two week notice or not?
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 18
two week notice or not?
I've been hunting around for a better job and need to ask a couple questions.
--Should a two week notice be given or not?
--If the job application asks if they can call your current employer, do you let them?
My current job is okay, but it doesn't make me happy and seeing all those cubicles depresses the heck out of me. I can't be doing this low-level work the rest of my life. I'm currently an auditor and can find little fulfillment in the work. One of my concerns of giving a two week notice is that they might try to avoid paying me earned time off.
All input is appreciated.
--------------------
Justin
--Should a two week notice be given or not?
--If the job application asks if they can call your current employer, do you let them?
My current job is okay, but it doesn't make me happy and seeing all those cubicles depresses the heck out of me. I can't be doing this low-level work the rest of my life. I'm currently an auditor and can find little fulfillment in the work. One of my concerns of giving a two week notice is that they might try to avoid paying me earned time off.
All input is appreciated.
--------------------
Justin
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 942
Likes: 0
From: South Texas
NO and NO, in that order
Reasons:
Many employers will accept your two weeks notice and escort you immediately out the door. They figure you are going to leave anyway, and do not want to risk you sabotaging something before you leave.
Letting a potential employer call before you leave is just like serving notice you are looking elsewhere, and the same thing in reason 1 applies here also.
The common courtesies of olden days no longer apply in most cases. My stance is to accord an employer the same courtesy they would give you, and that generally ain't much anymore.
The ONLY exception to the above that I could even conceive of would be highly dependant on the employer involved. If it was a small firm, and everyone is treated like family (a great deal of respect flows both ways), then I would at least have the decency to try to do the right thing and serve notice.
Just my $.02
Dialtone
Reasons:
Many employers will accept your two weeks notice and escort you immediately out the door. They figure you are going to leave anyway, and do not want to risk you sabotaging something before you leave.
Letting a potential employer call before you leave is just like serving notice you are looking elsewhere, and the same thing in reason 1 applies here also.
The common courtesies of olden days no longer apply in most cases. My stance is to accord an employer the same courtesy they would give you, and that generally ain't much anymore.
The ONLY exception to the above that I could even conceive of would be highly dependant on the employer involved. If it was a small firm, and everyone is treated like family (a great deal of respect flows both ways), then I would at least have the decency to try to do the right thing and serve notice.
Just my $.02
Dialtone
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,155
Likes: 0
From: Southern Louisiana
Originally Posted by big hoss 29
The only time giving 2 weeks notice would be a good idea is if you wanted to come back at some time in the future.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 18,787
Likes: 30
From: Melbourne, Aus
I always try to leave on good terms (pays to never burn bridges in my opinion), so I would give 2 weeks notice, but only if my new employer was happy with that.
If your new employer wants you to start straight away, well then they are the people that will be paying your wage from then on, so, listen to them.
If your new employer wants you to start straight away, well then they are the people that will be paying your wage from then on, so, listen to them.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 621
Likes: 0
From: near pittsburgh pa
Call me old school.
If I was your new employer, I would think a lot more of you and your ethics, if you gave a two week notice! If you quit on him today, you'll quit on me today!
Tell your new boss-to-be, if they let you go on notice, you can start the next day.
Being a controller, they may elect to let you go on notice, let that be their choice!
If I was hiring a new employee, I would probably pass on the guy who says he'll quit right now an start asap for me! Bad signs in many areas here. No respect, values,or commitment.
Up to you on verifying employment. New boss may be goof buddies with old boss. Companies very rarely give out any info other than, Joe Smith does work here. It's a law here. Not sure if it's state or federal.
Good Luck, Happy employment is worth much!
My two cents worth
If I was your new employer, I would think a lot more of you and your ethics, if you gave a two week notice! If you quit on him today, you'll quit on me today!
Tell your new boss-to-be, if they let you go on notice, you can start the next day.
Being a controller, they may elect to let you go on notice, let that be their choice!
If I was hiring a new employee, I would probably pass on the guy who says he'll quit right now an start asap for me! Bad signs in many areas here. No respect, values,or commitment.
Up to you on verifying employment. New boss may be goof buddies with old boss. Companies very rarely give out any info other than, Joe Smith does work here. It's a law here. Not sure if it's state or federal.
Good Luck, Happy employment is worth much!
My two cents worth
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 471
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From: eastern nc
Giving a 2 week notice will not do any harm if your new employer is cool with it. Also if leaving your current position with out notice would put them in a bind they would appreciate it. You may need their reference later, try to make it as good as possible (don't burn any bridges as said before). No to checking with current employer. If they escort you to the door and your new employer is not ready for you, you get a 2 week vacation.
Good hunting!
Good hunting!
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Oregon
All good ideas posted already so it really comes down to the individual situation.
The "like family" or "small operation" or "don't burn bridges" are all good but....
After watching dozens of co-workers be let go over the course of 10yrs with 5min notice, I realized that fair was fair. They had no obligation or loyalty to me or anyone else and that company mentality was not going to change.
They never gave those families 2wks notice to get their bills in order!
With six of us left and two positions being eliminated, I gave two weeks notice to my friends and CC'd my boss. Man was he pissed. I was supposed to do the 'courteous' thing and let him know first in private. WHY?
The only reason for any 2wk notice is to ensure that your payroll dept has enough time to get your final paycheck ready. If you can wait to get it later then just leave.
Some call that part of the "me" generation or something like that. Tough! If I don't look out for "me" then who will? My kids have to eat too ya'know?
The "like family" or "small operation" or "don't burn bridges" are all good but....
After watching dozens of co-workers be let go over the course of 10yrs with 5min notice, I realized that fair was fair. They had no obligation or loyalty to me or anyone else and that company mentality was not going to change.
They never gave those families 2wks notice to get their bills in order!
With six of us left and two positions being eliminated, I gave two weeks notice to my friends and CC'd my boss. Man was he pissed. I was supposed to do the 'courteous' thing and let him know first in private. WHY?
The only reason for any 2wk notice is to ensure that your payroll dept has enough time to get your final paycheck ready. If you can wait to get it later then just leave.
Some call that part of the "me" generation or something like that. Tough! If I don't look out for "me" then who will? My kids have to eat too ya'know?
Last edited by Dallenx; Feb 7, 2006 at 07:01 AM.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 1
From: North of Boston MA
One of my concerns of giving a two week notice is that they might try to avoid paying me earned time off.
Then they screwed her on vacation time - said her 5 weeks vacation time was prorated (it was in Feb) and she only got paid for part of it even though she was entitled to all of it as of Jan 1.
The moral? Unless you owe this company anything because they gave you your big break into the business or they were really great to you, I say screw them before they screw you.
Good luck with the job hunt.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,097
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From: Home, at last!
As an employer, I expect two weeks notice. I would think twice about hiring someone who has not given notice.
Regarding the new employer calling your present employer, all they can say is He/she worked here, they held this position and yes/no I would hire them back.
Regarding the new employer calling your present employer, all they can say is He/she worked here, they held this position and yes/no I would hire them back.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 422
From: Long Island USA
Give two weeks notice no matter who it is.
Reason? New employer will (should) respect that, and you more. I've hired a few people in my time
If someone was willing to jump ship at the drop of a hat, that person got pushed down the list of who-to-hire. I've been in companies where they do the same thing. If you don't have the integrity to give two-weeks notice, they don't want you. If the new company pushes you to jump right away, watch out, they either really need someone BAD or they don't care about your integrity.
Don't take the "screw them" line that others here have offered. Even in large cities, screwing your ex-employer can get back to your new employer ...
Reason? New employer will (should) respect that, and you more. I've hired a few people in my time
If someone was willing to jump ship at the drop of a hat, that person got pushed down the list of who-to-hire. I've been in companies where they do the same thing. If you don't have the integrity to give two-weeks notice, they don't want you. If the new company pushes you to jump right away, watch out, they either really need someone BAD or they don't care about your integrity.Don't take the "screw them" line that others here have offered. Even in large cities, screwing your ex-employer can get back to your new employer ...
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,689
Likes: 29
First, you should speak to your boss about changing positions to something more fulfilling. If that fails, then give the two weeks notice.
- its proper
-its professional
-you are not a child
-they may want you to finish up projects or re-allocate the work to employees
If they choose to escort you out, so be it, but that is THEIR decision, not yours. Plus, you stay on good terms, and you are likely following policy, and your likely to recieve what you have coming to you.
- its proper
-its professional
-you are not a child
-they may want you to finish up projects or re-allocate the work to employees
If they choose to escort you out, so be it, but that is THEIR decision, not yours. Plus, you stay on good terms, and you are likely following policy, and your likely to recieve what you have coming to you.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
About.com gives a good discussion on the customery two-weeks notice and NO it is NOT a requirement, UNLESS you have a contract (whether signed or implicit) When I left the job I absolutely despised, I still gave two-weeks notice. Luckily I was a classified employee and there was a contract (implied) that I could not be fired immediately after giving notice, but had to remained employed. However, the boss(es) took away everything I was working on and I sat there for 8 hours a day (9 w/ lunch) doing nothing. (apparently they were afraid I would sabotage something) Leaving without notice will definitely burn your bridges.
Senior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 481
Likes: 0
From: St. Petersburg, FL
Yes and Yes.
It's the right thing to do, professionally and ethically. Prepare a professional resignation letter, spelling out your terms, and obligations - yours and theirs. Read your employee handbook on their policy of paying out vacation time, sick time, etc. and cite those references in your resignation letter. Before doing do, make sure you have gathered all files and personal belongings that you wish to retain, in case you get escorted out immediately. It happens.
As far as letting your new employer contact your current employer, it's a tough situation, but not letting them usually raises some eyebrows. I usually stipulate that they can only do so after they offer me a secured position in a written employment offer. Most employers fully understand this, as a blind call to your employer could mean big trouble if you don't have a new position lined up yet.
It's the right thing to do, professionally and ethically. Prepare a professional resignation letter, spelling out your terms, and obligations - yours and theirs. Read your employee handbook on their policy of paying out vacation time, sick time, etc. and cite those references in your resignation letter. Before doing do, make sure you have gathered all files and personal belongings that you wish to retain, in case you get escorted out immediately. It happens.
As far as letting your new employer contact your current employer, it's a tough situation, but not letting them usually raises some eyebrows. I usually stipulate that they can only do so after they offer me a secured position in a written employment offer. Most employers fully understand this, as a blind call to your employer could mean big trouble if you don't have a new position lined up yet.