If you have your eye on a new job and want to start with your new employer, it is important to properly terminate your Updates contract. Just like your employer, you must adhere to certain rules when resigning.
Type of contract
First of all, it is important to determine what type of contract you have. A fixed-term or an open-ended contract. Different rules apply to each.
Fixed-term
Do you have a fixed-term contract? Then your contract has an end date. This means that the contract will automatically end after a certain period. You have entered into the contract for a specific period, so terminating it before the end date is generally not possible. Have you agreed on a probationary period? You can, of course, resign during the probationary period. Terminating earlier than the end date is only possible if this is agreed upon in your contract.
Is there nothing mentioned in your contract? Then you can agree with your employer that you can leave earlier than the end date. Together with your employer, you will determine the notice period (mutual agreement). Make sure to put these agreements in writing and have them checked before signing! If your employer does not agree and you decide to leave anyway, your employer may decide to claim the remaining months you should have worked as compensation. This could include wages and/or lost revenue.
Tip: resign in writing so you have proof of your resignation and when it occurred.
Open-ended
Do you have an open-ended contract? Then your contract does not have an end date. With an open-ended contract, it is possible to resign, but you must consider a notice period. The notice period for you as an employee is, by law, a full calendar month. It is customary to resign at the end of the calendar month. The employment contract can deviate from this up to a maximum notice period of six months. In that case, the notice period for the employer must be at least twice as long. If your employment contract contains a different notice period, you must adhere to it.
Provisions in employment contract or CLA
Your employment contract may contain a different provision or notice period. For example, a different period (four weeks) or when you must resign (before the 20th of the month). The CLA follows the legal regulation, but another CLA may contain a different provision. Always check this carefully!
Note: if you resign yourself, you are not entitled to social benefits. You can never just leave without observing a notice period!