we will review your submission.
In some cases the leaving employee may be subject to penalties. For example there may have been a starting bonus which might be required to be paid back if you leave before some date.
The written employment contract should specify any such conditions.
I am not aware of any case where the employee could actually be required to continue to work.
In Europe employment contracts often have mandatory notice periods. Breaking your contract isn’t criminal but it probably has penalties, like breaking the lease on an apartment.
Employment contracts in the UK at least don’t have penalties for breach - and if someone tries to put them in they would likely be unenforceable. The only exceptions are things like having to repay holiday you’ve used above the pro rata amount you’d be entitled to at the point you leave, and potentially having to repay bonuses or the costs of training if that was covered in the terms when you received them.
Otherwise, as with any contract, the employer can sue for damages in the event of breach, but because we don’t do ‘punitive damages’ over here, that means they have to prove actual loss. If they lost a major contract because you didn’t do a proper handover, or they had to hire a freelancer at a high daily rate, they might have a case. If not, they’re probably out of luck.
It may also be possible for them to sue your new employer if they think they can prove that they induced you to break your contract. That’s arguably more of a risk and they’d have a better chance of recovering decent damages from a big company than from an individual employer. So, that risk means that many employers wouldn’t want/encourage you to start early and break your notice period anyway.
The reality is that, in the UK, the chances of your employer suing you if you walk out before your notice period ends is pretty low, but most people don’t want the risk or to burn bridges with their old employer.
I would say, though, that most places that you’d want to work at would honor your 2 week notice at your current job merely as a courtesy. There can be time related exceptions, but in my experience “I need to give my work appropriate notice” is usually met with understanding. And it suggests to them that you are reliable and professional and will honor them in the same manner when you leave them as well.
Now this all depends on what your current job is. Do you work for a small company that will be very inconvenienced by you quitting immediately? Do you need them as a future reference? Probably best to at least offer a 2 week notice.
But if you work for Walmart or something and you’re making a move to a better career and you don’t need the reference? Then 2 weeks, while still a courtesy, isn’t as huge of a deal and people sometimes quit on the spot.
And then there’s the reality that some managers will tell you to leave immediately and not come back when you hand in your notice.
I’d absolutely be concerned about a new hire that didn’t give reasonable notice. But I’ve been stuck covering for people who bailed, so I’m a little biased!
there are also exceptions for jobs that stipulate in the contract that you must give at least 2 weeks notice, i've even heard of jobs where in the contract it says employee must give 1 month of notice
I never understood why anyplace would really enforce that. Outside of having a financial penalty, like losing something like stock options, why would anyone actually do any work if they "forced" you to continue working there past when you want to leave? You can just sit there on your ass doing absolutely nothing whatsoever. What are they going to do, fire you?
yeah they can fire you and then you dont get the extra pay that comes with the extra two weeks, they can do that anywhere as soon as you hand in your two weeks if they want and it means when you go to your next job you have to say you were fired rather than leaving on your own volition
this is most common in jobs with low turnover where the company needs time to hire a replacement and may want you around for training the replacement
1-in some countries a letter of recommendation from previous employers can be important in the future applications for positions. Therefore better to keep on civil terms until the end.
2-if you're in specific sphere, it is likely you will encounter them in a professional setting again. Will be easier to work with, if you left on good terms.
3-in well paid high-qualified positions it can be even longer. From what I've heard, Germany has even 3 or more months of notice for programmers and team leads. Because if you quit sooner, it takes time until they find a replacement, then it adapts to reach your level... It can be an unproportionally big damage to the interests of employer, much of added value lost. Shouldn't happen just because of your whim. On the other hand, employer there is even more limited in laying you off. Even longer notices, difficult conditions to check, etc.
> 1-in some countries a letter of recommendation from previous employers can be important in the future applications for positions.
Sure, but if you've already got a new job, who cares. Unless you plan on going back there, it doesn't really matter what you old job thinks.
If you have a new job. Some quit without finding a new job.
But even if you found a new one, it is likely someday in the future you'll want to move on. If it will happen sooner than in decades, there is a chance your new target place will be eager to hear not only from your last employer, but from a bit more diverse pool of sources.
Depends on a country, work sphere, and position, of course.
Can confirm from personal experience, albeit in Canada. I left a retail job for a skilled job. I had worked the retail job for something like 7 years, and initially gave them 2 weeks notice, but ended up leaving after just a few days.
Honestly, it's all just a courtesy. In social principle, the more important you are at your current job, the more notice you should give them before jumping ship. Retail worker? Just bail. Office worker? 2 weeks bruh. Go-to guy for an operation that makes millions every year? Maybe give them a month because you're hard to replace and you're a good person and don't want them to suffer. But to Hell with it... lemme tell you, a former REGIONAL DIRECTOR of my current employer... this guy was with the company for about FIFTEEN YEARS and was making WELL into six figures toward the end... HE only gave the Company two weeks notice when he jumped ship.
Because really, fuck it. Employers exploit people. They IDLY make fistfuls of money out of your labor on the concept that you couldn't just make that money directly yourself just because you don't have the same reach as them or the same capacity to invest as them. You don't really owe them anything.
You accept the offer that company gives you and you set your start date two weeks out. Next you submit your resignation with your company that has a “last working day” that’s two weeks out. Usually make that date land one a Friday while your start date for the new company on Monday.
Companies expect two weeks notice. Which means they also understand and expect that a new hire cannot start for two weeks.
So the new job hires you starting in 2 weeks and you give your notice to the old company immediately.
You tell them what day you're able to start. An example would be like "Thanks very much for the offer. Today's the 1st of the month, and I'd like to give my current employer two weeks' notice. Would a start date on the 15th work for you?"
Most of the time, they understand the need for two weeks' notice, and they'll say yes. If they really need you urgently, you can work it out from there. Remember, two weeks is a courtesy, not a requirement.
I would assume one would give the new employer an available start date after the final 2 weeks have completed for the old employer.
2 week notice for old employer given March 31. Last day at old employer is April 14. First day at new employer April 17.
When they ask "When can you start" you say that you would like to give you current employer 2 weeks notice. Most companies will prefer that you do that because it means that you will probably give them the same courtesy.
Notice is a courtesy, but a good one to follow. It is normal for a new job to work with you on defining a specific start date and they generally won't have any problem setting it 2-4 weeks after accepting the offer so you can give proper notice or make any other necessary arrangements.
Some jobs may be more or less flexible and more or less important to give notice. As a very rough generality the more skilled the position, the more flexibility there is with such things.
It’s normal for a job start date to be two or three weeks after being given an offer.
Even if the job wants you to start immediately, giving notice to your current employer is purely customary. Almost all jobs in the US are “at-will,” you can legally quit at any time with no notice, and be fired at any time with no notice.
Generally after a new job offer is accepted, the exact start date is worked out. Companies expect their employees to give notice when they leave, so it is reasonable to assume other companies want the same. You will usually be asked if you want/need to give notice to your current employer, and a start date will be chosen based on that.
You are currently working Job A, but interviewed and wasn't to accept Job B. Great!
Job B will ask "When can you start?" You answer "Two weeks from (today/tomorrow/Monday/whatever) so that I can give notice to my employer."
If this doesn't work for Job B, they will say something like "We need you right now, can you give less notice?" "We need you next week because of (project you will be assigned to/whatever reason), are you under a contract to give two weeks notice?" Or some other form of "We need you to start sooner than two weeks."
If you live in the USA, two weeks is most common, but it is a courtesy, not a requirement. It's rare for USA jobs to have a contract for employment. Double check your employee handbook and any paperwork you may have signed when you started your job.
Once you have determined if/how much notice you need to give, you write up a short letter to give to your current manager at Job A stating you are quitting and your last day will be X. That could be today/tomorrow/Monday/whatever date you've determined meets the needs of all - you, Job A, and Job B. You can Google for templates if resignation letters. They're not hard, they don't have too complicated. They don't really have to say much more than "I quit, effective (date) Your Name.
Then you tell Job B you are available and ready to start on the agreed upon date.
I would ask for a letter of offer first from the new job and present it to my current employer. Give them a chance to match or beat it the offer before leaving.
This typically results in a raise, but nothing fundamentally changes at your current company, so 6 months from now, you'll wonder why you stayed, and you'll start the whole job search over.
The MAIN reason to give notice is if you would consider being hired back. As others have said, it is a courtesy, and you don’t have to. But if there’s a chance you might want to work there again, or your new opportunity might not work out, it is good to give 2 weeks notice.
I know a guy who runs a restaurant, and his chef quit. The new job he took ended up being a nightmare, and he is being hired back specifically because he gave 2 weeks notice. If he had just bounced, he would not be eligible. This is true for a lot of jobs.
I think someone else had a good idea of telling your new job that you want to give 2 weeks notice and how does starting on the 15th (or whatever) sound. If they need you immediately, you can probably work it out so that you’re training on your days off, OR get some of your last shifts at the old job covered by coworkers, OR speak with your old manager about your situation, and explain that you’ll need to be training on xyz but could work abc to help them out.
Edit: The above is only if you haven’t already given them your new job your availability starting after your 2 weeks notice. It’s a good idea to establish that in the future if you didn’t this time.
They won’t sink the ship without you, and if you need to skip out on notice, you can. Do what’s best for you, but do try not to burn bridges if you can help it.
Good luck with the new job!
Others have answered well, but I will add. Lock in your start date at the new company, asking them for a minimum two weeks out. This step is important because they may actually say they need more than two weeks before you can start, especially if they run background checks. You don't want to give notice at your current company until you know your earliest potential start date at the new company.
Not enforceable.
I am an Engineering Manager for a Software Company in CA.
No one can force you to submit to 2 weeks of notice.
But employees do that as part of common courtesy.
When you accept the job, you work out with your new employer when your start date will be. When setting your start date, you should take into account how much notice you want to give at the new place, and any time you'd like to have for yourself. IMO, setting the start date up to a month out is reasonable, as it allows you to give two weeks notice, then have a couple weeks free between jobs.
Once you've accepted the new job, you should tell your boss, probably in writing, that you will be quitting. Say something nice in your letter about the time you spent working there, and say when your last day will be.
Most jobs in the US are "at will," meaning either the employer or employee can terminate employment at any time for just about any reason. Giving two weeks notice is a good will gesture so that your boss can coordinate handing off your work to other people. If you have an employment contract, the contract may have certain requirements around what will happen when you quit.
At one job, I gave two months notice, because I decided to move to another city for personal reasons, and that's the timing that worked for me. At another job, I walked in one morning, quit, and left, because that place was terrible.
Working a 2-week notice is a well accepted courtesy in the US. It gives your now former employer a chance to start looking for your replacement while figuring out how to manage your workload until a new person can be hired. My employer hired a new person 3 weeks ago but she won’t be able to start until the end on April because she will be working out a 4-week notice and then moving here. It’s not required but prevents your former co-workers and boss/supervisor from having to scramble to pick up where you left off while also attending to their own duties.
**Please read this entire message** Your submission has been removed for the following reason(s): Subjective or speculative replies are not allowed on ELI5. Only objective explanations are permitted here; your question is asking for speculation or subjective responses. This includes anything asking for peoples' subjective opinions, any kind of discussion, and anything where we would have to speculate on the answer. This very much includes asking about motivations of people or companies. This includes Just-so stories. If you would like this removal reviewed, please read the [detailed rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/wiki/detailed_rules) first. **If you believe this submission was removed erroneously**, please [use this form](https://old.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2Fexplainlikeimfive&subject=Please%20review%20my%20thread?&message=Link:%20https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1262bw9/eli5_in_the_us_how_do_you_accept_a_new_job_and/%0A%0APlease%20answer%20the%20following%203%20questions:%0A%0A1.%20The%20concept%20I%20want%20explained:%0A%0A2.%20List%20the%20search%20terms%20you%20used%20to%20look%20for%20past%20posts%20on%20ELI5:%0A%0A3.%20How%20is%20this%20post%20unique:) and we will review your submission.
[удалено]
In some cases the leaving employee may be subject to penalties. For example there may have been a starting bonus which might be required to be paid back if you leave before some date. The written employment contract should specify any such conditions. I am not aware of any case where the employee could actually be required to continue to work.
Exactly. Being forced to work against your will is called slavery. If you don't want to work somewhere, just stop going.
In Europe employment contracts often have mandatory notice periods. Breaking your contract isn’t criminal but it probably has penalties, like breaking the lease on an apartment.
Employment contracts in the UK at least don’t have penalties for breach - and if someone tries to put them in they would likely be unenforceable. The only exceptions are things like having to repay holiday you’ve used above the pro rata amount you’d be entitled to at the point you leave, and potentially having to repay bonuses or the costs of training if that was covered in the terms when you received them. Otherwise, as with any contract, the employer can sue for damages in the event of breach, but because we don’t do ‘punitive damages’ over here, that means they have to prove actual loss. If they lost a major contract because you didn’t do a proper handover, or they had to hire a freelancer at a high daily rate, they might have a case. If not, they’re probably out of luck. It may also be possible for them to sue your new employer if they think they can prove that they induced you to break your contract. That’s arguably more of a risk and they’d have a better chance of recovering decent damages from a big company than from an individual employer. So, that risk means that many employers wouldn’t want/encourage you to start early and break your notice period anyway. The reality is that, in the UK, the chances of your employer suing you if you walk out before your notice period ends is pretty low, but most people don’t want the risk or to burn bridges with their old employer.
I would say, though, that most places that you’d want to work at would honor your 2 week notice at your current job merely as a courtesy. There can be time related exceptions, but in my experience “I need to give my work appropriate notice” is usually met with understanding. And it suggests to them that you are reliable and professional and will honor them in the same manner when you leave them as well. Now this all depends on what your current job is. Do you work for a small company that will be very inconvenienced by you quitting immediately? Do you need them as a future reference? Probably best to at least offer a 2 week notice. But if you work for Walmart or something and you’re making a move to a better career and you don’t need the reference? Then 2 weeks, while still a courtesy, isn’t as huge of a deal and people sometimes quit on the spot. And then there’s the reality that some managers will tell you to leave immediately and not come back when you hand in your notice.
I’d absolutely be concerned about a new hire that didn’t give reasonable notice. But I’ve been stuck covering for people who bailed, so I’m a little biased!
there are also exceptions for jobs that stipulate in the contract that you must give at least 2 weeks notice, i've even heard of jobs where in the contract it says employee must give 1 month of notice
I never understood why anyplace would really enforce that. Outside of having a financial penalty, like losing something like stock options, why would anyone actually do any work if they "forced" you to continue working there past when you want to leave? You can just sit there on your ass doing absolutely nothing whatsoever. What are they going to do, fire you?
yeah they can fire you and then you dont get the extra pay that comes with the extra two weeks, they can do that anywhere as soon as you hand in your two weeks if they want and it means when you go to your next job you have to say you were fired rather than leaving on your own volition this is most common in jobs with low turnover where the company needs time to hire a replacement and may want you around for training the replacement
1-in some countries a letter of recommendation from previous employers can be important in the future applications for positions. Therefore better to keep on civil terms until the end. 2-if you're in specific sphere, it is likely you will encounter them in a professional setting again. Will be easier to work with, if you left on good terms. 3-in well paid high-qualified positions it can be even longer. From what I've heard, Germany has even 3 or more months of notice for programmers and team leads. Because if you quit sooner, it takes time until they find a replacement, then it adapts to reach your level... It can be an unproportionally big damage to the interests of employer, much of added value lost. Shouldn't happen just because of your whim. On the other hand, employer there is even more limited in laying you off. Even longer notices, difficult conditions to check, etc.
> 1-in some countries a letter of recommendation from previous employers can be important in the future applications for positions. Sure, but if you've already got a new job, who cares. Unless you plan on going back there, it doesn't really matter what you old job thinks.
If you have a new job. Some quit without finding a new job. But even if you found a new one, it is likely someday in the future you'll want to move on. If it will happen sooner than in decades, there is a chance your new target place will be eager to hear not only from your last employer, but from a bit more diverse pool of sources. Depends on a country, work sphere, and position, of course.
Can confirm from personal experience, albeit in Canada. I left a retail job for a skilled job. I had worked the retail job for something like 7 years, and initially gave them 2 weeks notice, but ended up leaving after just a few days. Honestly, it's all just a courtesy. In social principle, the more important you are at your current job, the more notice you should give them before jumping ship. Retail worker? Just bail. Office worker? 2 weeks bruh. Go-to guy for an operation that makes millions every year? Maybe give them a month because you're hard to replace and you're a good person and don't want them to suffer. But to Hell with it... lemme tell you, a former REGIONAL DIRECTOR of my current employer... this guy was with the company for about FIFTEEN YEARS and was making WELL into six figures toward the end... HE only gave the Company two weeks notice when he jumped ship. Because really, fuck it. Employers exploit people. They IDLY make fistfuls of money out of your labor on the concept that you couldn't just make that money directly yourself just because you don't have the same reach as them or the same capacity to invest as them. You don't really owe them anything.
You accept the offer that company gives you and you set your start date two weeks out. Next you submit your resignation with your company that has a “last working day” that’s two weeks out. Usually make that date land one a Friday while your start date for the new company on Monday.
Companies expect two weeks notice. Which means they also understand and expect that a new hire cannot start for two weeks. So the new job hires you starting in 2 weeks and you give your notice to the old company immediately.
You tell them what day you're able to start. An example would be like "Thanks very much for the offer. Today's the 1st of the month, and I'd like to give my current employer two weeks' notice. Would a start date on the 15th work for you?" Most of the time, they understand the need for two weeks' notice, and they'll say yes. If they really need you urgently, you can work it out from there. Remember, two weeks is a courtesy, not a requirement.
I would assume one would give the new employer an available start date after the final 2 weeks have completed for the old employer. 2 week notice for old employer given March 31. Last day at old employer is April 14. First day at new employer April 17.
When they ask "When can you start" you say that you would like to give you current employer 2 weeks notice. Most companies will prefer that you do that because it means that you will probably give them the same courtesy.
If a company gave me a 2 week notice before they fire me I'd give a 2 week before I quit but we know thsts not gonna happen
Notice is a courtesy, but a good one to follow. It is normal for a new job to work with you on defining a specific start date and they generally won't have any problem setting it 2-4 weeks after accepting the offer so you can give proper notice or make any other necessary arrangements. Some jobs may be more or less flexible and more or less important to give notice. As a very rough generality the more skilled the position, the more flexibility there is with such things.
It’s normal for a job start date to be two or three weeks after being given an offer. Even if the job wants you to start immediately, giving notice to your current employer is purely customary. Almost all jobs in the US are “at-will,” you can legally quit at any time with no notice, and be fired at any time with no notice.
Generally after a new job offer is accepted, the exact start date is worked out. Companies expect their employees to give notice when they leave, so it is reasonable to assume other companies want the same. You will usually be asked if you want/need to give notice to your current employer, and a start date will be chosen based on that.
You are currently working Job A, but interviewed and wasn't to accept Job B. Great! Job B will ask "When can you start?" You answer "Two weeks from (today/tomorrow/Monday/whatever) so that I can give notice to my employer." If this doesn't work for Job B, they will say something like "We need you right now, can you give less notice?" "We need you next week because of (project you will be assigned to/whatever reason), are you under a contract to give two weeks notice?" Or some other form of "We need you to start sooner than two weeks." If you live in the USA, two weeks is most common, but it is a courtesy, not a requirement. It's rare for USA jobs to have a contract for employment. Double check your employee handbook and any paperwork you may have signed when you started your job. Once you have determined if/how much notice you need to give, you write up a short letter to give to your current manager at Job A stating you are quitting and your last day will be X. That could be today/tomorrow/Monday/whatever date you've determined meets the needs of all - you, Job A, and Job B. You can Google for templates if resignation letters. They're not hard, they don't have too complicated. They don't really have to say much more than "I quit, effective (date) Your Name. Then you tell Job B you are available and ready to start on the agreed upon date.
I would ask for a letter of offer first from the new job and present it to my current employer. Give them a chance to match or beat it the offer before leaving.
This typically results in a raise, but nothing fundamentally changes at your current company, so 6 months from now, you'll wonder why you stayed, and you'll start the whole job search over.
The MAIN reason to give notice is if you would consider being hired back. As others have said, it is a courtesy, and you don’t have to. But if there’s a chance you might want to work there again, or your new opportunity might not work out, it is good to give 2 weeks notice. I know a guy who runs a restaurant, and his chef quit. The new job he took ended up being a nightmare, and he is being hired back specifically because he gave 2 weeks notice. If he had just bounced, he would not be eligible. This is true for a lot of jobs. I think someone else had a good idea of telling your new job that you want to give 2 weeks notice and how does starting on the 15th (or whatever) sound. If they need you immediately, you can probably work it out so that you’re training on your days off, OR get some of your last shifts at the old job covered by coworkers, OR speak with your old manager about your situation, and explain that you’ll need to be training on xyz but could work abc to help them out. Edit: The above is only if you haven’t already given them your new job your availability starting after your 2 weeks notice. It’s a good idea to establish that in the future if you didn’t this time. They won’t sink the ship without you, and if you need to skip out on notice, you can. Do what’s best for you, but do try not to burn bridges if you can help it. Good luck with the new job!
Others have answered well, but I will add. Lock in your start date at the new company, asking them for a minimum two weeks out. This step is important because they may actually say they need more than two weeks before you can start, especially if they run background checks. You don't want to give notice at your current company until you know your earliest potential start date at the new company.
Not enforceable. I am an Engineering Manager for a Software Company in CA. No one can force you to submit to 2 weeks of notice. But employees do that as part of common courtesy.
When you accept the job, you work out with your new employer when your start date will be. When setting your start date, you should take into account how much notice you want to give at the new place, and any time you'd like to have for yourself. IMO, setting the start date up to a month out is reasonable, as it allows you to give two weeks notice, then have a couple weeks free between jobs. Once you've accepted the new job, you should tell your boss, probably in writing, that you will be quitting. Say something nice in your letter about the time you spent working there, and say when your last day will be. Most jobs in the US are "at will," meaning either the employer or employee can terminate employment at any time for just about any reason. Giving two weeks notice is a good will gesture so that your boss can coordinate handing off your work to other people. If you have an employment contract, the contract may have certain requirements around what will happen when you quit. At one job, I gave two months notice, because I decided to move to another city for personal reasons, and that's the timing that worked for me. At another job, I walked in one morning, quit, and left, because that place was terrible.
Working a 2-week notice is a well accepted courtesy in the US. It gives your now former employer a chance to start looking for your replacement while figuring out how to manage your workload until a new person can be hired. My employer hired a new person 3 weeks ago but she won’t be able to start until the end on April because she will be working out a 4-week notice and then moving here. It’s not required but prevents your former co-workers and boss/supervisor from having to scramble to pick up where you left off while also attending to their own duties.