Quick answer: Ontario’s Employment Standards Act generally does not require an employee to give two weeks’ notice before resigning. However, a written employment contract, collective agreement or common-law obligation may apply. Giving reasonable notice is usually professional and can help protect references and workplace relationships.
This is general information, not legal advice. Get advice before leaving suddenly when you hold a senior, specialized or difficult-to-replace position.
Is two weeks’ notice legally required in Ontario?
There is no general ESA rule saying every employee must provide exactly two weeks. The familiar “two weeks” is primarily a workplace custom. Your own contract may require a particular notice period, and some employees may have a common-law duty to give reasonable notice if an abrupt departure would foreseeably harm the employer.
Check these documents before resigning
- Your employment agreement and any amendments
- The employee handbook or resignation policy
- A collective agreement if you are unionized
- Bonus, commission or repayment terms
- Confidentiality, non-solicitation and return-of-property clauses
How much notice should you give?
Two weeks is common for many non-management jobs. A longer handover may be appropriate for managers, project owners or specialized workers. A shorter period may be reasonable when health, safety, harassment or another serious issue makes continued work difficult, but individual advice can be important.
| Situation | Practical approach |
|---|---|
| Typical hourly or entry-level role | Two weeks is a common professional courtesy |
| Contract specifies notice | Review the exact wording before choosing a date |
| Senior or specialized role | Consider a longer, orderly handover |
| Unsafe or serious workplace problem | Document the issue and seek advice before acting |
How to resign properly
- Choose your intended last working day.
- Review your contract and outstanding vacation.
- Write a short, professional resignation letter.
- Tell your manager, then provide the letter by email or another traceable method.
- Offer reasonable handover notes.
- Return keys, uniforms, devices and confidential information.
- Keep copies of your resignation and final pay records.
Simple resignation letter example
Subject: Resignation — [Your Name]
Please accept this message as formal notice of my resignation from my position as [Job Title]. My intended final working day is [Date]. Thank you for the opportunities and experience I gained during my employment. I will help organize a reasonable handover before my departure.
Can your employer refuse your resignation?
An employer generally cannot force you to remain employed. It may choose to accept the resignation immediately and direct you not to work through the proposed notice period. What the employer must pay in that situation can depend on the contract and the circumstances.
What must be included in final pay?
Your final pay may include unpaid wages, overtime, earned vacation pay and other amounts owed under the ESA or your contract. Review the wage statement using our Ontario pay-stub checklist. A Record of Employment may also be required after an interruption of earnings; see our ROE guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can I quit without notice during probation?
The ESA generally does not impose a universal employee notice period, but your probation clause and common-law obligations should still be reviewed.
Will quitting affect EI?
Voluntarily leaving without just cause can affect EI regular-benefit eligibility. Service Canada decides based on the facts. Read our EI application guide.
Can an employer deduct money because I quit?
An employer cannot make any deduction it wants. Ontario wage-deduction rules still apply. Review our wage deductions guide.
Official sources
Use the Government of Ontario’s Employment Standards Act guide and Service Canada’s EI information about voluntarily leaving for current rules.
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