Resigning from your job
If you want to leave your job (resign) you may do so by simply telling your boss you are leaving.
But, to avoid any misunderstanding between you and your boss, it is best to put your resignation in writing.
This provides a written record of the date you gave notice to your employer that you were going to leave and your intended last day of employment – this will make sure there is no confusion!
Giving notice
To be fair to your employer it is important to let them know that you intend to leave, so that they can start to make arrangements to replace you.
Also, most awards require you to provide your employer with some notice that you intend to leave, so make sure you check your award to ensure that you meet these requirements as part of your employment conditions.
This is important because if you don't give the required notice, your employer has the right to keep your wages for that period!
Notice periods not covered by awards should be set out in your individual employment contract.
Here are some examples of different notice periods - this shows how important it is to know exactly what you have to do:
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Building and Construction Industry (State) Award – one day
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Shop Employees (State) Award – in the first month of employment - no notice period, one week's notice after the first month
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Metal, Engineering and Associated Industries (State) Award
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1 year or less of service – 1 week's notice
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Between 1 and 3 years of service – 2 week's notice
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Between 3 and 5 years of service – 3 week's notice
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5 years and over – 4 week's notice
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When you resign from a job, you should also be paid for any accrued annual leave that may be owing to you.
Certificate of service
Before you leave the job, ask your employer for a certificate of service. This will provide you with a written record of when you started and finished the job and the nature of your work. This can be very handy to show future employers.
