Everything you need to know about notice periods
Notice period refers to the amount of time an employee is required to work after giving notice of their resignation from a job. The length of the notice period varies from country to country. It can be determined by factors such as the size of the company, the employee's position, and local employment laws.
Notice periods are usually calculated based on the number of weeks or months an employee has worked for the company. In some countries, the minimum notice period is set by law, while in others, it’s specified in the employee's employment contract.
When an employee decides to resign, they typically hand in a resignation letter to their employer, which starts the notice period. The employee is expected to continue working and fulfilling their responsibilities during this time. The notice period allows the employer to make arrangements for the employee's departure, including finding a replacement and transferring responsibilities.
If the employee has to be laid off by the company they usually also receive a notice period from the employer. During this time period, the employee can actively look for another job or change career paths if they like. In most countries, the employee can start a new job immediately after the notice period ends. Still, in certain countries, after the notice period is over, the employee can only start working at the beginning of the next new month.
Notice periods are a core aspect of employment, as they provide a transition period for both the employee and the employer. Understanding the notice period requirements in your country and following them can help ensure a smooth and professional departure from your job.
What happens when you get a new job offer and hand in the resignation letter
When you receive a new job offer and decide to accept it, you typically submit a resignation letter to your current employer. This letter informs the employer that you are leaving your current position and provides a formal notice of departure. The process of resigning and transitioning to a new job can vary, but common steps include the following:
1. Accepting the new job offer
You review the terms of the offer, negotiate, and formally accept the offer by signing the contract.
2. Giving notice to your current employer
You write a resignation letter and provide it to your supervisor or HR department. The letter should include your last day of work and any relevant information.
3. Working through your notice period
You continue working at your current employer until the notice period ends. It allows the company to make arrangements for your departure.
4. Finalizing loose ends
You complete remaining tasks and projects, return company property, and tie up any loose ends before leaving (for example, sign some additional documents).
5. Starting your new job
You begin your first day at the new job and start the process of integrating into your new role.
How the notice period varies between countries
No two countries on Earth are the same, and notice period rules also differ depending on where you are. In some places, the local Labor Code forces employers and employees to follow strict guidelines or face penalties. In other countries, there is no law that enforces this. Maxima Consulting operates in several countries. Read further to learn how the notice period requirements vary in India, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, the UK, and the US.
India
The notice period in India is usually specified in the employment contract, but if not, the Industrial Disputes Act of 1947 sets the minimum notice period at one month. However, some companies have longer notice periods, especially for senior employees. Many IT companies extend their notice periods to 90 days, so it’s best to confirm the length of your notice period with your current employer.
The Netherlands
In the Netherlands, the length of the notice period is usually specified in the employment contract. If not, the notice period is determined by the Dutch Civil Code. The minimum notice period is 1 month for employees who have worked for less than 5 years, 2 months for employees who have worked for 5 to 9 years, 3 months for employees who worked between 10 and 14 years, and 4 months for employees who have worked over 15 years for one company.
Poland
In Poland, the notice period is typically specified in the employment contract, but if not, it's determined by the Polish Labor Code. The minimum notice period for employees who have worked for less than 6 months is 2 weeks. If an employee has worked more than 6 months but less than 3 years, the notice period is 1 month. In cases where they worked for over 3 years at one company, the notice period is 3 months.
Portugal
In Portugal, the notice period is set by law (Código do Trabalho) and ranges from 15 to 75 days, depending on the length of employment. Employees who worked less than a year at one company have a 15-day notice period. The ones who worked over 1 year but less than 5 have 30 days of notice. The period increases to 60 days when someone works for a company for between 5 and 10 years. Employees who worked for over 10 years in one place have 75 days of notice.
United Kingdom
In the UK, the notice period is typically specified in the employment contract, but if not, the statutory minimum notice period is 1 week for employees who have worked for more than 1 month but less than 2 years, and 1 week for every successive year of work, up to a maximum of 12 weeks.
United States of America
The notice period in the United States is not set by law and varies depending on company policies and employment contract terms. Often there is no requirement to notify your boss before leaving your job, because either party can terminate the relationship without notice, as long as it’s not prohibited by law. However, companies usually add notice periods to the contract that range from 2 weeks to 1 month.
Conclusion
To sum things up, the notice period requirements vary significantly between countries, and it's important to understand the specific requirements in the country where you currently work. Its your duty to always carefully read the offer letter and pay attention to the specified notice period. Since you’re already here, you’ll find some exciting job opportunities on our careers page. At Maxmia, we are always on the lookout for new talent!
