Woman explains why the notice system doesn't mean anything to employers: 'Just leave'

In an era where the labor landscape is evolving and workers seek more transparency and fairness in their employment, one woman is shedding light on an issue that has long been a point of contention: the two-week notice system. The practice of offering a two-week notice before leaving a job is meant to ensure a smooth transition for both the departing employee and the employer. However, a content creator K–who goes by @ktalkstoyou on TikTok–is making a strong case against this traditional practice. K's video response was sparked by a clip from fellow content creator Joey–who goes by @freshcoralhlast on TikTok–who humorously characterized the two-week notice system as a "boomer Oingo Boingo honor system."

With over 215K views and counting, K argues that the two-week notice has become a mere formality, mainly due to the inefficient hiring practices of employers. She points out that this system often fails to serve its intended purpose, putting the onus on the employer to expedite the hiring process. K having personally dealt with this system, offered a real-world perspective on its shortcomings.

She began her video by sharing her experience, explaining, "I put in notice at my job last month and I gave them five weeks of notice, which is, like, a lot, mostly out of respect to my team because I know how long my agency takes to hire new people." Despite going above and beyond by providing five weeks of notice, K's boss still approached her a week later, requesting her to extend her stay. Frustrated with the situation, she emphatically stated, "Your notice means nothing. But, I told them no."

K identified two critical issues that hamper the efficiency of the two-week notice system. Firstly, she pointed to the slow pace of hiring processes as a significant factor. Employers often take an inordinate amount of time to fill vacancies, causing friction when employees try to plan their departures thoughtfully. K also highlighted the employer's unreasonable expectations, noting that they often seek highly qualified candidates willing to accept salaries well below their true worth.

In her own words, "The reason they're not gonna have someone new in that time frame is because their hiring system is so f****ng slow and they expect high credentials with low pay." The result is a situation where employees feel trapped, unable to move on due to systemic inefficiencies that are beyond their control. K concluded her video with a clear message: "It's not my job and it's not your job to fix the system that they created."

K's video ignited a lively discussion in the comment section, with viewers sharing their thoughts and personal experiences with the two-week notice system. One user, @andymcgphoto, offered a balanced perspective and said, "Notice is to wrap up/pass on your tasks to others, not to hire and train a replacement." K responded to this comment, expressing her willingness to train a replacement but underlining that she couldn't wait indefinitely. Another viewer, @wander.wizard, recommended a more straightforward approach and stated, "They never hire in time. If you want to leave, just leave, that's what I say, lmao."

The discussion also unveiled a series of unfortunate experiences where individuals provided two weeks' notice only to be terminated immediately or before their notice period was completed. One user, @buggssprayed.official, shared a frustrating situation, "Turned in my two-week notice. Only worked one week because they didn't even schedule me the second week." @truckerjavi shared, "I have 2 weeks once, had job lined up after those 2. Got laid off immediately. Collected unemployment for 2 weeks and had a minivacation and relaxed."