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Antiwork

PSA: Never, ever, give notice without a contract safeguarding you

It is sad and tiring to read yet another post about someone being fired for giving notice. A fair contract might be what is the norm where notice period os governed by law, i.e. to be fired without cause, you have to either receive notice or, if the company doesn't want you working the notice period, be paid in full for that period. With these terms, if they fire you for giving notice, they are still on hook for the notice period. I would go as far as asking in the interview: “Do you require notice if I quit? I would only give notce if I also get it if I am laid off. Can we put this agreement in writing?” Sure you might not be in position to do this and risk losing the position (from a shitty boss, at least). But someone has to start to change this…


It is sad and tiring to read yet another post about someone being fired for giving notice.

A fair contract might be what is the norm where notice period os governed by law, i.e. to be fired without cause, you have to either receive notice or, if the company doesn't want you working the notice period, be paid in full for that period.

With these terms, if they fire you for giving notice, they are still on hook for the notice period.

I would go as far as asking in the interview: “Do you require notice if I quit? I would only give notce if I also get it if I am laid off. Can we put this agreement in writing?”

Sure you might not be in position to do this and risk losing the position (from a shitty boss, at least). But someone has to start to change this bullshit status quo of “notice is a professional courtesy”.

UPDATE: I don't really appreciate how awkward would it be to ask for a (written) contract for normal job in US, but I do understand that most workers have none. In this case, my suggestion boils down to: “don't give notice”.

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