Leaving work
Giving notice
If you decide to leave your job (resign) you need to tell your employer in advance. This is known as ‘giving notice’.
Letter of resignation
It is best to tell your employer that you are planning to leave your job in a letter, so there is a written record of the date you gave notice to your employer. Make sure that you give them the required amount of notice as set out in your award or agreement.
Advance notice of resignation
Most awards and agreements will tell you how much advance notice you need to give.
It is important to check this because if you don’t give the amount of notice required, your employer can keep some of your wages for that period!
Other documentation
It is a good idea to ask your boss for a certificate of service and a written reference before you leave.
Ending a fixed contract
A fixed contract is a contract for employment that is fixed for a certain period of time or for a particular task or project.
The end date of a fixed contract should be included in the contract, along with the other terms and conditions of employment such as the notice period required if the task or project ends earlier than expected and all other circumstances that would allow the contract to end.
If the contract has to end before the stated date, your employer should give you a written statement outlining when and why the contract is ending.
