Ending employment
When a job ends, knowing the laws about tying up loose ends is important. There are rules and entitlements about ending employment.
On this page:
Giving notice
Some employees need to give notice when they resign.
When an employee resigns, they can give notice verbally. They don’t need to give it in writing.
Full-time and part-time employees must give notice. The amount of notice an employee must give under the Horticulture Award depends on how long they have worked for the employer.
Casual employees don’t usually need to give notice.
Employers don’t need to give notice to casual employees or seasonal employees (that is an employee employed for the duration of a specified season).
Example: Casuals told to give 7 days notice
A grower tells casual employees they have to give 7 days notice to end their employment.
The employees aren't covered by an award or agreement that includes notice requirements. Their employment contracts don't mention notice.
The grower says they won't sign the employees' pay slips or Employment Verification forms if they don't give 7 days notice.
This is wrong. These employees aren't required to give notice.
Learn more about the rights and rules for notice periods on our Notice and final pay page.
If there is an issue at your workplace, learn about Getting help. You can also send us a tip-off if you want to remain anonymous.
Final pay
There are rules about final pay for employees under the Horticulture Award.
When an employer pays the final pay by cash or cheque, employees need to be paid on their last day of employment. If this isn't possible, the employer needs to mail out all:
- remaining wages by the next working day
- other entitlements (such as annual leave) within 7 days.
When an employer pays the final pay by electronic funds transfer (EFT), employees need to be paid all their entitlements within 7 days of their employment ending.
Final pay should include any outstanding wages, including penalty rates and allowances.
If you are full-time or part-time, it should also include entitlements such as accumulated annual leave.
Learn more on our Final pay page.
