Výpovedná lehota (notice period) is the period of warning that must pass from the moment you submit a resignation letter (výpoveď) until your employment officially ends. In simple terms, it's the "working out" period.
Key things to know
- The period is the same for both sides — whether you are resigning or your employer is dismissing you.
- The length depends on your length of service at this job: usually, it's at least one month, and longer for longer service.
- The period usually starts on the first day of the calendar month following the delivery of the výpoveď.
You must submit your resignation in writing. During the výpovedná lehota, you continue to work and receive your salary. An alternative is a dohoda o skončení (agreement to terminate by mutual consent), where you can agree on any date without working out the notice period. If you do not respect the notice period and simply stop coming to work, your employer may demand compensation. For the exact duration, check your contract and the Zákonník práce (Labor Code).