How much notice do you have to give if you resign?
Yes — you can resign at any time, but not on the same day, and the popular myth that 'two weeks' notice is enough' is out of date. Under Article 55 of the Labour Code, an employee without important reasons may terminate the contract by written notice to the employer 20 calendar days in advance — not 14, as under the old code. Within 3 working days of filing, the employee may withdraw the request; after that only with the employer's consent. On this ground no severance is paid; the employee receives only wages for time worked and compensation for unused holiday. The key thing people miss: with important reasons (for example illness, wages unpaid for more than two months, or downtime through no fault of the employee), the contract is terminated under Article 56 — with only 5 working days' notice and severance of 1–2 average wages.
📋 The rules
- Give the employer written notice 20 calendar days in advance (Art 55 LC), not 14
- The request can be withdrawn within 3 working days, later only with the employer's consent
- Without important reasons no severance is paid; only wages and holiday compensation are due
- With important reasons, the contract ends under Art 56 LC — with 5 working days' notice
- Under Art 56 severance of 1–2 average wages is due
🔓 Exceptions
- With the employer's consent the contract can be ended sooner than after 20 calendar days
- Important reasons — illness, disability, downtime not caused by the employee, delayed wages — change the notice and severance
- Without an agreed dismissal, walking off the job may be treated as absenteeism and dismissal for a breach
⚠️ Penalties & fines
The biggest risk here is not a fine but a damaged work record. If an employee fails to work the notice period and simply stops coming in without the employer's consent, this may be treated as absenteeism, and the employer may dismiss for a gross breach under Article 58 of the Labour Code. What people miss: such a ground for dismissal is recorded in the documents and can hurt the search for a new job, and sometimes bring a claim for damages from the employer. Resigning voluntarily without important reasons means no severance — only wages for time worked and compensation for unused holiday. By contrast, a resignation correctly formalised under Article 56 can bring severance of 1–2 average wages. Disputes over the lawfulness of a dismissal are heard by the Labour Disputes Commission at the State Labour Inspectorate.
📎 Official sources
- e-seimas · Labour Code (Art 55 and 56) →
- State Labour Inspectorate (VDI) · terminating an employment contract →
- e-tar · Labour Code →
❓ Frequently asked
How much notice do you give when resigning?
Without important reasons, you must give the employer written notice 20 calendar days in advance under Article 55 of the Labour Code. The old 14-day rule no longer applies, so the old 'two weeks' figure is out of date.
Can I withdraw my resignation?
Yes, a filed request to terminate the contract can be withdrawn within 3 working days of filing it. After that period, the request can be withdrawn only if the employer specifically agrees to it.
Do you get severance when you resign?
When you resign of your own will without important reasons, no severance is paid — you receive only wages for time worked and compensation for unused holiday. Severance is due only when you leave for important reasons under Article 56.
When is the notice shorter and severance paid?
With important reasons — illness, downtime not caused by the employee, or delayed wages — the contract ends under Article 56 with only 5 working days' notice. In that case the employee is entitled to severance of 1–2 average wages.
What happens if I just stop coming to work?
Walking off the job without working the notice period may be treated as absenteeism, and the employer may dismiss you for a gross breach of duties. Such a ground for dismissal is recorded and can hurt your search for a new job.
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