I agreed to start a job but found a better one. Do I have to give notice?

nine to five

Interested in more careers-related content? Check out our new weekly Work Life newsletter . Sent every Monday afternoon.

I agreed to start a job in a week but I just found out I got another job that pays better and is closer to where I live. I’d like to take the second job. Do I need to give two weeks’ notice for that first job, even though I haven’t started yet?

THE FIRST ANSWER

Jonas McKay , barrister and solicitor, HHBG Lawyers - Employment Justice , Vancouver

You should give notice to the first job.

If you signed an employment contract with the first job, give the amount of termination notice you agreed to in your employment contract. If you didn’t sign an employment contract or if your contract doesn’t say how much notice you have to give, then you sho