Why don't people get 2 weeks notice when being fired?

#1

Post by ahmad19526 » Wed, Sep 10, 2014, 2:16 PM UTC

Why don't people get 2 weeks notice when being fired from a job? I should say that I haven't experienced getting fired, but I when I've seen it happen, people are asked to pack up their stuff and go.

I have switched jobs before and I know that you're supposed to give two weeks notice before you leave an employer. But why don't companies have to give 2 weeks notice to the employee? Maybe they do and I just don't know.

I'm just curious as to why the culture (at least here in the states) is like this, not the legal justification behind why companies can do this (at will employment, etc etc).

Re: Why don't people get 2 weeks notice when being fired?

#2

Post by nostrademons » Wed, Sep 10, 2014, 2:23 PM UTC

When they're laid off without cause, the often get severance, which is the equivalent of 2 weeks notice (actually often more; severance can often last for several months, depending on what you negotiate).

When they're fired for cause, it makes sense that they don't get notice, because typically to get fired for cause in the states, you have to do something that egregiously harms either the company or its customers. Think of the McDonalds employee that masturbated onto a customer's sandwich [1], or the Google employee who was caught perving on acquaintances by reading their GMail [2]. Do you really want them to continue working at their company, where they can do all sorts of mischief, particularly once they know they're about to get fired?

When they're fired for non-performance, it usually involves a whole paper trail of PIPs, documented non-performance, etc. This is your 2 weeks notice that you're about to get fired, and it gives you a chance to shape up and avert the firing.

[1] http://www.atlnightspots.com/woman-develops-herpes-from-mayo...

[2] http://gawker.com/5637234/gcreep-google-engineer-stalked-tee...

Re: Why don't people get 2 weeks notice when being fired?

#3

Post by rgcase » Wed, Sep 10, 2014, 2:43 PM UTC

Would you want someone working for you for another two weeks after you've fired them?

Depending on the reason for firing an employee, employers often have to give severance pay which usually amounts to two weeks or more worth of pay.

Re: Why don't people get 2 weeks notice when being fired?

#4

Post by jacquesm » Wed, Sep 10, 2014, 2:53 PM UTC

They typically get paid for the 2 weeks but don't have to show up. So they do get 2 weeks notice.

Re: Why don't people get 2 weeks notice when being fired?

#5

Post by WellDressed » Wed, Sep 10, 2014, 2:55 PM UTC

Should companies give notice to people they fire? Like adult diapers, it depends. Each situation has its own idiosyncrasies. Not every new hire is going to work out. Hiring the right person is a challenging endeavor. The new hire needs to be able to do the job, work well with others, and fit in with company culture.

Some people are be toxic. Others are just not able to cut the mustard. Keeping either around is harmful to morale or is damaging to the company culture.

I believe a lot of problems stem from the hiring process itself. Sometimes hiring managers don't ask the right questions or take the company culture into account. This often leads to making bad hiring decisions.

Not all companies are bad though. I know of a company that provides generous severance packages to those they fire. They understand the trauma and upheaval it will have on the individual’s life. This company may unfortunately be an outlier.

That's my $0.02.

Re: Why don't people get 2 weeks notice when being fired?

#6

Post by Piskvorrr » Wed, Sep 10, 2014, 2:56 PM UTC

Depends on the [federal & state & local] laws applicable; similarly in other countries. The usual procedure seems to be "here's your two weeks' notice, your electronic access rights are already revoked, kindly give us the access badge, security will escort you out; we will still pay you for the two weeks (as required by law) - but for obvious reasons we don't want you touching our systems during that time."

That said, most terminations happen without such theatrics; perhaps the person was already given the notice, two weeks earlier?

Oh, and IANAL.

Re: Why don't people get 2 weeks notice when being fired?

#7

Post by duiker101 » Wed, Sep 10, 2014, 2:57 PM UTC

Because then this happens:

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=7639180

pastebin of the article: http://pastebin.com/uUGfWnjf