Notice Period | Meaning and Definition

What is the notice period?

A notice period is a duration of time specified in an employment contract during which an employee must provide notice to the employer before quitting their job. The notice period typically starts from the time an employee first submits his resignation and ends on the last day of the work. It is a standard procedure followed in every organization to give the employer enough time to look for the replacement of the employee who resigns from the organization. The typical notice period is two weeks, but it can be longer or shorter depending on the situation.

Some people might quit their job without giving notice because they think it’ll give them a better chance of finding a new job quickly. But in most cases, quitting without giving notice makes it more difficult to find another job in the future. Therefore, it’s always best to give notice and leave on good terms, even if you’re not happy with your current job.

Tasks to complete during the notice period

An employee works on various tasks while serving a notice period. Some of these tasks may include:

•   Getting paid final salary
•   Returning company property
•   Completing any assigned projects
•   Preparing handover documents
•   Assisting with training new staff members

Benefits of notice period for employer

There are several benefits of a notice period for employers:

•   It allows the employer time to find a replacement for the departing employee. This is especially important if the employee has specialized knowledge or skills that are not easy to find.
•   It gives the employer time to adjust to the change in staffing. 
•   It allows the employer to review the employee’s work performance and decide whether to offer them a severance package.
•   It allows the employer time to settle any outstanding legal issues with the departing employee. An employee’s departure can often lead to disruptions in workflow and increased workloads for other employees.