Resignation and notice periods: what to review before leaving a company

When a new opportunity arises, the first question is often, ‘When can I start?’. Before committing to a date with a new employer, however, it is advisable to carefully review the terms of the employment you are about to leave.

The notice period

Notice periods vary. The length can depend on the applicable CCNL (national collective bargaining agreement), your livello (contractual level), your seniority, and specific rules governing the start date. Some *CCNL*s dictate that the notice period must begin on a specific day of the month, while others follow a different system. Proposing an exit date before verifying these rules can cause financial or organisational complications.

Holidays and accrued variable pay

The matter of annual leave also requires attention. Having unused holiday entitlement does not automatically mean you can use it to reduce your notice period. You must consult the relevant rules and your agreements with the company. The same principle applies to periods of absence, which can affect how the notice period is served.

Variable compensation also warrants a review. Bonuses, MBOs (Management by Objectives), and other incentive payments often carry specific conditions, such as vesting dates, continued employment requirements, target achievement, and other plan-specific clauses. Assuming a payment is due merely because the reference period has concluded can be as risky as assuming it is not.

Covenants and formalities

Finally, reread any individual contractual obligations, such as a patto di non concorrenza (non-compete covenant), confidentiality clauses, and terms regarding the return of company property, benefits, salary advances, or other agreements made during your employment.

A decision about your career direction might be developed through career coaching, but the notice period and contractual clauses answer a different question: what are the practical consequences of your departure? The online resignation submission (dimissioni telematiche) is the final formal step, but the decision-making process starts much earlier. A thorough review beforehand enables you to negotiate a realistic start date with a new employer and to understand the financial consequences of the move.