How much notice do I REALLY need to give to leave my job?

Question

I'm an independent contract...and I believe my contract says I need to give 30 days notice. Any ideas what the laws are for KY and PA.

Answer 1

Go back and read your contract again. The laws in KY and PA will not over ride what you signed in your contract. If you signed for 30 days, then that is your legally obligated notice. If you give them less than what you signed in your contract, you open yourself to a lawsuit.

Answer 2

As a contractor, no employment law on this matter really applies. You are in the area of contract law where nearly anything goes. I suspect that the company contracting you may be able to sue for damages if yuo bail on the contract without providing the required notice. Of course, you can negotiate around that with a letter of understanding or demand a new contract and start the 30 day timer and see if they give it to you.

Your questions really are:
1) Can a 30 day notice requirement be enforced in a business contract.

2) If a person breaches the 30 day notice requirement, what damages is the opposition likely to be able to charge

3) If the contracting company sues, is the debt collectible?

Answer to 1) is yes. It's very common in business to business relationships to have 30 day notification requirements. You don't represent an employment relationship, you represent a business relationship.

Answer to 2) is open. If the contract is well written, it should specify the damages for non compliance. See what they are and decide for yourself if you can live with them.

Answer to 3) is highly state dependent. It's very hard to collect on a decision in the state of Texas.

I am not a lawyer, I don't even play one on TV, and the material I have presented here for you is not a substitute for legal advice. You should have your contract (or lack of a contract) reviewed by an attorney licensed to practice in the state where you work. Unfortunately, the state where you work can be difficult to determine sometimes for contractors, particularly if they are mobile. It can also change according to the legal theory or statute to be applied.

Answer 3

I can't speak to the law, but I would recommend you offer the standard 2-weeks. As an independant contractor you have only yourself (and the law) to answer to, but you don't want to black-ball yourself in the industry by leaving with no notice. This assumes you have been in a position for over 2 months. If it's less than 2 months, I recommend 1 week. If it's less than a couple of weeks, you don't really have to give any notice because they haven't invested that much time in you.

Answer 4

If you are in a contract then you need to stick to that agreement or you could be sued. I would research it further before you brake the contract. it doesn't matter if you are independent or not a contract is a contract.

Answer 5

Have the other party broke the contract, or are you just what to get out of it. If you just what to get out of it just give your 30 days and be on your way.

Answer 6

If it says 30 days in your contract, I'd go with that.

Answer 7

Your contract is a legally binding document. If it says 30 days then you must give thirty days. However, you can always ask them if they will allow you to leave early. Also, many companies these days will pay you for the thirty days but ask that you leave immediately for security reasons.

Answer 8

ITS 2 WEEKS. BUT IF YOU WANT A GOOD REFRENCE,I WOULD REALY LOOK OVER THE CONTRACT. THAT WAY YOUR NEW JOB WILL SEE YOU WILL NOT LEAVE THEM HANGING.

Answer 9

2 weeks notice.

Answer 10

check your contract, standard is two weeks notice.