A key factor affecting your rights when you’re leaving a job is your employment contract. It may include terms that deal with how your employment can be ended. (Note there’s always an employment contract between a worker and an employer, even if nothing is in writing.)

Many employment contracts set out how much notice the worker must give to the employer if they quit.

Make sure you’re aware of any term in your contract that might limit your future activities. For example, a non-compete clause that tries to limit your ability to take a similar job.

If you quit your job, you have a legal obligation to tell your employer ahead of time. The main purpose of the notice is to give the employer a reasonable time to adjust to your departure.

Your employment contract may set out how much notice you need to provide.

If not, the amount of notice must be reasonable in the circumstances. The factors in play include the duties and responsibilities you have, how long you’ve been in the job, and the time it would reasonably take the employer to have others handle your work or to hire a replacement.

For more junior workers, two weeks’ notice is common. For workers with a lot of responsibility, four weeks’ notice is more typical. However, these are only general guidelines.

The best way to tell your employer you quit is to give them a letter of resignation. To be effective, your resignation must be clear. Your employer should have no doubt about your intention to quit. Uttering the words “I quit!” as part of an emotional outburst is not enough.

If you do give notice, your employer can accept or refuse.

If they accept, you’ll continue to earn your regular wage until your last day of work.

If your employer refuses (and says “take your things and go home, you’re done here”), they must pay you compensation. They must pay you for the amount of notice you have given. Or if your legal entitlement to notice on dismissal is a shorter period, they can pay you for that shorter period.

Regardless of whether you notify your employer ahead of time that you’re quitting, your employer must pay all wages owed to you through your last day of work. This includes annual vacation pay, statutory holiday pay, and overtime.

If you’re covered by employment standards law, your employer must pay your outstanding wages within six days of your last day of work.

If you quit your job, you will usually not be eligible to receive employment insurance (EI) benefits. The exception to this rule is if you had no other reasonable choice except to leave your job.

Some examples are:

• you experienced sexual or other harassment
• you needed to move with a spouse or dependent child to another place of residence
• your employer made major changes to your work duties or pay

When you apply for EI, you will have to describe your situation and explain what steps you took to fix the problem before you quit.

Taking these steps can help protect your rights if you quit your job.

Step 1. Try to fix the problem

Step 2. Figure out if you have no other reasonable choice but to quit

Step 3. Check your employment contract

Step 4. Start looking for another job

Step 5. Give your employer notice

If you haven’t quit your job yet, consider options to fix the problem. You might consider:

• talking with your employer
• talking with a trusted colleague or union representative
• asking for new duties or to work under a different manager

If you quit your job and you want to get EI benefits, you must prove you had no other reasonable choice except to quit your job.

Check the terms of your employment contract to make sure you meet any notice requirements on quitting your job.

You can start looking for another job before you quit. If you don’t want your current employer to be contacted, indicate on your application that you’re applying “in confidence.”

It’s best to prepare a letter. It doesn’t need to be overly detailed. It should fit on a single page and include:

• a clear statement that you're going to resign
• the date of your last day of work
• your appreciation for what you have learned
• an offer to help with the transition

Hand the letter to your employer in person. Even if it’s uncomfortable. It’s the professional thing to do.

We explain these steps in more detail and have more information on your rights if you quit your job. See our in-depth coverage of this topic.

Consider reaching out to these agencies for help if you quit your job.

Employment Standards Branch

Administers the law in BC that sets minimum standards for workers.

Call 1-800-663-3316Visit website

Employment and Social Development Canada

Administers the law that protects workers in federally-regulated industries.

Call 1-800-641-4049Visit website

There are options for free legal advice.

Lawyer Referral Service

Helps you connect with a lawyer for a complimentary 15-minute consult to see if you want to hire them.

Call 1-800-663-1919Visit website

Access Pro Bono's Free Legal Advice

Volunteer lawyers provide 30 minutes of free legal advice to people with low or modest income.

Call 1-877-762-6664Visit website

People’s Law School

See more options for free or low-cost legal help.

Visit website