My last day at this job is tomorrow
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What's in your contract? If both sides have a fortnights get out clause then you should be okay - you can always sue for breach of contract if they terminate without honouring the commitment.
These are full-time positions
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These are full-time positions
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Question: At this job all worked out well, but at my last job, I gave my two weeks notice, and they told me to get out that day. This really screwed me up, because I wasn't starting my next job for two weeks. I was out that salary. How does one protect one's self yet also do the right thing with the notice?
In truth? You don't. You protect yourself by saving such that you assume this is what will happen.
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Question: At this job all worked out well, but at my last job, I gave my two weeks notice, and they told me to get out that day. This really screwed me up, because I wasn't starting my next job for two weeks. I was out that salary. How does one protect one's self yet also do the right thing with the notice?
Technically, in the US most states say that if you leave a job involuntarily you are entitled to unemployment benefits, even if you have another job lined up. So if you do get fired, the first thing you should do is file for unemployment until you actually start work at the new place. Also, if you do get fired, call the new place up and say "hey, I'm available early", a lot of places will take the opportunity to get you on board quicker. Most companies don't hire because they need people in a month or two, they need people now and its painful until those people get on board.
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These are full-time positions
You should still have a contract of employment.
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You should still have a contract of employment.
Ok. Let me start over. This isn't about contracts. It's customary to give two weeks notice at your place of employment. Further, a company will deem you as 'rehirable' if you give two weeks. The reason this is important is future companies may call asking if I am 'rehirable', which can influence another company's hiring decision. I work in a state where companies may fire you for any reason (accept illegal reasons like race, etc.), and I may quit for any reason.
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Question: At this job all worked out well, but at my last job, I gave my two weeks notice, and they told me to get out that day. This really screwed me up, because I wasn't starting my next job for two weeks. I was out that salary. How does one protect one's self yet also do the right thing with the notice?
A lot of companies do that with important positions: when you hand in your notice, that is the last time you will be on the premises, if only to reduce the damage you could do to the company from that time on. Think about a sales droid: when he hands in his notice he becomes a liability to the company and can't meet customers as their representative. With development it's less common (certainly in the UK) partly because most companies don't feel that development is (1) important, or (2) a role from which you could do any damage. We both know that that's horse apples: but then the people who make these decisions aren't technical. However, in the UK there is a minimum notice period with nearly all full-time jobs (and it's often related to the frequency of pay: monthly wage equals 4 weeks notice) and it applies to both sides. They can't bin you without paying you up to the end of the notice period except for gross offences (which should be listed in your employment contract), any more than you can leave tomorrow without them getting upset and doing whatever they can to get back at you - probably via any wages you would be owed. Yes - contact the new company and say "they have released me early: I can start Monday if thats good for you" but it's worth reminding the old company of their side of the bargain and see if you can get some money out of them up to at least the end of the notice period as well. I know one friend of mine who had a 8 weeks notice in his contract, but was let go when he handed in his notice on the Friday. Monday, he started the new job, collected dual wages for two months and used the company car from the old company until the new company car arrived! :laugh:
Never underestimate the power of stupid things in large numbers --- Serious Sam
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What's in your contract? If both sides have a fortnights get out clause then you should be okay - you can always sue for breach of contract if they terminate without honouring the commitment.
What a quaint notion - an employment contract? I've never seen such a thing in my life...
Will Rogers never met me.
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What a quaint notion - an employment contract? I've never seen such a thing in my life...
Will Rogers never met me.
If you lived in a civilised country ;P
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Question: At this job all worked out well, but at my last job, I gave my two weeks notice, and they told me to get out that day. This really screwed me up, because I wasn't starting my next job for two weeks. I was out that salary. How does one protect one's self yet also do the right thing with the notice?
I wonder what the other people who work there think? If I worked there and I was going to leave, I would give them ZERO weeks notice. And tell them why as I walked out the door.
Steve Wellens
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Question: At this job all worked out well, but at my last job, I gave my two weeks notice, and they told me to get out that day. This really screwed me up, because I wasn't starting my next job for two weeks. I was out that salary. How does one protect one's self yet also do the right thing with the notice?
Wow - I've never had that happen. I generally have moved to jobs that would take me tomorrow if they could, that's about the only useful 'out' I can see.
Christian Graus My new article series is all about SQL !!!
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I wonder what the other people who work there think? If I worked there and I was going to leave, I would give them ZERO weeks notice. And tell them why as I walked out the door.
Steve Wellens
That strategy would give you good satisfaction, but word spreads quickly in this industry, so you might find your reputation somewhat tarnished after a while...
Quad skating his way through the world since the early 80's... Booger Mobile - My bright green 1964 Ford Falcon - check out the blog here!! | If you feel generous - make a donation to Camp Quality!!
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Question: At this job all worked out well, but at my last job, I gave my two weeks notice, and they told me to get out that day. This really screwed me up, because I wasn't starting my next job for two weeks. I was out that salary. How does one protect one's self yet also do the right thing with the notice?
Just to be clear... Excluding an actual contract, in the US, most employment is "at will". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/At-will_employment[^] Which means, excluding certain protected conditions, you can quit when you want and they can fire you when they want.
The Jiving Anchovie wrote:
How does one protect one's self yet also do the right thing with the notice?
Been quite some time since I wouldn't have appreciated the extra time off. But if you expect your company to behave badly towards you then quit just before you start your next job. Other than that giving notice is considered a courtesy. If it makes you feel better giving you severance pay if they lay you off is a courtesy on their part as well. So if they are not willing to guarantee the latter no reason to feel bad if you don't do the former.
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That strategy would give you good satisfaction, but word spreads quickly in this industry, so you might find your reputation somewhat tarnished after a while...
Quad skating his way through the world since the early 80's... Booger Mobile - My bright green 1964 Ford Falcon - check out the blog here!! | If you feel generous - make a donation to Camp Quality!!
First, I would already have a new job lined up. Second, I wouldn't be the bad guy, the company would for treating people so poorly. I can't imagine anyone having a problem with it. Third, it's seller's market if you have good tech skills.
Steve Wellens
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A lot of companies do that with important positions: when you hand in your notice, that is the last time you will be on the premises, if only to reduce the damage you could do to the company from that time on. Think about a sales droid: when he hands in his notice he becomes a liability to the company and can't meet customers as their representative. With development it's less common (certainly in the UK) partly because most companies don't feel that development is (1) important, or (2) a role from which you could do any damage. We both know that that's horse apples: but then the people who make these decisions aren't technical. However, in the UK there is a minimum notice period with nearly all full-time jobs (and it's often related to the frequency of pay: monthly wage equals 4 weeks notice) and it applies to both sides. They can't bin you without paying you up to the end of the notice period except for gross offences (which should be listed in your employment contract), any more than you can leave tomorrow without them getting upset and doing whatever they can to get back at you - probably via any wages you would be owed. Yes - contact the new company and say "they have released me early: I can start Monday if thats good for you" but it's worth reminding the old company of their side of the bargain and see if you can get some money out of them up to at least the end of the notice period as well. I know one friend of mine who had a 8 weeks notice in his contract, but was let go when he handed in his notice on the Friday. Monday, he started the new job, collected dual wages for two months and used the company car from the old company until the new company car arrived! :laugh:
Never underestimate the power of stupid things in large numbers --- Serious Sam
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Question: At this job all worked out well, but at my last job, I gave my two weeks notice, and they told me to get out that day. This really screwed me up, because I wasn't starting my next job for two weeks. I was out that salary. How does one protect one's self yet also do the right thing with the notice?
Sounds like a lousy job. So often there is antagonism and emnity. But when I lost a job with an engineering company due to the downturn in 2009, they paid me five months salary and still sent me home the same day. It was in Weymouth. I spent the next few months in seaside pubs eating lunches, drinking bitter and doing telephone interviews. Thing is, they were contracted to give me 3 months anyway, plus redundancy, plus they awarded a 'cooperation bonus' when I didn't complain. If you have no contract stating two weeks notice, then put it down to experience. And ask up-front next time.
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OriginalGriff wrote:
when he hands in his notice he becomes a liability
But isn't he always? If he hasn't handed in his notice yet, all you know is that he hasn't handed in his notice just yet, but he might do so at any moment.
You could think of it that way! But in practice it's different: when someone has handed in his notice he shows he has no further interest in the future of the company: his thoughts are focus on the new companies success instead. So all his future actions are suspect as there is no leverage the company can apply even if he comes in wearing just swimming trunks and perches on the MD's desk all day blowing kisses! :laugh:
Never underestimate the power of stupid things in large numbers --- Serious Sam
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You could think of it that way! But in practice it's different: when someone has handed in his notice he shows he has no further interest in the future of the company: his thoughts are focus on the new companies success instead. So all his future actions are suspect as there is no leverage the company can apply even if he comes in wearing just swimming trunks and perches on the MD's desk all day blowing kisses! :laugh:
Never underestimate the power of stupid things in large numbers --- Serious Sam
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OriginalGriff wrote:
he comes in wearing just swimming trunks and perches on the MD's desk all day blowing kisses
Please tell me that's a true story :)
No, not as far as I know. But one ex-colleague did bring a sleeping bag and curl up under his desk all day.
Never underestimate the power of stupid things in large numbers --- Serious Sam
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OriginalGriff wrote:
he comes in wearing just swimming trunks and perches on the MD's desk all day blowing kisses
Please tell me that's a true story :)
True story: One summer when it was extremely hot, one of my colleagues recevied a written note from our department head, declaring (quoted from memory, this is 20+ years ago, but the meaning is preserved): "It is marginally acceptable to come to work wearing nothing but swimming trunks and a T-shirt. It is NOT acceptable to come to work in a T-shirt so long that there can be doubts whether you are actually wearing swimming trunks or not." (My colleague didn't even wear his wristwatch that day, and he walked barefoot. He did wear swimming trunks under his T-shirt, but nothing else. It was his way to protest against the poor office ventilation - his office was at the sunny side of the building (mine was opposite, so I could wear 'normal' clothes.)
