Giving Two Weeks Notice

[badcompany]

I was having a semi-debate about this with a friend. He thinks you should always do so as a courtesy and to not burn any bridges.

My take is that it depends.

If you work for a small company and have had a good relationship with your boss, I'd say the right thing to do is give some notice, if possible.

However, if you work for a large firm, once you give notice, you'll more than likely be asked to leave before then. So, there's no point.

The other scenario is if you have had a bad relationship with your superiors. In that case, I wouldn't give notice because they don't deserve it, and you wouldn't want anything more to do with them or use them for a recommendation, anyway.

Feel free to chime in with your thoughts.

[tucker6]

there is no downside to courtesy.

[badcompany]

there is no downside to courtesy.


As I said, if you give two weeks at many firms, you'll be asked to leave immediately. In that case, your courtesy is returned with disrespect.

[Clocker]

As I said, if you give two weeks at many firms, you'll be asked to leave immediately. In that case, your courtesy is returned with disrespect.

Then you have the self-respect of having taken the high road, at no cost to yourself.

[GameTheory]

Then you have the self-respect of having taken the high road, at no cost to yourself.
Except two weeks pay.

[badcompany]

Then you have the self-respect of having taken the high road, at no cost to yourself.

The high road is overrated. ;)

[green80]

if the company was going to get rid of you, how much notice would they give you? I would give them the same.

[johnhannibalsmith]

Except two weeks pay.

Mostie! Now's your chance to extol the virtues of union membership!

[Clocker]

Except two weeks pay.

You don't get two weeks pay if you give them two weeks notice and they let you go immediately. That wasn't your choice.

[johnhannibalsmith]

You don't get two weeks pay if you give them two weeks notice and they let you go immediately. That wasn't your choice.

Sorry, I have been in a union and I have been in this position and yes, I got two weeks pay for free when they (employer) decided one day (of remaining service) was ample since submitting a two week notice isn't grounds for dismissal in and of itself.

To add to it:

I didn't ask for it. I was fine. Honestly I barely even knew I was in a union. I told them I didn't expect paid for no work and was happy to make this my last day. They were having none of it. Precedent and stuff, I suppose.

[davew]

I was having a semi-debate about this with a friend. He thinks you should always do so as a courtesy and to not burn any bridges.

My take is that it depends.

If you work for a small company and have had a good relationship with your boss, I'd say the right thing to do is give some notice, if possible.

However, if you work for a large firm, once you give notice, you'll more than likely be asked to leave before then. So, there's no point.

The other scenario is if you have had a bad relationship with your superiors. In that case, I wouldn't give notice because they don't deserve it, and you wouldn't want anything more to do with them or use them for a recommendation, anyway.

Feel free to chime in with your thoughts.

It depends a lot on how specialized your job is, and how long it will take to find an adequate replacement. I remember being interviewed for a job once by a person who had been with the company for 15 years, and was doing the interviews (in different countries), figuring it would take 6 months to a year to find someone to replace them.

[classhandicapper]

I think it's pretty standard to give 2 weeks notice at major companies and potentially even more if you are in the middle of a significant project and need to turn your work over to someone else.

[badcompany]

So, what if you had another offer and they needed you immediately? Would you risk that job, just to be "courteous" to your soon-to-be former employer?

[thaskalos]

Giving a 2-week notice is the honorable thing to do...but not all employers deserve to be treated honorably. I know some bosses that I wouldn't even say goodbye to.

[GameTheory]

You don't get two weeks pay if you give them two weeks notice and they let you go immediately. That wasn't your choice.
Which is why I said it -- that's the potential cost of taking the high road. I think it most cases you'd have a sense of it. Some jobs it is totally unnecessary to give notice, others it would be a real hardship for somebody and if you have good relationships it would be pretty strange not to give some notice and expect a good/easy transition. But if you work in a large corporation where they often make it their business to make sure everyone is easily replaceable, surely you already know (or can find out) how they treated others who gave notice -- many such moves are known well in advance, after all. (Someone is moving away for another reason, their health is bad, whatever.) Often you'd have sick time or vacation days to take anyway...

[NJ Stinks]

Which is why I said it -- that's the potential cost of taking the high road. I think it most cases you'd have a sense of it. Some jobs it is totally unnecessary to give notice, others it would be a real hardship for somebody and if you have good relationships it would be pretty strange not to give some notice and expect a good/easy transition. But if you work in a large corporation where they often make it their business to make sure everyone is easily replaceable, surely you already know (or can find out) how they treated others who gave notice -- many such moves are known well in advance, after all. (Someone is moving away for another reason, their health is bad, whatever.) Often you'd have sick time or vacation days to take anyway...

Definitely agree with you. Knowing how others were treated by your employer when they gave their notice is a tipoff for someone contemplating giving two weeks notice.

[Dave Schwartz]

First, this is a most interesting topic.


As I said, if you give two weeks at many firms, you'll be asked to leave immediately. In that case, your courtesy is returned with disrespect.


My take would be from my long-ago experience in the Nevada gaming industry.

In gaming, if you gave two weeks notice you were ALWAYS immediately fired. If you didn't, then you were USUALLY jacketed with a "no re-hire" and often the casino would tell any future employer how you left them high and dry.

It was a no-win situation for the employee.

[whodoyoulike]

So, what if you had another offer and they needed you immediately? Would you risk that job, just to be "courteous" to your soon-to-be former employer?


This is a little different situation than as you originally presented. I think most people give 2 weeks notice so the employer has time to find a replacement. And, they hopefully won't subtly harm your chances when you use them as a reference with employment history. But, since you already have a guaranteed offer, you shouldn't feel guilty about giving short or no notice. Just remember all companies will survive with or without you.

I say subtly harm your chances because I don't think a previous employer would risk a lawsuit expense. But, there are probably other ways to hurt your reference inquiry.

[_______]

I once tried to negotiate 1 month notice with a new employer when I wanted to wrap up a project for the old employer who had treated me well. The new employer told me 2 weeks was standard and if I wanted the job, I'd have to start then. He said my old boss would understand. He was right.

I never left without at least 2 weeks notice but I can envision circumstances where I would have. Just glad I never needed to.

[badcompany]

First, this is a most interesting topic.





My take would be from my long-ago experience in the Nevada gaming industry.

In gaming, if you gave two weeks notice you were ALWAYS immediately fired. If you didn't, then you were USUALLY jacketed with a "no re-hire" and often the casino would tell any future employer how you left them high and dry.

It was a no-win situation for the employee.

This is a good example of why it depends.

If you intended to leave the industry, then leave them high and dry. If not, give the two weeks but expect to leave that day.

[johnhannibalsmith]

Yeah it is like anything in life. It's probably the right default position and a nice guideline, but circumstance dictates everything.

[jballscalls]

Most place I've worked at only sent people home immediately when they gave two weeks notice when they were in a cash handling position.

I gave my last boss a month notice.

[BettinBilly]

If you are a building a brand on your name in an area of business, or have a reputation to think of, you certainly must give at least 2 weeks notice in order to preserve your reputation and brand. You don't want it getting around that you stiffed your old employer. I worked in an industry that was large, but had a grapevine gossip network you would not believe. If anyone just "Quit" without notice, we all knew and no one would hire them.

I left corporate America about 10 years ago to work for myself. Best decision I personally have ever made. Office politics are something I could not stand. I gave my old company 2 weeks and they promptly showed me the door and cut my salary off immediately. But at least I tried to leave with dignity. It got around via the "Grapevine" that I had given 2 weeks and was unfairly terminated immediately and that hurt their reputation, while elevating mine.

On the other end of the spectrum:

A friend works as a Supervisor for UPS in one of their HUBS. Their turnover is outrageous. He says some of the new hires don't make it through their first week. They just walk out never to be seen or heard from again. Some walk out during a break and don't come back to even finish the shift. I guess loading Tractor Trailers all night long for 12 bucks an hours is too much for some. ;)

Point is, it really depends on the job and the position. A CEO of Proctor and Gamble would most likely give 2 or 3 months notice as the company needs to prepare over time for the change in power. A UPS Package Handler just walks out without notice.

Then there is the normal working stiff. 2 weeks is probably the professional thing to do. If you are canned immediately when you give notice, well, at least you tried.

[newtothegame]

if the company was going to get rid of you, how much notice would they give you? I would give them the same.
I really don't see this as a fair comparison. On one hand, you're talking being fired versus leaving on good terms.

For whetever it's worth, I feel that it is appropriate to give the notice. If the company lets you go immediately, then really it's not a big deal as there was a reason you were giving the two week notice anyway.

In cash handling positions, or casino gigs (as mentioned), I can definitely see why the company would choose immediate termination. This is not to say that all people are bad, but, companies do all they can to protect themselves.
Which leads me to my last point....There are laws in regards to what companies can and can not say in regards to previous employees. I know where I am employed, if a prospective employer calls and ask about a previous employer, we can not disclose why there was a termination. We can only answer "would we rehire them".
Not too mention, in the case of employees who were let go on bad terms, they would be foolish to use that employer as a reference anyway.....
Most applications now ask "may we contact ....". It's either a yes or no answer. Just be careful about answering no.....it could tip them off without good reasoning as to why you answered "no".... :lol:

[GameTheory]

In gaming, if you gave two weeks notice you were ALWAYS immediately fired. If you didn't, then you were USUALLY jacketed with a "no re-hire" and often the casino would tell any future employer how you left them high and dry.

It was a no-win situation for the employee.Well, as long as you knew that beforehand, it would be fine. Simply give 2 weeks notice on the last day you want to work, knowing you don't have to actually work those 2 weeks.

[Boris]

So, what if you had another offer and they needed you immediately? Would you risk that job, just to be "courteous" to your soon-to-be former employer?
I wouldn't accept a job with a company that didn't let me give two weeks notice to my current employer. It is a peek at how you will be treated imo.

[Dave Schwartz]

Well, as long as you knew that beforehand, it would be fine. Simply give 2 weeks notice on the last day you want to work, knowing you don't have to actually work those 2 weeks.

... which is pretty much how it is done.

The new employer puts you on the schedule in 2-3 days, you tell the current employer, and are ready to go at your new job.

[ReplayRandall]

... which is pretty much how it is done.

The new employer puts you on the schedule in 2-3 days, you tell the current employer, and are ready to go at your new job.


That was the way things were done, if you had a clean record and a good reputation. In the '80s and '90s, I went from the Frontier, to the Stardust and then to Caesars with no down time whatsoever.......not sure if it's the same now, as everything has changed in this chaotic world......

[badcompany]

Giving a 2-week notice is the honorable thing to do...but not all employers deserve to be treated honorably. I know some bosses that I wouldn't even say goodbye to.

This pretty much summarizes the experience of most people who have spend considerable time in the workplace.

You have worked for some outstanding people and some real a-holes. :)

[whodoyoulike]

This pretty much summarizes the experience of most people who have spend considerable time in the workplace.

You have worked for some outstanding people and some real a-holes. :)

Also, remind your "friend" ;) not to bad mouth your previous employer at your (his) new job.

[Dave Schwartz]

That was the way things were done, if you had a clean record and a good reputation. In the '80s and '90s, I went from the Frontier, to the Stardust and then to Caesars with no down time whatsoever.......not sure if it's the same now, as everything has changed in this chaotic world......

For me it was 70s and '80s.

Back then strip jobs for crap dealers were hard to come by. A lot of the really good jobs had "For Sale" signs on them.

True Story
(But off topic.)
Got a job at the old MGM once because I had referred several people to a "job seller." Once he asked me if I wanted a "21" job somewhere on the strip. I said, "No thanks, but I'd love to work as a crap dealer at the MGM."

He said, "You can start tonight."

I said, "Sure I can."

"No, seriously. Just show up at the timekeeper at the MGM at 5:45 and he'll have the paperwork."

I showed up and went straight to work as "extra board."

It was BIG money. Like $500 @day, after all the payoffs. (Yes, everyone had their hand out.) And back then it was tax free!

[ReplayRandall]

Yes, the good 'ol days, Dave.....But when the corporations took full control, it all became nothing but a grind and our paradise was lost......if you know what I mean.

[badcompany]

Yes, the good 'ol days, Dave.....But when the corporations took full control, it all became nothing but a grind and our paradise was lost......if you know what I mean.

I'm guessing you've seen this movie more than once ;)

http://www.virginmedia.com/images/gambling-casino-431.jpg

[Robert Goren]

We used to debate whether we quit working if we won the lottery. One guy said the question was not whether he quit, but whether he would tell the bastards.

[thaskalos]

We used to debate whether we quit working if we won the lottery.

That must have been quite a debate. :rolleyes:

[ReplayRandall]

I'm guessing you've seen this movie more than once ;)

http://www.virginmedia.com/images/gambling-casino-431.jpg

Got a real "education" at the Tangiers...ergo, the Stardust...

[Dave Schwartz]

Yes, the good 'ol days, Dave.....But when the corporations took full control, it all became nothing but a grind and our paradise was lost......if you know what I mean.

I hear you.

I worked at Harold's Club in Reno for a couple of years in the late 70s. Sweetest job in Nevada (at the time). Graveyard was a solid $200 a night, going home after 4 hours 3-4 times a week (with full pay: $38 to $43 per shift), no heat.

It was (at the time) the only money-making casino of Howard Hughes' casino empire.

The corporation did they only thing they could do: They came to Reno and changed it to run like the other Hughes casinos. By 1981 it was a losing proposition, then sold and, eventually, the long-time Reno icon was bulldozed.


Dave

PS: I want to Quit Winners by "Pappy" Smith (http://www.amazon.com/winners-Harold-Smith-Wesley-Noble/dp/B000NWLINI) is an excellent book.