I was raised to give two weeks' notice. When I did it this past week my employer told me that I was done at that time. I understand that. What I don't understand is that he says he will predate my termination back to the time that I was interviewing. That doesn't make much sense

When asking him what I could have done different, he responded that I should have told him that I was interviewing with another company so he could have been better prepared. Again... not much sense

People's true colors really come out when you resign. Any other words of wisdom going forward?

After getting feedback like this from readers following two different articles written about not giving two-week notices, I have come to the conclusion that a new exit strategy for leaving a job is as necessary as writing a resume.  Most executive search firms and HR experts are not prepared to give you this type of advice.  They have vested interest with employers.

Two-week notices are always touted as being the right thing to do when leaving a job, but I say it is optional and not obligatory.  There will always be an option to give a two-week notice if you believe you were treated fairly in your tenure at an organization, but if you were not treated well, it is not required anymore.

How can I make that statement that goes against so many of the career counselor “experts”?  By pure observation of reality.  In one case, a major multi-national company that is experiencing turnover has had a lot of people leaving for better opportunities.  In a two-month period over ten percent (11) departed the company (100 employees in a division), here is the breakdown of eleven exits:

-                      No notice – 5

-                      Less than two weeks notice - 4

-                      Two weeks notice – 2

-                      More than two weeks - 0

This is a very telling number.  Nine out of eleven gave LESS than a two-week notice.  These were all professional level people, not low-wage people with minimal skills.

BURNING BRIDGES CAN BE A TWO-WAY STREET

There are always those that say you will “be burning your bridges if you leave without giving at least a two-week notice.”  That is a myth.  Let’s examine that statement and philosophy in the reality of today’s workplace.

Let’s take the example of Jane who was working on the job for over three years.  She never got any good recognition from her boss, she got one raise in three years and was given a lot of responsibility without ever getting any promotion or recognition for assuming the extra workload.  Jane now wants to leave her company and is worried that she will not receive a good reference in the future if she leaves the day she gives notice.  Should she give two-weeks notice?

Let’s take another example of Mark who was leaving a very bad situation and did not feel it was wise to give a two-week notice.  He had some hesitations to not give a notice but in his heart he did not believe his employer gave him any recognition while he was there and just made it miserable to come to work.

In both cases, the answer is “Leave the day you resign because you will never get a good recommendation”.  Why would someone that did not offer you any recognition in the three or five years you worked at the organization all of a sudden give you great accolades after you left?  That makes absolutely no logical sense.

Too many of you have been brainwashed into thinking that a two-week notice is mandatory.  Let’s be politically accurate instead of politically correct.  The question becomes, did your company earn getting a two-weeks notice from you?  Still not convinced?

Burning bridges doesn’t apply to companies’ actions or should it?  What about the company where the person is treated very badly but then goes to a supplier or customer of that original company?  What about the scenario where a financial company loses an employee who then goes to work for a company that recommends financial companies to large clients?

Here is another true account of what happens when you do give two-weeks notice.  This lady gave close to two weeks notice in a major firm.

Her co-worker, a vice president said:

“How stupid the CEO was to let her stay on board because she was privy to gathering confidential client information that she can take to her next client relation job.”

So much for “leaving in good graces” when your co-workers are badmouthing you anyway and if someone ever calls them up do you think you will get a fair shake from them?

But here is where the crafty employee observes that if she was smart that information would have been copied prior to her giving notice.

SHE WAS A GOOD WORKER, BUT…..

What about the case of Mary whose boss would always comment on the 5% she did not accomplish instead of the 95% she achieved on a daily basis?  Have you ever worked for a boss like this?  Everything is great but on the performance appraisal, you are a nothing.

“Oh Dan you did a great job on developing all of the project, but let’s focus on the one time you did not get your timesheet and expense report in on time.”  They always look at the minutia to find where your shortcoming is, instead of focusing on the vast majority of times you came through for them.

Do you honestly think a boss like this is ever going to give you a 100% good recommendation?  It will always be “Dan was a good worker but ……” and then fill in the blank with the one exception instead of the overall positive work that Dan did throughout his tenure with the organization.

Giving an immediate notice provides you with the immediacy that you may need in leaving a bad situation that will never rectify itself.  Staying another week or two will only provide more negative climates on the job not only for you but also for your co-workers who may be all resigned to working there for various reasons.

REVIEW OF CASE-BY-CASE EXAMPLES

It is only a job to some people and it is the most important thing in their life to others.  Everyone wants to make a smooth transition to their next job.

Much of the advice you receive is wrong and can actually damage your career as well as your attitude in future jobs. 

Writing an exit letter summarizing your concerns is a good way to avoid some misunderstandings and clarify answers to questions as to leaving as well as assessing in your mind if they “earned” that two-week notice.  Most times, after collecting your thoughts and writing the letter, you will find a resurgence of getting out of that job “immediately”. Any hesitation that was there to leave immediately may be completely erased once you remember all of the things you put up with or what you did not for a raise.

Remember, you are leaving them in a lurch by leaving so they may give you a counter offer.  Be aware.   They are only paying you the premium so they do not get stuck with work in the short-term.  Chances are, as soon as they find a replacement, you are out of there.   Too bad if the job offer you turned down is now unavailable.

For a fee, I will help any individual think out their exit strategy when it comes to leaving a job.  Please feel free to contact me at 773-370-1888.

CARLINI-ISM:    Giving a two-week notice is optional, not obligatory.