Giving short notice when leaving a job

March 14, 2012 7:54 AM

How can I make leaving my current job as easy on them as possible, under the circumstances?

Trying not to get ahead of myself, but I'm pretty excited right now. I had a job interview this morning which I think went pretty well. I'd say there's a decent chance I get it, and in case I do, I'd like to be prepared to know how to deal with my present job. This wouldn't be much of an issue except that the new job would start on Monday, or at the latest Tuesday so I can have a day to break the news to my current employers (I find out by end-of-the-day tomorrow). I would feel bad about leaving them in the lurch, but not bad enough to risk not getting this job.

I'm generally able to do most of my current job remotely, so I was thinking I'd offer to work some hours for them until they find a replacement for me. Is there any kind of protocol or etiquette in a situation like this? Should I not even bother offering? Should I put a limit on how many hours I'll put in? I mostly enjoy the work I currently do, and it's decent experience, so I don't think I'd be totally averse to kind of contracting for them in the future, but I also don't want to burn out. Any advice regarding contracting for them in future?

Any/all advice is appreciated, thanks guys!

posted by krakenattack to Work & Money (12 answers total)

In the US, for professional jobs, the standard protocol is 2 weeks notice (this is so standard, in fact, that the new employer should expect you to tell them you can't start for 2 weeks). Your situation sounds different, but offering to help out for a max of 2 weeks seems more than fair.
posted by mr vino at 8:00 AM on March 14, 2012

It's really sketchy that your potential future employer expects you to start one to two working days after making you an offer. Like mr vino says, this is so standard as to be expected by all involved. If your potential employer isn't operating under that, I'd be concerned about what else they are/aren't doing that might impact you down the line.

As for your current employer, expect them to be really pissed. While you legally can quit and leave at any time, giving that little notice is horribly unprofessional, and I think you need to expect some backlash (no consulting work, no references, no good will, etc.).

My two cents: You need to find a way to get your future employer to move their anticipated start date out so this works for everyone involved.
posted by NotMyselfRightNow at 8:17 AM on March 14, 2012 [4 favorites]

We just had a dishwasher/server assistant call in and say he was offered a job in his field of study and would be leaving as soon as we could find a replacement. He was working a constant schedule with us though and it was only 2-3 days a week so he'd started the new job when he called us.

The big thing here is what's already been said above me, and how easy it would be to find a replacement for you. Is there somebody in house who can pick up the hours without getting massive overtime? Can you shuffle people around in house, and possibly open up a low level position that it would be easy to hire for?
posted by theichibun at 8:24 AM on March 14, 2012

Response by poster: I realize 2 weeks notice is standard, and I'm not terribly pleased that they want the new hire to start immediately, but I don't want to do anything to endanger my prospects for this job.

The place I currently work is pretty casual and flexible, generally people give notice but (from what I remember) tend to slack off towards the end and/or not finish the two weeks. Not that this justifies being a jerk, but we're all very friendly and understanding here and even after leaving them hanging like this I think I could expect a good review/references. They could end up being pissed, but I guess that's a risk I'm willing to take.

I also don't think there's too much pressing work coming up for me here, so I think my responsibilities could fairly easily be covered by other people and by my working remotely a few hours a week.

Oh, follow-up question: I hear about the job tomorrow (Thursday) and our office is closed with everyone working remotely on Friday - I'm hoping I'll hear before everyone leaves tomorrow so I can break the news (fingers crossed) but it could turn out that I have to inform them from home on Friday. Is this something I should make a phone call about? (our main mode of communication is skype IMing) or wait until Monday when I can do it in person? I think they'd appreciate the extra time but I would feel bad being overly casual about letting them now what's going on.
posted by krakenattack at 8:49 AM on March 14, 2012

I think sooner is better than later. You can even say, sorry I can't do this in person, but here's what's going on. You'll want to negotiate a contract for the remote work you'll be doing, in writing, though. I charged my previous employer more per hour for contract work, but I was leaving under different circumstances.
posted by sm1tten at 9:09 AM on March 14, 2012

I always submit my notice via email so it's documented. So you can do that. You could do it right now.

Just say you've accepted a new position that unfortunately has to start Tuesday and you're really sorry for the short notice, but you'll be happy to work up a contractor agreement on Monday for X duration of time.

Watch the new job to make sure they haven't permanently categorized you as a sucker now. I had to deal with some fallout from bowing to pressure to not give reasonable notice myself last year.
posted by Lyn Never at 9:11 AM on March 14, 2012

The place I currently work is pretty casual and flexible, generally people give notice but (from what I remember) tend to slack off towards the end and/or not finish the two weeks.

that may be, but these folks may also be resented greatly by those asked for references later on.

As a manager, I would very much want an employee to take a new job if it was a good opportunity, but I wouldn't be ok if the employee's departure meant added work/ stress for the employees still there. Anything to mitigate that, even if not actually in the office, would be appreciated and probably good enough given your description of the work place.

Also , is there any way you can start the new gig part time?
posted by chapps at 9:20 AM on March 14, 2012

Start with a voice communication (in person is best; phone call works but isn't ideal). Have the conversation so they understand what's going on, and why. Once that's done, follow up with a brief written notice (email, no Skype IM).
posted by NotMyselfRightNow at 9:22 AM on March 14, 2012

Best answer: Nobody gets two week notice on a layoff, and the truth is that just about any company is better able to absorb an unexpected employee loss than an employee is able to absorb an unexpected job loss. Two weeks notice is reasonable, when possible. If it's not possible, I wouldn't stress over it. I would be concerned about why the new employer is in such a rush. If it's a reasonable reason - fine. It could also be indicative that it isn't a real organized place and that could impact how happy you'll be there.
posted by COD at 10:09 AM on March 14, 2012 [2 favorites]

I really think there is a way you can work with new job. If they are reasonable humans, they will understand that two days' notice is really really crappy. If they offer you something and want to hire you, use timing in your negotiation. Say you need time. If they want you, they want you. That's how I think of $$ negotiations, that is how you can think of time too. Every situation is different, but boy, I wouldn't give less than a week's notice if possible.

Like everyone else said, I'd worry that this new company is a little off if they expect you to start with two days' notice (Thursday offer-Monday start in your potential scenario.)
posted by manicure12 at 11:06 AM on March 14, 2012

Nobody gets two week notice on a layoff

Actually, it's very common to give laid off employees a severance package that includes at least two weeks of pay (if not more, when possible), in part because giving two weeks notice is so common.
posted by NotMyselfRightNow at 11:22 AM on March 14, 2012 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Turns out I didn't get it, so, moot point. Thanks all for the advice!
posted by krakenattack at 8:30 PM on March 16, 2012