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Ask HN: How much work do you do during your notice period?

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Re: Ask HN: How much work do you do during your notice period?

#61

Post by simonblack »

onion2k wrote: post #8

I usually switch from 'work' to 'dumping everything in my head that I haven't already documented in to a doc'. I've never really been sure if anyone ever reads the doc. I guess that means I stop working. EDIT: You're on day 4 with 6 more to go, so that means you're giving 10 days notice? My current contract says I need to give 3 months. Most roles prior to that have been 4 weeks. What sort of job has such a short not…

When you're counting work days, 4 weeks is 20 days. 10 days is two weeks notice.

Some countries/states have no notice period at all. (How could you work under conditions like that? How could you plan anything? That would include tasks at work, your mortgage, your holidays, etc, etc.)

Re: Ask HN: How much work do you do during your notice period?

#62

Post by david38 »

wombatpm wrote: post #46
sp332 wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That just sounds impractical. You interview somewhere and get hired, but you can't start for three months? And you just don't do any real work for your old employer either for an entire quarter?

It is. I had one of those three month notice contracts. Negotiated my start, gave my notice, and the company chose to part ways immediately - but did not pay out the three months. If I am ever in that situation again, I'll give two weeks and they can sue me to make me stay.

If your contract required three months notice, it also required the same notice on their part, no? Otherwise why would you sign it such a contract?

Re: Ask HN: How much work do you do during your notice period?

#63

Post by david38 »

ruh-roh wrote: post #52
hemloc_io wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Haha I'm in the USA. Labor protections don't really exist but neither do obligations, I couldn't imagine giving 4 weeks+ notice unless it's around the holidays or something.

Early in my career I just did the standard '2 weeks' thing, but as I progressed I extended to 4 (and in one case I gave 6). In my mind, I thought it was respectful to the company, helped soften the blow on finding a replacement, gave loads of time to recruit/promote and transfer knowledge, etc. But after reflection, that was a mistake. 4-6 weeks is an eternity in product & engineering time. Too much time to sit aroun…

If someone is leaving on good terms, you can always have a contract where you can contact them later for some set contractor rate.

Re: Ask HN: How much work do you do during your notice period?

#64

Post by cheradenine_uk »

onion2k wrote: post #55
Sohcahtoa82 wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> 3 months That's ridiculous. What if you gave 3 months, and then 1 month in said, "Nah, F this, I'm out" and just bailed?

I'd be in breach of my contract, and (in theory) my employer could sue me. 3 month notice periods are very common for senior people in the UK so employers work with it. It also benefits the employer because it means they're less likely to have an unfilled role - if I resign they have 3 months to replace me. Less notice means they have a serious problem after I leave but before the next person starts. 3 months isn't e…

I worked in a UK company where someone went "I'm leaving, and I'm not giving you the 3 months notice".

Management consulted with lawyers, who basically said yes, you can hold them to that contract, but no, it's not worth it as you'll basically have to pay them whilst they're either un-cooperative or you place them on garden leave.

He left after a month, though those bridges were quite burned!

Re: Ask HN: How much work do you do during your notice period?

#65

Post by [deleted] »

onion2k wrote: post #8

I usually switch from 'work' to 'dumping everything in my head that I haven't already documented in to a doc'. I've never really been sure if anyone ever reads the doc. I guess that means I stop working. EDIT: You're on day 4 with 6 more to go, so that means you're giving 10 days notice? My current contract says I need to give 3 months. Most roles prior to that have been 4 weeks. What sort of job has such a short not…

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: How much work do you do during your notice period?

#66

Post by [deleted] »

simonblack wrote: post #61
onion2k wrote: post #8

I usually switch from 'work' to 'dumping everything in my head that I haven't already documented in to a doc'. I've never really been sure if anyone ever reads the doc. I guess that means I stop working. EDIT: You're on day 4 with 6 more to go, so that means you're giving 10 days notice? My current contract says I need to give 3 months. Most roles prior to that have been 4 weeks. What sort of job has such a short not…

When you're counting work days, 4 weeks is 20 days. 10 days is two weeks notice. Some countries/states have no notice period at all. (How could you work under conditions like that? How could you plan anything? That would include tasks at work, your mortgage, your holidays, etc, etc.)

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: How much work do you do during your notice period?

#68

Post by giantg2 »

nickff wrote: post #31
jedberg wrote: post #21

I usually work harder during that period than any time before, sprinting to finish every project I started while documenting everything and training my peers. At one job I pulled an all-nighter on my second to last day finishing up a project. This industry is small and I want to leave a good last impression.

> "This industry is small and I want to leave a good last impression." This leaves a great impression on your manager(s) and co-workers, the latter of which is often more important (thought people neglect it).

I actually tend to respect my coworkers more than my managers. I thinks that's because the majority of my managers stay for only a short time (4 in the past 2 years) and sometimes are clearly manipulative or DGAF about the employees.

I've amassed a high reputation at my organization. Except for the last 2 years on my current team. It hasn't helped me. There have been some opportunities for backroom deals/promotions, but I feel those are unethical.

Edit: why downvote?

Re: Ask HN: How much work do you do during your notice period?

#70

Post by muzani »

Probably harder than usual. It's not for the company, reputation, or even friends. It's for me.

Working days are often filled up with some long term crap like meetings and training. Notice period is a good time to actually deal with the issues that matter. Cleaning out and flagging legacy code, documenting stuff, mentoring people, actually having lunch with colleagues. Sometimes there's that client they really want to land. Maybe let's focus on that instead of Q3 planning.

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