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Ask HN: When to notify your employer you are going to leave?

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Re: Ask HN: When to notify your employer you are going to leave?

#21

Post by shyn3 »

giantg2 wrote: post #20

My state is at-will. My company does not permit references to be given. The company will not give you notice if they are terminating you. When I leave, I'm packing all my stuff and giving my notice on the day I plan to leave. If the company is not loyal to its employees, why should I be loyal to them.

Watch out about this. When you leave an organization everyone else talks about you if you do it in a funny way.

Those stories go through the grapevine and to other organizations. I had a manager say he was a great fit except he didn't give his 2 week notice at company XYZ when he left the team that my brother was not working on.

Suffice to say an awesome candidate didn't get the role.

Edit: Also remember never to give more than the legal notice period. This is mentioned in other comments as well. Also prior to giving your 2 weeks notice make sure you pack all your belongings and having nothing personal left on your desk when you go to break the news. You may be walked straight out without the chance to get your items as it will be mailed to you.

Re: Ask HN: When to notify your employer you are going to leave?

#22

Post by giantg2 »

shyn3 wrote: post #21
giantg2 wrote: post #20

My state is at-will. My company does not permit references to be given. The company will not give you notice if they are terminating you. When I leave, I'm packing all my stuff and giving my notice on the day I plan to leave. If the company is not loyal to its employees, why should I be loyal to them.

Watch out about this. When you leave an organization everyone else talks about you if you do it in a funny way. Those stories go through the grapevine and to other organizations. I had a manager say he was a great fit except he didn't give his 2 week notice at company XYZ when he left the team that my brother was not working on. Suffice to say an awesome candidate didn't get the role. Edit: Also remember never to giv…

I think my org is insulated more from others. In my 8 years, I see hardly anyone being hired from outside orgs and few people leaving for other orgs. I don't think I've heard any stories about people not being hired for how they quit. We've even had people just not show up.

Re: Ask HN: When to notify your employer you are going to leave?

#23

Post by beezle »

cableshaft wrote: post #9
beezle wrote: post #4

I would only consider this if I were retiring from a company which I had an outstanding relationship with management and fellow employees. The 1950s two weeks is a thing of the past and no longer viable or practical. A fair number of employers will not even want you to stay through the end of the day - you are no longer to be trusted. Likewise when they can employees, whether for cause or 'cost savings.' By staying,…

I'd be very careful with this. While it's true that this can happen, you could be burning a lot of bridges if you did this. I would see how other people are treated when they quit and see if they get rid of people right away or honor the two week notice before pulling this. You could make the entire department hate you on top of obviously never being able to work at that company again.

Not sure how giving a day or two notice vs 10 (two weeks) is going to matter in the big picture for anyone. You'll be clocking in/out 9-5 and distracted by people (hopefully) wishing you well. Anything you do will need extra review.

You can certainly put to paper in a day what your daily job responsibilities are as well as any outstandings on current projects.

As to working at the company again, the odds are probably low as you would not be leaving if things were good for you. Are they not paying you well enough? Is the job not challenging enough? Will they not move you to another area more suited to your talents/aspirations?

The only exception I could see would be leaving because of a move to accomodate a spouse but then again, would the company view you as reliable in the future?

Re: Ask HN: When to notify your employer you are going to leave?

#24

Post by duxup »

Depends on your relationship with your employer.

My current employer, I'd tell them immediately, and even that I was interviewing.... but I have a great relationship with them and it's a small organization.

If it was a place I DID NOT have a great relationship with I'd give them two weeks notice, BUT also be prepared to be walked out right then and there when I told them (this was actually policy at some places I've worked).

Re: Ask HN: When to notify your employer you are going to leave?

#25

Post by byoung2 »

cableshaft wrote: post #7
byoung2 wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Always give 2 weeks, no more, no less. If you give too much notice, there is the chance that they terminate you right away (you are not invested in the company long term, why keep you), or as soon as they find a replacement (what if that happens quickly). I have worked for companies where as soon as you put in your 2 week notice they just pay you out 2 weeks and terminate your employment that day.

While this is generally true, there are situations where departments cannot afford to lose you (yet are handcuffed by the higher-ups to the point where they can't incentivize you to stay), and if you know for sure you're in that situation (usually that's less true than you think), then maybe giving them some extra notice would be good. But you shouldn't feel like you have to, it's on the company for not being better…

Look at it from the opposite side...if the company were going to lay you off. They would give you maybe 2 weeks, or payment in lieu of notice. You might get a severance that in theory could cover a few weeks while you search for a new job. But even if you could not afford to lose this job, under no circumstances would they ever give you 3 months' notice.

Re: Ask HN: When to notify your employer you are going to leave?

#26

Post by rmk »

If you are in the United States, particularly CA, just don’t give more than 2 weeks’ notice. You aren’t required to give any notice but it’s professional courtesy to give this much notice.

Make sure that your manager is willing to give you a good reference for your future gigs. If you suspect that that will not be the case, then just use the 2 weeks notice to tie up loose ends personally and getting some downtime before your next gig. The courtesy you extend to your boss is Not entirely free - your boss is also expected to extend professional courtesy by giving you a good reference, assuming you are not leaving because of performance issues or for cause.

Re: Ask HN: When to notify your employer you are going to leave?

#27

Post by muzani »

I normally give notice as early as possible, but take note I'm in Asia (Malaysia). If they want to negotiate it, this gives them room to. I've had a 25% salary increase and substantial increase to benefits, but it was done in a dodgy/deceptive manner, so I quit anyway.

People are reciprocative. If you treat your bosses as just another thing, they'll do the same with you. I'd rather be the better person and not live with the guilt, and have to justify that they would do the same to me.

Normally, even with 3 months notice, they treat me with respect and as a full employee, and there's usually a little farewell party on the last day (which often is a Saturday). I'd offer to fully train a replacement (but they never find one) and a lot of the remaining time is spent documenting everything to make the transition easier. But again this is for smaller companies, and not in the US.

Re: Ask HN: When to notify your employer you are going to leave?

#28

Post by chrisbennet »

How did your employer treat other employees that gave their notice? I would let that guide your actions.

Did they march them out with security and cut off their network access?

Did they let them finish out their 2 weeks notice helping wrap things up followed be a going away party at the end?

Re: Ask HN: When to notify your employer you are going to leave?

#30

Post by saluki »

I would only give the typical notice, 2 weeks here.

I've given more notice to try to be a team player and it gets awkward being the 'short timer' for more than a couple weeks.

Definitely agree to get all your stuff out of the office before giving your notice, just in case.

Don't feel like you should give them more notice, even if you're friends with them, two weeks notice is what they are expecting.

On a side note I'd try to have a new job lined up even if you negotiate a start date a month or two out for some time off. Easier to find a job when you have one is the rule.

Good luck leaving and starting your new adventure.

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