Can You Leave A Contract Job Early?

It’s almost always feasible if you are wondering can you leave a contract job early if you have an employment agreement with a set end date. There are, however, a number of issues that may arise if you decide to do so.

Notice Periods

The Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (‘FW Act’) establishes a framework for workplace relations in Australia. In the absence of a written contract term, it provides for termination notice under section 117 of the FW Act (Cth). An award or enterprise bargaining agreement (‘EBA’) may provide for notification of termination to be given

Can you leave a contract job early? Well, If you decide to leave your job, you should review your Award, EBA (Employee Benefits Administration), or employment contract. The required period of notice is usually specified in one of these documents.

There should be no legal ramifications for you if you give notice of termination in accordance with your contract, Award, or EBA.

You might be an employee of a firm that has gone bankrupt or closed its doors suddenly. However, some people will find themselves in situations that are unusual and beyond the scope of their employment contracts.

If you’re offered a position on short notice, it’s possible that there isn’t a notice period.

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How Can You Leave A Contract Job Early Professionally?

To understand how can you leave a contract job early on good terms and maintain professionalism throughout the procedure, follow these steps:

Write A Resignation Letter

Create a resignation letter that you can hand to your boss. Include information on why you’re leaving and the day you plan to quit. Thank the company for the chances it has given you while at work. Maintain a businesslike demeanor and tone while writing your resignation note. A farewell letter is necessary for HR personnel and other corporate departments to have documentation.

Read More: How to Write a Great Resignation Letter

Consider The Individual Or Firm Who Hired You

If you got your job through a staffing firm, notify them of your intentions to leave. If you went to the staffing agency to apply for the position, you can do it over the phone or in person.

You may also conduct a video conference to address any issues that come up. Unless you only have their email address, you should use it as your last resort for contact.

Schedule A Meeting

Can you leave a contract job early? First of all, Make an appointment with your supervisor to discuss your decision to leave the firm and any other relevant individuals. If at all feasible, hold the meeting in person so you can give your resignation letter simultaneously.

It’s possible that your letter will be sent to a wider audience than you first anticipated, or it may inspire your employer to contact you with more questions. If meeting in person isn’t an option, consider scheduling a phone call or a video meeting to share the news instead.

Complete Your Exit Strategy

When you meet with the proper supervisors, you’ll begin your notice period of at least two weeks. To get ready for the change, finish everything you agreed to do in the meeting.

This may be your last opportunity to make a good first impression on your supervisor and coworkers, which might come in handy if you need a reference or want to work with the firm again in the future.

This also helps avoid an unhealthy relationship with the staffing agency or individual who assisted you in obtaining employment so that they can assist you again in the future.

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What If There Is No Notice Period?

An employer that terminates a fixed-term employment contract without providing the required notice period may be held responsible for the rest of the term.

An employee who quits a fixed-term contract early, on the other hand, is subject to the same dangers as those mentioned above, with the exception that he or she is less likely to be pursued.

Can You Leave A Contract Job Early? Here Are A Number Of Things To Think About

‘Gardening Leave’

Can you leave a contract job early? Let’s talk about “garden leaves”. In certain cases, an employer may instruct an employee to refrain from coming to work for the duration of the notice period. This is known as “gardening leave” since the employee is still employed but is paid to stay at home and care for the plants.

The legality of gardening leave is somewhat uncertain, and it is usually contingent on the specifics of each employee and the contract applicable to that employee.

The argument is that it breaches the employer’s duty to provide employment, as well as deprives the departing employee of the respect of work. It is also open to an employer to lawfully and reasonably demand that a worker not appear at work if they are compensated for their efforts.

Regardless, many workers may choose to take advantage of ‘garden leave’ for understandable reasons.

If you’re worried about losing your rights under a new employment agreement, or if you’ve been terminated early and need to know what you’ll be able to do, the first thing we recommend is getting your new contract reviewed before signing it or starting work.

Risks Of Early Termination

An employee is entitled to quit a job without giving notice if the employer breaches (or repudiates) an employment contract. This might be the answer to your “can you leave a contract job early” question! However, if you resign for your own reasons prior to the expiration of the term and do not comply with the period (if any), you will be in breach of the contract.

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If you are in violation, a court may order you to fulfill the employment contract in specific. Quinn v Overland is an example of this; see if your situation is similar. However, courts are usually reluctant to grant these kinds of orders, and they have previously compared them to slavery.

If you believe your employer is treating you unfairly, can you leave a contract job early? Yes, on the grounds that your former boss has violated laws regarding discrimination in the workplace. Alternatively, if you are underpaid or overworked and feel there is no reasonable cause for doing so, you can use your rights as a worker to fight back.

If the company can’t provide adequate space, you may expect that they’ll appreciate your flexibility. Because this is unusual and unlikely to be cost-effective for employers, hiring an employee with these characteristics might not be a good idea. The danger rises for employees who are highly trained and/or difficult to replace.