The Comprehensive Guide to Calculating a 90-Day Notice Period

Introduction

When leaving a job, professionals must adhere to the designated notice period to ensure a smooth transition and avoid legal issues. Understanding how to calculate a 90-day notice period is crucial for both the employee and employer. This article will guide you through the process, including common misunderstandings and state-specific variations.

Understanding the 90-Day Notice Period

A 90-day notice period typically means providing three months' notice before leaving your employment. It is an essential part of the exit process, especially in multinational companies (MNCs) and many small businesses. However, there are important nuances to consider.

Initiating the Notice Period

Contrary to popular belief, your 90-day notice period begins the moment you initiate it through your company's portal, not when you send an email to your supervisor. This is often misunderstood by IT professionals and others, but it is a crucial distinction. Once you submit your request or leave the necessary information in the company portal, your notice period commences.

For example, if you submit your notice via the company portal on September 9, 2022, your 90-day notice period will start on that date. You can use a date calculator to find the ending date.

How to Calculate the Notice Period

To calculate the 90-day notice period, start with the date your notice was submitted. In a typical example, if your notice was submitted on September 9, 2022, here is how the calculation would work:

September 2022: 27 days (from the 9th to the 30th) October 2022: 31 days November 2022: 30 days December 2022: 2 days

Adding these days together, you get a total of 90 days. Therefore, your notice period would end on December 2, 2022, and the 91st day would be December 3, 2022.

Consideration of Holidays and Weekends

In the United States, the calculation of the notice period can be a bit more nuanced. According to Federal law, if the 90-day period ends on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, the end date is pushed to the following business day. However, in some states, weekends and holidays are not included in the calculation.

For example, if your 90-day notice period ends on a Saturday or Sunday, the period would roll over to the next Monday. If it ends on a federal holiday, it would also roll over to the next business day.

Conclusion

Maintaining a proper notice period is not just about adhering to company policies, but also about avoiding legal and financial disputes. By understanding the nuances of the 90-day notice period and how to calculate it, you can ensure a smoother transition and a better exit process.