When giving 2 weeks notice, is it 2 calendar weeks or business weeks?

Question

I had put in 2 weeks a week ago. My manager conned me into giving him 2 business weeks (10 business days that I am there working). I was out sick for a day and is planning on leaving early but my next job starts shortly after my 2 weeks. I am out of PTO days and he wants me to stay for additional days that I am out sick. Is that legal?

Answer 1

Typically 2 weeks notice is business days, or 10 working days. If you gave notice on a Friday, you would usually end on a Friday. Even if you gave notice on Monday, the following Friday is still typically your last day.
If you don't come in one of those days, oh well. Your last day is your last day.
Giving notice is a Courtesy not a requirement.
Good luck with your new job

Answer 2

The most important thing is, would you get paid for the time you worked, if you did it your way, and if not, would it hurt you to take the loss or a delay in getting paid? It's clear your manager is an a**hole, but if you're in a very small company where he has control over your paycheck, then if I were you I would worry more about getting paid than about any legalities. I don't suppose you would fight it all the way to the supreme court.

If your manager controls your paycheck, it might be better to work the extra day, to get your money. But if you work for a big company, then ask the company's personnel officer or payroll department what the policy is. Or is there somebody else in the company that you could ask, like the person that makes out the paychecks?

Unless you have a contract with them that says otherwise, it looks to me like they should let you work for the 9 days, and simply pay you for 9 days. Also consider that, in most companies, a person can quit whenever they want to, and the 2 weeks' notice is only a courtesy. It looks to me like your manager is trying to be such an S.O.B. that you don't owe him or her much courtesy.

And finally, if you know that you have your new job nailed down as a sure thing, then they have decided they want you, and they may not care about your old manager.

Answer 3

It depends on your employer and whatever is the company policy. If you had paid sick days and used a sick day as part of your two weeks notice, it's no different than showing up for all the days during those two weeks. You shouldn't feel pressured into staying longer than your final day at your workplace.

If those extra days that your manager wants you to work are after your last day at work and are unpaid, that is illegal. You should consult with your company's HR department on this matter, or a labor law specialist.

Answer 4

two weeks are business weeks. Unless you are under contract you are actually not obligated to give this much time. It is good business practice for your reputation to give your current company enough time to find a replacement or fill the void left by your absences. You should go to your manager and tell him by the date what your last day is. Let him know that you already commit to your new job and that is all you can do. Sick or vacation days during this time should have no bearing.

Answer 5

I generally give 2 calendar weeks, sometimes adding on a few business days.

Without a contract, you're not obligated to work. Just tell him you're sorry, but you are expected at the new job and will not be able to do it.

Answer 6

Tell him "no-way-Jose." Let him know that you are expected at another job by a certain date.

Also, if he's that much of a hard-ball, tell him that your sick day off is free to him. In other words, it's unpaid time off, so the company won't have to absorb it.

Answer 7

That's not wrong

Answer 8

thanks everyone for the answers!