Two weeks' notice
Question
If you give notice to quit a job, is there a certain amount of time during which I can retract it?
Answer
If your employer gives you notice they can withdraw this anytime up to the final day of your employment. But it doesn't work the other way round. Once you have given notice, and the company has accepted this, then they have no obligation to reinstate you.
The only exception to this is where you may have resigned in error, e.g. during a heated exchange with your manager. But even then you would need to withdraw that resignation within a very short time, usually the following day. If the company then refused to accept this withdrawal, you might have a case to take to the Employment Tribunal.
If you're not in this sort of situation your only real option would be to explain the situation to your employer and try to negotiate a return to work.
Updated: 15/01/2009
Question answered by CAB
