Employee sends in 2 week notice, 2 weeks later their boss hasn't acknowledged it: 'So what happens now?'

Author image for JR Atkinson
JR Atkinson • Writer and Editor
May 7, 2025 10:00 AM EDT

There's a great episode of Seinfeld where George quits his job and then goes to work the next day pretending like nothing ever happened. He quit in a moment of impulse after being denied the use of the executive toilet but realizes quickly that it was a bad idea and that he actually wanted to keep his job. So he concocts the idea to just act like he didn't. It's kind of a good idea in theory, to gaslight everyone you work with to an insane degree, but of course, it doesn't ultimately work. His boss remembers and after another string of zany events, George ends up without a job. Classic George.

We don't usually expect sitcom scenarios to play out in real life, though. We expect real life to work just a little bit differently. And it usually does-- real life is usually so much more boring and predictable than Seinfeld, except in this situation. 

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  • 01

    I quit but my boss hasn't acknowledged it...

    So I put in my two weeks notice two weeks ago, went into HR to turn in my keys and badge this morning and HR let me know my supervisor hasn't submitted termination paperwork to them. So what happens now? Anyone experience this before? I sent my notice in by email because I wanted a paper trail in case something like this happened.
    via u/Emozziis
  • 02
    Cheezburger Image 10502415616
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • Though this wasn't quite as madcap as George's plot, one employer tried to do the same thing, but in reverse. After receiving their employee's two-week notice, they just didn't acknowledge it. And when two weeks came and went, they acted like nothing happened. Read on for the story. 

  • 03

    Commenters gave their thoughts on what they should do.

    . Adventurous_Tur... • 22h ago You turn in your stuff and leave...
    via u/Adventurous_Turnip89
  • 04
    Emozziis OP • 22h ago I did they just have a weird policy where if you don't put in proper notice then they can't pay you what your contracted hourly wage is they'll pay you minimum wage for the hours you've worked instead. I just don't want that to happen.
    via u/Emozziis
  • 05
    pinkpostit • 21h ago Forward the email you sent to your supervisor to HR. For next time you should be CC'ing yourself and HR on the initial email.
    via u/pinkpostit
  • 06
    Zippityzeebop • 20h ago I'm sure you meant this, but I want to add clarification. "Yourself" in this context means your personal email. You will lose access to work email at some point in this process.
    via u/Zippityzeebop
  • 07
    Hmmletmec. 22h ago Lolz. They acting like you need their permission to quit. Bless their hearts.
    via u/Hmmletmec
  • 08
    Traveling PhotoDude 21h ago . OP said school district, they might have an employment contract. Teachers and para's usually have employment contracts. I know that Utah teachers will for sure.
    via u/TravelingPhotoDude
  • 09
    MrEngineer404 • 22h ago . That sounds like a "Them Problem", not your problem. Either your boss is lazy and/or bad at their job to the point of not knowing they need to do that, or they are woefully delusional in thinking their paperwork will in anyway compel you to work for longer than you wish.
    via u/MrEngineer404
  • 10
    No one has a gn to your head, and there is no such crime as "Failing to show up to work", so there is literally nothing they can do to stop you.
    via u/MrEngineer404
  • 11
    Cheezburger Image 10502415872
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 12
    JellyDenizen • 22h ago . Slavery became illegal quite a long time ago. Your employer does not own you. Leave.
    via u/JellyDenizen
  • 13
    DrewNumberTwo 22h ago Why are you worried about what's going on at the place where you used to work?
    via u/DrewNumberTwo
  • 14
    Emozziis OP • 22h ago Because of the weird policy they have in place where if you don't put in proper notice then they can't pay you what your contracted hourly wage is they'll pay you minimum wage for the hours you've worked instead. I just don't want that to happen since I need my fulll check not the weird bs that I know they'd try to pull.
    via u/Emozziis
  • 15
    kornkid42.22h ago It's not weird, it's illegal. They can not lower your pay for hours already worked.
    via u/kornkid42
  • 16
    • Oblong AndKneeless 12h ago So say, ok, this is my two weeks notice and stop showing up for work. You get your full paycheck for the two weeks you worked and then minimum wage for the two weeks you didn't.
    via u/OblongAndKneeless
  • 17
    auditor2 21h ago Give them a dated copy of your resignation letter and confirm your last day. Also confirm that you expect your last paycheck without delay
    via u/auditor2
  • 18
    AttilaTheFun818 · 21h ago • You have quit. Your obligations to your former employer have ended. If they do not give you a final payout in accordance with state law (check the law in
    via u/AttilaTheFun818
  • 19
    your state - it may be required same day your employment ends or on next regular payday) your remedy is the state labor board. In some states penalties are very significant.
    via u/AttilaTheFun818
  • 20
    Late-Arrival-8669 · 21h ago Not your problem, tell HR good luck with this supervisor in the future.
    via u/Late-Arrival-8669
  • 21
    MsPB01 20h ago . Did you quit by email? If so, there's all the proof you need right there - tell them if you're final payment is short, they'll be reported for wage theft the same day
    via u/MsPB01
  • 22
    Complex_Damag... • 21h ago Turn in your stuff and leave, talk to an employment lawyer to get your money. Make sure you didn't sign some bulls contract that actually allows that to happen. Regardless of whether or not they acknowledged it, you gave them notice.
    via u/Complex_Damage1215
  • 23
    untranslatable · 20h ago Get it in writing from your HR that you gave your two weeks notice. Do not leave the office without that acknowledged. Your boss's paperwork is not your problem. Acknowledgment that you did follow protocol is
    via u/untranslatable
  • 24
    Dugley2352 • 20h ago Not your problem, it's theirs. If you have proof of your notice to your boss from a couple weeks ago, forward it to HR, but dont worry about your boss's screw-up. You can leave any time.
    via u/Dugley2352
  • 25
    robexib 20h ago Send a screenshot of that email, date and time included, to HR and explain that you put in your notice two weeks ago, and now you're following through. You're not responsible for your boss's incompetence or laziness.
    via u/robexib
  • 26
    rexel99 18h ago why is this my problem? Seems like another reason to quit when this boss can't even process simple paperwork. Here's your keys, bye.
    via u/rexel99
  • 27
    lookatmyneck • 21h ago You ask your supervisor to submit termination paperwork. "As per my last email, I have completed my two weeks and will not be returning. Please submit termination paperwork so I can ensure my final check is paid in full."
    via u/lookatmyneck

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boss antiwork workplace-stories toxic-workplace job bosses work coworkers working reddit story toxic-boss quitting work workplace reddit thread bad bosses Reddit quitting toxic-work-environment
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