How and Why You May Quit Your Job Without Notice

When you leave one employer for another, you should give at least two weeks' notice. But this isn't a hard and fast rule, and you may need to quit without giving any notice. Find out when it's appropriate to quit without notice and how to handle it without burning too many bridges.

What's the Standard for Quitting?

For the most part, an employer expects you to give a notice period before you quit. The same is true for your employer - if they fire you, they should give you fair notice. Notice periods protect you and your employer.

As a general rule, you should give your employer a notice period of two weeks. This gives your employer some time to find a replacement and also gives them time to train the replacement. Two weeks doesn't always allow for that, so you may need to give an even longer notice period.

Your notice period depends on your job and what the employee handbook says. If you signed a contract with the employer, the notice period could be in the contract. Read over all the documentation to find out your exact notice period. Whether the period is one week or one month, you should aim to give your employer as much time as possible to fill the position without jeopardizing your new job.

When is it Acceptable to Leave Immediately?

Before you think about leaving with no notice, take a look at your employment contract. There could be repercussions for your actions.

If you don't comply with the contract, you could face legal action. So, consider the consequences before you do anything. It may be worth staying unless you feel as if you're in danger or you have no choice.

In the following instances, you may be able to quit without giving any notice:

Medical or family emergency

Unsafe workplace conditions

Multiple firings or layoffs

Ethical differences

Temporary contract work

If you do breach your contract or quit with no notice, you should take a few measures to ease the blow to your employer. You could encounter them in the future and should minimize the conflict as much as possible.

Is It Right to Quit?

First, ask yourself whether or not you should quit. Take some time to think about your reasons for leaving. Is it for medical reasons? If so, you may be able to go on leave or work something out with your employer.

Are you quitting because of an issue with your manager or colleague? In this case, you may not need to be so hasty. You can speak to HR about the situation or go to a supervisor. Before you quit, you should consult with someone and deal with the issue in a professional manner.

Quitting should only be a last resort. With that said, you deserve a certain level of safety in the workplace, and you deserve to be happy. If you've exhausted your options or you don't feel safe, you may not have another option. Staying for even a few more weeks may be out of the question. Don't put your physical or mental health on the line.

How to Quit with no Notice

If you decide it's time to leave your employer with no notice, here are a few steps you should take:

Explain the Reason for Your Departure

First, tell your employer that you're leaving with no notice. You can do so verbally or in writing. Although you're not legally obligated to give your reasons for leaving, you should. Don't be accusatory or emotional in your explanation, or you won't improve the situation.

If your departure is due to medical reasons, you don't need to be specific. You have no obligation to disclose a serious illness or a family conflict. However, being candid with your employer could help the employer understand your reasons for leaving. In fact, they may be willing to offer you a sabbatical or allow you to come back Lin the future.

Acknowledge the Consequences

When you suddenly leave, you put your employer in a bad position. Their business and operation could suffer in many ways. In your resignation email or statement, you should acknowledge that your absence will be a challenge for them.

You may be able to offer help finding a replacement or offer to help train someone. However, this isn't always possible or ideal. If you're leaving because of unsafe working conditions, you shouldn't involve yourself in the hiring process.

As a side note, you should consider the personal implications of quitting with no notice. You may experience financial hardship as you look for a new position. Furthermore, you could find it difficult to find a new job. If someone calls up your previous employer, they probably won't hear about your accomplishments.

Plan Ahead

As much as you can, try to plan ahead. Think about how you will handle life after you leave your job. If you have money saved up, how long can you survive without working? Do you have any financial resources to help you? Consider looking into government assistance if needed.

If you will be looking for a new job right away, consider your options. Do you want to be in the same industry, or is it time for a career change? You could end up in the same position in the near future, if you don't choose your job carefully, you may need to make another quick escape.

Be Ready to Talk

When you apply for new jobs, you can expect the hiring managers to ask about your previous employer. Lying about it will only result in trouble, so you should remain honest. Before you send in job applications, think about how you plan to explain your resignation to hiring managers.

Although leaving a job suddenly can be a red flag to new employers, it doesn't need to keep you from working. Prepare yourself to discuss your reasons for leaving and you can still come across as an excellent job applicant.