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Resigning without notice: when employees may leave immediately

Employees can also resign without notice, but only for an important reason, such as substantial wage arrears, serious assaults or health-endangering conditions. Usually you must first issue a warning to the employer. An unjustified immediate resignation can become expensive.

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If there is an important reason that makes it unreasonable for you to continue, you can terminate the employment relationship extraordinarily without notice (§ 626 BGB), for example in cases of substantial wage default or serious violations of personal rights.
The termination must occur within two weeks of learning of the reason. With a self-initiated resignation, a blocking period on unemployment benefit also looms if no important reason is recognized.

What you should do now

  1. 1

    1. Check the important reason

    Is there a serious reason that is unreasonable for you to bear? Gather evidence (wage records, incidents, medical certificates).

  2. 2

    2. As a rule, issue a warning

    Usually you must first warn the employer and give an opportunity to remedy, unless that is obviously futile.

  3. 3

    3. Observe the two-week deadline

    The immediate termination must be declared within two weeks of learning of the important reason.

  4. 4

    4. Clarify the blocking-period risk

    Before registering as unemployed, clarify whether the agency recognizes the important reason, otherwise a blocking period of up to twelve weeks looms.

How to spot the scam

  • You resign without notice out of anger, without an important reason and without a warning.
  • You wait longer than two weeks after learning of the reason.
  • You register as unemployed without knowing the blocking-period consequences.

Frequently asked questions

When may I as an employee resign without notice?

For an important reason that makes continuing the employment relationship unreasonable (§ 626 BGB), such as substantial wage arrears, physical assault or health-endangering conditions. Usually a warning is required beforehand.

What deadline applies?

The immediate termination must be declared within two weeks of the moment you learned of the important reason. After that, extraordinary termination is generally excluded.

Do I get unemployment benefit after resigning without notice?

In principle yes, but a blocking period looms if the Employment Agency does not recognize an important reason. Clarify this beforehand and keep evidence for your reason for resigning.

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General information for self-help, not legal advice (RDG). In case of a high loss or uncertainty: contact a consumer advice center or a lawyer.