Hello!
So I started working in this company since December of last year. It was okay at first but it became toxic and “true colors” showed. I wanted to get out and finally found a new job which starts next month.
Is it okay to give a month’s notice? Are there penalties for giving it late?
Thank you!
9 comments
A month’s notice is fine, but check the company’s work rules to be sure.
Worst case they could deprive you of bonuses maybe try to fire you on the spot. They can’t reduce pay on days you already worked however. Other than that I can’t think of any other repurcussions.
Legally you only need to give two weeks notice in Japan. Your contract will let you know if there are any penalties for resigning in less than three months. In all likeliness, it’s probably worth it to bite the bullet so that you can move into your new position! Best of luck!
Fun fact: You cannot sign away certain rights.
[https://elaws.e-gov.go.jp/document?lawid=129AC0000000089#2680](https://elaws.e-gov.go.jp/document?lawid=129AC0000000089#2680)
[https://www.a-tm.co.jp/top/job-change/best-retirement-service/want-to-retire/](https://www.a-tm.co.jp/top/job-change/best-retirement-service/want-to-retire/)
Basically, you give 2 weeks notice and you’re fine. Your contract can stipulate any amount of time, but it doesn’t matter, you can sign a contract stating that you will give 30 years notice, but employment law will override it. The Government of Japan says 2 weeks, so it is 2 weeks. If your current(soon-to-be former) employer wants to cause trouble, the law is on your side.
Does your contract have an ending date?
Okay to help the folks who don’t understand how this actually works and there is a fair bit of misinformation:
1. Resignation notice >2 weeks is legal for limited term contracts in the first year or until the first renewal, whichever comes first.
2. After that time 2 weeks is the minimum required by law regardless of what’s in the contract.
3. None of this applies to permanent employees.
So what happens if you give less than the contractually required notice?
Not a god-damned thing. I have never heard of anyone actually being taken to court over these. The company would have to open up it’s books to show you caused financial damage to it by breaking contract and that damage is almost never going to be enough to justify the expense of hiring a lawyer to go to court unless you are a high level executive and then you’d be asking a lawyer not reddit.
So what I would expect is a lot of teeth sucking, attempts to change your mind, and maybe telling you they don’t accept your resignation.
Your response should be it doesn’t matter if you accept it or not I won’t be here. Please see the section of my resignation letter (always put it in writing) where I request all outstanding pay and documents within 7 days of my last day.
If they attempt any financial tomfoolery talk to the labor board about filing a request for unpaid wages.
Give a month’s notice. It will probably be ok. Might get a little irritating to deal with.
Now, I think this should be avoided but you possibly could hold mental stress in your back pocket since you have mentioned this is a toxic workplace. People take med leave and the company is screwed because now you are protected. My impression is that it isn’t all that hard to get med leave either. So…you want me on med leave for the next few months? Or just out in 1 month and we all move on?
3 months is too long and in my experience jut opens up to toxic bully opportunities for an abusive employer. I rode it out but called out my employer every time something abusive, intrusive or just crossing the line happened.
Starts next month? As in May 1?