What does it mean to hand in your notice?

Handing in your notice refers to the formal act of informing your employer that you intend to resign from your position. This is a crucial step in the employment termination process, as it provides the employer with a timeframe to prepare for the employee's departure, whether that be finding a replacement or redistributing the workload.

When an employee hands in their notice, they often specify a last working day, usually adhering to any notice period that may be stipulated in their employment contract. This process not only demonstrates professionalism but also allows for an amicable separation from the company, which can be important for future references and maintaining professional relationships.

The other options do not accurately describe the action of handing in a notice. Receiving a job offer pertains to starting a new role rather than resigning from a current one, announcing a promotion relates to advancing within the same organization, and applying for a leave of absence refers to requesting time off rather than ending employment. Thus, the meaning of handing in your notice is appropriately captured by the choice to inform your employer of your intention to leave.