Two weeks notice. Is it fair to the employee?

[rightwinger]

If your company terminates you. Security escorts you to your desk and watches you clear it out to make sure you are not stealing. You are then escorted out the door.

Why should an employee give two weeks notice?

Wow... Sounds like you've been through that drill!

Again... it's professional courtesy to give a notice if you are leaving for another job. There is no law that you have to. The employer can't sue you if you don't. It shows both your present and future employer that you have integrity, character and honor. I was always more than willing to wait 2 wks for a new hire to work a notice because that told me they were people of integrity who would do me right. And as I said earlier, I always gave departing employees the option to leave without working a notice. I have never fired anyone and given them two weeks notice but I have laid off people who I gave two weeks notice, or in some cases, paid them 2 wks severance.

My brother just went through it. Major Defense Contractor, 15 years on the job, 55 years old. He received notice that morning and was allowed to clean his desk of personal belongings with security watching. He was escorted to the door by lunch time. No goodbyes, no fair well lunch, no thanks for your service...They don't trust you not to steal or sabotage the office
He got severance but no respect of his integrity

Why should an employee offer more than that when they take another job?

This is normal in the private sector, especially if you have confidentiality agreements as part of the hiring package....for a job that works with Company "secrets"/ "proprietary secrets". there is always a part that covers a period after you have been let go, where the Company is required to pay you...especially if the contract states you are not allowed to go and work for a competitor for 6 months after you leave or are let go....they have to pay you with benefits for that period.

Yes, I can see how he would sort of feel humiliated or something of that sort, but I would bet 10 to one if he read the fine print of the contract, somewhere in there it states this is what the procedure to end a job has to be for such and such and yahdeedah reasons... It just would seem likely to have something like such to be written in to the contract....

Which begs the question..

Why should an employee demonstrate loyalty and respect when they voluntarily leave when the company has no obligation or intention to do the same?

They do NOT have to do that...they can give one day, and it is all legal and hunky dory...

HOWEVER, if the employee feels they have done a good job there and this employer likes them and would give them a good reference, and they do not want to burn that bridge, then they can give notice..... it is not necessary, but sort of insurance on the "good reference", and common courtesy, for a company that has been a good employer to you.

Sounds more like blackmail. Hold a reference over your head.
Yet those same companies will not show their employees the same level of respect.

 

[Care4all]

Wow... Sounds like you've been through that drill!

Again... it's professional courtesy to give a notice if you are leaving for another job. There is no law that you have to. The employer can't sue you if you don't. It shows both your present and future employer that you have integrity, character and honor. I was always more than willing to wait 2 wks for a new hire to work a notice because that told me they were people of integrity who would do me right. And as I said earlier, I always gave departing employees the option to leave without working a notice. I have never fired anyone and given them two weeks notice but I have laid off people who I gave two weeks notice, or in some cases, paid them 2 wks severance.

My brother just went through it. Major Defense Contractor, 15 years on the job, 55 years old. He received notice that morning and was allowed to clean his desk of personal belongings with security watching. He was escorted to the door by lunch time. No goodbyes, no fair well lunch, no thanks for your service...They don't trust you not to steal or sabotage the office
He got severance but no respect of his integrity

Why should an employee offer more than that when they take another job?

This is normal in the private sector, especially if you have confidentiality agreements as part of the hiring package....for a job that works with Company "secrets"/ "proprietary secrets". there is always a part that covers a period after you have been let go, where the Company is required to pay you...especially if the contract states you are not allowed to go and work for a competitor for 6 months after you leave or are let go....they have to pay you with benefits for that period.

Yes, I can see how he would sort of feel humiliated or something of that sort, but I would bet 10 to one if he read the fine print of the contract, somewhere in there it states this is what the procedure to end a job has to be for such and such and yahdeedah reasons... It just would seem likely to have something like such to be written in to the contract....

Which begs the question..

Why should an employee demonstrate loyalty and respect when they voluntarily leave when the company has no obligation or intention to do the same?

They do NOT have to do that...they can give one day, and it is all legal and hunky dory...

HOWEVER, if the employee feels they have done a good job there and this employer likes them and would give them a good reference, and they do not want to burn that bridge, then they can give notice..... it is not necessary, but sort of insurance on the "good reference", and common courtesy, for a company that has been a good employer to you.

Sounds more like blackmail. Hold a reference over your head.
Yet those same companies will not show their employees the same level of respect.

Some will, some won't. Good employer vs bad employer.... there are plenty of them, in both groups!

 

[SuperDemocrat]

All you business saavy people here is a question. Should an employee have to give two weeks notice before leaving a job? I myself think that is not fair to the employee if the better job can be started immediately. Is there still this infringement of freedom on the employee?

If it is a really shitty job that you never ever plan on going back then fuck no! No one ever really cares if you walked out of a McDonald's job when you were 18 (Obama economy you have add 10 to that). The Employer might want one and they write extensive articles about how it is a good idea but consider the source. Your next employer isn't going to care if abou gave a two week notice or not. Also, if the company treated you bad then definitely FUCK no! But if they treated you good then you may want to give them a warning.

 

[rightwinger]

In today's employment environment, why should an employee go out of their way to show loyalty to a former employer?

The old rules of an employer looking out for you and you doing the same no longer exist.

 

[Boss]

If your company terminates you. Security escorts you to your desk and watches you clear it out to make sure you are not stealing. You are then escorted out the door.

Why should an employee give two weeks notice?

Wow... Sounds like you've been through that drill!

Again... it's professional courtesy to give a notice if you are leaving for another job. There is no law that you have to. The employer can't sue you if you don't. It shows both your present and future employer that you have integrity, character and honor. I was always more than willing to wait 2 wks for a new hire to work a notice because that told me they were people of integrity who would do me right. And as I said earlier, I always gave departing employees the option to leave without working a notice. I have never fired anyone and given them two weeks notice but I have laid off people who I gave two weeks notice, or in some cases, paid them 2 wks severance.

Ha, 'professional courtesy.' Boy are those days gone. Businesses will dump your ass so quick, your head'll spin. There is no more 'courtesy.' Businesses don't care whether you and your family lives or dies. When it's time to dump you, it's happening. There is no 'two week notice' requirement.

It ain't about 'courtesy.' Those days are long gone. So Businesses shouldn't expect Employees to give them two weeks notice. To expect that, would just be disngenuous hypocrisy on their part.

Businesses don't "expect" anything. Again, it is a professional courtesy you as the employee are offering to the employer to show your appreciation for the opportunity they gave you. If you don't feel so inclined, that's fine with the employer but if you leave them high and dry and just abandon your job one day without any word... that's not good. Whenever some potential future employer calls them for a reference, don't be surprised if they give you a poor one.

You are right... there are some real dick heels out there who don't care one whit about you or your family and will just terminate you for any reason they please... no notice... no nothing.. then they want to deny you unemployment to boot. If I worked for such a bastard and knew he did folks like that, I wouldn't work a notice with him either and I also wouldn't use him as a reference.

 

[SuperDemocrat]

In today's employment environment, why should an employee go out of their way to show loyalty to a former employer?

The old rules of an employer looking out for you and you doing the same no longer exist.

Those rules probably never existed. Companies only care what you can do for them. I actually agree. Why should you show Loyalty when they are willing to fire you at any moment.

 

[SuperDemocrat]

If your company terminates you. Security escorts you to your desk and watches you clear it out to make sure you are not stealing. You are then escorted out the door.

Why should an employee give two weeks notice?

Wow... Sounds like you've been through that drill!

Again... it's professional courtesy to give a notice if you are leaving for another job. There is no law that you have to. The employer can't sue you if you don't. It shows both your present and future employer that you have integrity, character and honor. I was always more than willing to wait 2 wks for a new hire to work a notice because that told me they were people of integrity who would do me right. And as I said earlier, I always gave departing employees the option to leave without working a notice. I have never fired anyone and given them two weeks notice but I have laid off people who I gave two weeks notice, or in some cases, paid them 2 wks severance.

Ha, 'professional courtesy.' Boy are those days gone. Businesses will dump your ass so quick, your head'll spin. There is no more 'courtesy.' Businesses don't care whether you and your family lives or dies. When it's time to dump you, it's happening. There is no 'two week notice' requirement.

It ain't about 'courtesy.' Those days are long gone. So Businesses shouldn't expect Employees to give them two weeks notice. To expect that, would just be disngenuous hypocrisy on their part.

Businesses don't "expect" anything. Again, it is a professional courtesy you as the employee are offering to the employer to show your appreciation for the opportunity they gave you. If you don't feel so inclined, that's fine with the employer but if you leave them high and dry and just abandon your job one day without any word... that's not good. Whenever some potential future employer calls them for a reference, don't be surprised if they give you a poor one.

You are right... there are some real dick heels out there who don't care one whit about you or your family and will just terminate you for any reason they please... no notice... no nothing.. then they want to deny you unemployment to boot. If I worked for such a bastard and knew he did folks like that, I wouldn't work a notice with him either and I also wouldn't use him as a reference.

Employers are kind of dicky anyways. The best employment is self employment. It is really great if you can pull it off because you don't have to deal with shitty unfair bosses.

 

[Katzndogz]

I never gave any notice. There were times I got a new job at a lunch hour interview and never went back.

 

[initforme]

I never gave notice either. But I had a better job lined up and 35 years ago I had a degree employers wanted. Nowadays its a different story. There was more of a team effort back then. Today businesses don't expect good workers to stay. They know their most productive are always on the move. Most jobs today are short term. Again, its about survival and getting ahead of the rest.

 

[Muhammed]

That is true but I see that as an invasion of my freedom to walk out when needed. I guess if a better job is waiting why should a guy have to hang around for a bad employer when a better one is waiting? I surely don't owe an employer loyalty.

Burning bridges.....

That is something to consider. 10 years from now there might be a job opportunity that you want at that company. And it could turn out that the guy who had to work his dick into the dirt because you left with no notice is now doing the hiring.

 

[koshergrl]

Two week notice whenever possible. Unless you really want to fuck with ppls lives lol. I walked off a job at a jail once, said call someone I'm leaving. Fuck you all and good luck with breakfast in an hour you fucking assholes. I hope there's a riot and everybody dies in a firey inferno shitbastards.

 

[Dont Taz Me Bro]

All you business saavy people here is a question. Should an employee have to give two weeks notice before leaving a job? I myself think that is not fair to the employee if the better job can be started immediately. Is there still this infringement of freedom on the employee?

There is no rule that says you have to. It's just considered common courtesy to your employer. If you have a better opportunity and can't wait two weeks to start it then you take it. Ultimately, you need to watch out for yourself and what is best for you.

 

[initforme]

Varying opinions. Interesting.

 

[Boss]

Employers are kind of dicky anyways. The best employment is self employment. It is really great if you can pull it off because you don't have to deal with shitty unfair bosses.

Well that's why I became my own boss as a teen and never looked back. But I know there are good employers out there because I was one of them.

I seldom had a problem with employees just up and leaving with no notice. Of course, there is a whole new generation out there now... times have changed. I am a recent partner in a new bistro we opened two weeks ago and we're already having staffing problems. They want a job but want to lay out of work over all kinds of craziness. I just can't deal with employees who I can't depend on. I realize things happen, people get sick, emergencies come up, but not all the time. Now... it's like, their friends plan a trip to the beach and they want to blow off work but still keep their job. I have to schedule a staff, I can't be bothered with their personal life and what they had rather be doing instead of working. I'll give them a couple of passes then I will fire them if they can't get their act together and show up. Fair? Unfair? I don't really give a shit, it's my business and I'm the one who writes the payroll.

But the question here is about giving a notice. I don't expect a notice when someone quits. It's nice of them to offer, it shows me they have integrity and character. I will remember them for that in the future should someone ask me about that person. Doesn't mean I am going to talk shit about them if they don't. Like I said, it's more a professional courtesy than anything else and it reflects on your character.

 

[boedicca]

All you business saavy people here is a question. Should an employee have to give two weeks notice before leaving a job? I myself think that is not fair to the employee if the better job can be started immediately. Is there still this infringement of freedom on the employee?

As a business savvy person: It Depends.

As a general rule, two weeks notice is basic professional courtesy. It's also in the employee's self-interest to not burn his bridges so to speak.

There are considerations which would lengthen or shorten the notice period:

1. If I want to get rid of the person anyway because he is a lousy employee, I'd give him pay in lieu of notice if he actually wants to give two weeks' notice. I'd have him sign a release to get the money.

2. If the person is going to a competitor, he would be cut off from computer access immediately and walked out. In this case, no pay in lieu of notice as the employee's PIIA agreement has non-compete language.

3. If the person really wants to leave right away and it's clear I won't get any value from him, then I want the resignation in writing, and he can leave right away. That person won't get a good reference from me in the future, just a confirmation of dates of employment.

3. If the person is a valued employee in a critical position, I'd negotiate for a bit longer for transition time (unless I felt I could successfully make a counter offer to keep him).

 

[Desperado]

That is true but I see that as an invasion of my freedom to walk out when needed. I guess if a better job is waiting why should a guy have to hang around for a bad employer when a better one is waiting? I surely don't owe an employer loyalty.

If it is in your contract, you stick around because you agreed to it before hand and you must keep your word.
If there is no contract, then adios your a ghost, no reason to stick around.

 

[Care4all]

In today's employment environment, why should an employee go out of their way to show loyalty to a former employer?

The old rules of an employer looking out for you and you doing the same no longer exist.

I guess I haven't been in the position of not having fairly good employers in my lifetime...and every time I have left to work for someone else, it was for a huge moving up position that was not available at the company I was presently working at so there was no ill feelings on their parts, it was more like they were really happy for me....so I've only left to go elsewhere for 'life changing' positions.

I was pink slipped once along with 600 other employees globally, when a parent corp of a company I worked for declared chapter 11, and that was a rude awakening....never thought they would eliminate my area of business because it was outperforming all others, but the time that happened, no one left working at the company were even the same bosses or even the same people in human resources, it was a whole replacement staff that was brought in to do the chopping.... I got 6 months pay on a special non-compete contract and was able to collect U/E...so all in all, from middle to ending career, I was fortunate to have good employers, for the most part....

I still was dicked with pay disparity vs the men in the same jobs at all the places I worked, but it improved over time, and was definitely better for the younger women in the workforce than it was in my day and age....by the time I left.

 

[candycorn]

You wouldn't get two weeks notice of a termination. So no you shouldn't have to give notice of your leaving. If the employer is uncomfortable, they should put a contract in front of you stipulating severance procedures.

 

[Mr Natural]

In the employer/employee relationship, it is wise to remember that the employer holds all the cards. So as tempting and as momentarily satisfying it might be, there is no point in pissing him off on the way out because you never know what the future might bring.

 

[SuperDemocrat]

All you business saavy people here is a question. Should an employee have to give two weeks notice before leaving a job? I myself think that is not fair to the employee if the better job can be started immediately. Is there still this infringement of freedom on the employee?

There is no rule that says you have to. It's just considered common courtesy to your employer. If you have a better opportunity and can't wait two weeks to start it then you take it. Ultimately, you need to watch out for yourself and what is best for you.

Who would wait two weeks? The next two will be you screwing around because they can't fire you. It could be the greatest two weeks of your life.