January 27th, 2022
An HR Manager’s Guide: What to Do if an Employee Quits Without Notice
2021 saw what was termed the “Great Resignation,” with a whopping 4.5 million Americans resigning from their jobs in November. Business owners are still reeling from these disruptions. Therefore, it’s best to anticipate such scenarios and have a solid replacement strategy.
So, what should you do if an employee quits without notice? Here’s a guide for employers.
What Is the Two-Week Notice Rule? Is It Mandatory?
The two-week notice is an advance notice given to employers when an employee is leaving the company. Currently, state and federal laws do not require workers to provide this notice before quitting. Moreover, every state except Montana is an at-will state. This doctrine allows the employee to leave at any moment without notice.
What Happens if an Employee Quits Without Notice While Under a Contract?
The at-will doctrine covers all employment contracts, thereby guiding the employment relationship. Even so, an employment contract will include the steps your company’s employees should follow when terminating their contracts, including the two-week notice.
It is worth noting that your company might be legally allowed to penalize an employee for leaving suddenly in cases where a policy and handbook exists. Depending on state laws, these disbenefits may include loss of PTO benefits or unemployment benefits.
Should Employees Give Two-Weeks’ Notice If Your Company Lacks a Handbook, Manual, or Policy?
While Florida is an at-will state, there are several reasons why employees need to notify the company before quitting.
- Common courtesy – A warning provides the HR resources department with sufficient time to find a replacement. Moreover, it allows remaining team members to learn the additional tasks that come with employee departure.
- Professionalism – Giving a two-week or more notice period shows professionalism.
- A warning before quitting helps to maintain a positive employment relationship between all parties, from employers to team members.
Why Do Some Employees Quit Without Notice?
It can be challenging to bring operations back to normal as an employer if an employee quits without notice. If you are wondering, here are a few reasons why some work and why some do not.
- Family commitment – One reason many employees quit without notice is to respond to family emergencies. For instance, a family member may require extensive care. In other cases, a partner may receive a sudden job opportunity.
- Health reasons – A physical injury or illness is another common reason employees leave without notice.
- A job offer – Sometimes, an employee may receive an employment opportunity that requires them to move to another state or country.
What To Do if an Employee Quits Without Notice
Creating a checklist of things to do if an employee quits without notice can help provide an untroubled transition period.
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Find out if the departing employee can perform an exit interview.
Exit interviews are a fantastic way to get insights into the working conditions of departing employees. To determine whether they are willing, send them an email and ask whether they would be open to a physical or virtual exit interview.
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Release a memo to announce their departure
Putting out a memo ensures employees are aware of the employee’s departure. It also gives team members time to wrap up any incomplete projects.
Ensure your notice is positive and addressed to the relevant departments. It’s also best to inform the remaining members of the next steps. If applicable, host a farewell event for the departing employee.
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Arrange for redistribution of duties among team members
It is crucial to hold a meeting to discuss the remaining team members’ additional responsibilities before getting a replacement. It would be wise to give them tasks based on their strengths to reduce the stress of the extra workload.
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Begin the hiring process
Typically, your HR department will write and post a job ad on several job boards. However, we recommend working with an employment agency to ensure your new hire is the right fit to avoid future unexpected resignations.
A reliable staffing agency will help find a replacement within a shorter timeframe. This agency will recommend whether an internal or external replacement is the ideal staffing solution. Furthermore, they will also support the onboarding process to promote a smooth sailing transition.
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Inform the departing employee when they should expect their final paycheck
Federal laws state that employees receive the final payment on a company’s payday. Even so, some states have different regulations. For instance, employers must pay departing employees within 72 hours in California. Moreover, you may have to include the worker’s accrued benefits.
Sudden employee resignations can impact a company’s performance and even result in massive economic losses. To avoid this, we recommend working with an employment agency that will streamline your hiring process, ensuring your new hires are the right fit.
Contact PrideStaff Today
PrideStaff is an employment agency in Fort Lauderdale that offers administrative and clerical, and call center staffing services. Contact us today to learn how we can help you meet your staffing needs.