I was reading a thread on a local gun board about quitting a job. Most folks there supported the concept of giving two weeks notice even if the employer is an a-hole. It's an old tradition that I remember from 40+ years ago when I first joined the work force and it still seems to be the way most people think things should work.

But... this tradition was born in a different era. Today companies are willing to lay off workers for any reason they dream up and they certainly don't give the employees any notice. In fact it's common for employers to have security escort the workers out the door. Employers certainly don't offer any transition time to the worker. So why do we employees continue to honor this old tradition of giving two weeks notice. Are we collectively a bunch of suckers?

No, but apparently a bunch of pussies if one needs to ask others how a man should conduct himself.

silver 78,because someone else is an ass ,you should be too?Im with Steely on this one!

With all the companies I've worked for, when they do layoffs the employees are given 2 weeks pay.

I've always given 2 weeks notice or more. The old adage of don't burn bridges always applies. In fact, I resigned from my job on Tuesday and told my employer while I'd prefer to leave in 2 weeks, I'll stay on as long as necessary to help make a smooth transition. It looks like I may be there another month.

I've known several people that when they gave 2 weeks notice they got fired on the spot.


Mike

Technically illegal.

Not illegal in NC

Employment at-will here means that an employer can terminate an employee for any reason or no reason. By the same token an employee can quit for any or no reason.

Neither the employer nor the employee has to state a reason for terminating the relationship.


Mike

Personal honor.
What the other guy does is on his account.

Been a loooooong time since I worked a punch the clock job, but I left every one of them on good terms.

It is the same in Tennessee.

Archerhunter said it perfect.

have also seen employers tell folks to "leave now", when receiving a notice.

It really depends on the company and the type of work. While many appreciate the fact that you offer 2 weeks notice many, many companies don't want employees around when everyone knows they are on the way out.

If you work in sales, the company you are leaving knows darn well that you are going to try to take current clients with you to your new job. If you tell them you are leaving, they want you out the door yesterday. If they even find out you are applying for another job you are gone.

There are other examples, but many companies today are finding it a good practice to not keep employees who are not totally committed to that company. The exception is retirement. If you are simply retiring, and not moving to another job with a competing company then an advance notice is still acceptable.

You make good points, however a salesman who wants account info would already have taken it. I believe the op was commenting on the employer demanding loyalty, while not returning it to their employees. This is becomming the normal, businesses don't feel they owe anything to their employees. However, I still hold myself to my code, even if the other guy does not deserve it.

last time I was layed off, I got 6 months notice, a year's pay as severance, and the offer of a job with the company that bought us out.

Depends on whether you were hired as a "Cause" (employment at will) or "Just cause" Employee.

http://www.businessknowhow.com/manage/justcausevsfreewill.htm

Even in "right to work" States there are Wrongful termination standards.

The company I work for gives no notice. When you're done, you're done right now. If and when I decide to leave, they'll find out when I don't show up for work anymore. If they treat folks with no regard they should be treated in kind.

This. You never know when you'll be applying for another job and your prospective employer will check with previous employers.

Plus, even if your boss is an a-hole, chances are your co-workers who have to pick up your duties when you're gone are not.

I've never worked at a job that didn't give severance when an employee was laid off.

Never left without notice, but I love playing devil's advocate.

Scenario: It's a week before Thanksgiving. You have a wife and kids, with a wife that works full time. Your company sends you a letter. "We're moving out of state and you have 3 weeks to decide if you are coming. No severance if you don't go."

The above happened to friends of mine.

If you find a new employer that will hire you, but only if you join them right away, are you leaving your current company without notice?

Someone above mentioned honor. Is there not honor in looking out for one's family? Seems to me that companies sometimes set the terms on how things go. That's one of the things that's crappy about not working for yourself.

"Are we collectively a bunch of suckers?"

No, but you should always conduct yourself in a professional, respectful manner. How someone else responds is none of your business.

Two weeks minimum.

My experience with large companies is that when they lay you off they escort you off premise immediately and give you two weeks pay. If you give notice that younare going to quit in two weeks notice they mmediately escort you off premise but pay you for the reminder of the day plus two more weeks. I was never laid off but that was the companiy policy. They don't want to risk having disgruntled employeees on their property. That being said I don't see any problem quitting on the spot under certain circumstances and have done it.

Im going thru this right now, told the bos last friday that i was gone in 2 weeks, while he is extremely butt hurt he has been decent and i am only at work now as a trainer for my replacement. boss said i dont have to be on my tools or even get dirty just to make sure my replacement knows the job and how to handle the paperwork involved

Of course. But that's an entirely different question than the OP.

Exactly. Aside from negative influence on other employees, costly sabotage isn't unheard of, and is not something companies want to risk.

Paul

I haven't quit a job in over 13 years now, but when I did, I put in a two week notice and left on good terms, with open invites to come back. That being said, if I had an A-hole boss and knew I had 0 chance of getting a decent reference, I wouldn't hesitate to walk with no notice. I'd rather never burn my bridges like that though, so I just hope it never has to happen like that. I have heard of people being let go as soon as they turned in their notice. My wife's uncle worked in the computer programming industry and has seen many times where an exiting employee was immediate escorted to his desk to get his personal items and escorted off the premises.

I have seen the same happen quite frequently

With two exceptions, I've always given 2 weeks or more. One time I actually gave one year's notice. The other, I resigned at 11 am, effective at 5pm. The reason for this was, I knew the CEO would have to let me go after I presented him with a significant dilemma. If I remained as his Director of Security (it was an armed proprietary security force), I would have to report a major infraction to the state board concerning his son. He refused to allow me to, and for liability purposes, I had to both make the report and resign my position. Both of which I did, in writing.

Even in this case, my resignation letter informed him that I would be glad to assist my successor in understanding the the programs in place, the state regulations, the filling system and documentation. He took me up on it and we parted mostly amicably.

I've done different gigs over the last 40 years or so.

Worked for one company that announced big future plans and a solid financial footing on Tuesday, only to announce that same Friday they were insolvent and closing shop. Fully funded pensions were missing, severance pay required by law was unavailable, and contractual insurance premiums hadn't been paid for a year. This company processed all of their insurance claims in-house and said that non-payment of claims was just a paperwork back-log. They lied.
Pension claims for this employer are being handled by the federally funded and managed PBGC.gov.
Thank you tax-payers...

Just 2 years ago I signed on with a new job. Hourly are treated more than well. Many have left to pursue other employment, only to return when their situation or needs changed.
Have seen 2 lower management guys walked out the door on the day they gave 2 weeks notice. They were leaving to go work for a competitor. And I do believe they were both paid for those 2 weeks.

In between those 2 employers I worked the heavy construction (powerhouse) trades for 13 years. Made a ton of friends. Worked for some interesting companies. Work was sporadic and seasonal, but paid very well. When they needed you, they needed you tomorrow, and sometimes a thousand or more miles away. Hire in day became an anticipated meeting of friends. As the jobs wound down, the lay-offs came a few guys at a time. Foreman showed up, while you were on the job, with a check and a handshake. It was never announced but the never unexpected, as the work load evaporated.
Good times...

Yes, but some members are making blanket statements, questioning the integrity of folks under any circumstances. The fact is, it depends. It shouldn't be that way, but it is.

I worked armed security also, and when you gave notice, you were let go on the spot! your former coworkers or buddies marched you to your locker and then out the front gate! another time working at a Steel Mill, a forman over heard me tell some buddies I was going to buy a new snowmobile, as we left to our positions, for the shift, the foreman called me into his office, he asked me to keep quite about what he was going to tell me, as he could lose his job if it got out! he said a bunch of us were getting laid off at the end of the week and would be off for a long time if not for ever, and I was one of them with less than 2 years there. I thanked him didnt get the snowgo, as we walked passed the gate that friday evening we had a layoff slip , on our time cards. was laid off for 5-6 months.

No always,but severance pay is usually in lieu of notice.

And there it is. In todays world it seems not many know what this is.

That's called "Common Sense" another hard won concept.

The company has already informed you it's no big deal, come or don't come it's up to you.

Corporations have to give 3 months notice to the employees they are laying off. When you quit with 2 weeks notice and they escort you out the door they generally pay you for 2 weeks and let you stay at home.

my experience has been if the company does right by the employees who have left before you, you'll do right by them

At my place, it depends on the working relationship you have with the employee.

I've seen instances where they've told the employee who should have been let go immediately that he had 6 months to find another job because he was a good employee who was just in a bad situation. His lack of employment was more on the company than him.

and I've seen instances where the employee gave 2 weeks notice and the company felt they'd be better served just giving him two weeks of pay without him being at the workplace - turn in your badge and security will escort you from the building kind of thing.


I do know this - its never a good day for someone if you show up and 2 extra security guards are waiting in the lobby.

I can remember one guy we were legitimately concerned a known hothead would retaliate once he found out he was being let go. Fortunately he left without incident.

You guys that can work for companies and deal with the BS politics of such employ are much better men than me!

I gave two months notice of my retirement and they were not happy.

I gave 10 months for mine....and they were not thrilled.

I was in management all my 39 years of work post college career. I the unfortunate task to lay people off at times. I always gave two or more weeks notice.
However, there seemed to be an increase in "back injuries" between layoff notice and actual layoff. That allowed a few slugs to ride work comp while they were laid off.
Its a two way street, management and non management need to respect the system and each other.

I always give 2 weeks. Never had the company determine it was best I not stay but I've seen it happen to others. Particularly if they were going to a competitor.

I have ZERO issues with the company stating "well, we appreciate it but we'd rather have it end right now/here" it makes sense from a "what's best for the company" perspective and because I've never seen someone's new company basically say you can't come to work for us early.

You wanted out, they wanted you in - typically works out ok. Unless it's a situation where you are part of a large training class like a call center or something. But I've never worked those jobs.

Layoffs - all I've seen have had people given ample warning and even up to 90 days to find another position within the company if they so choose.

The Hospital Organization I worked for you had to signed an agreement that you could be terminated at any time without being given a reason.

I think about that a lot now. Farming is hard work I'm sure. Homesteading is a lot of work, I'm sure. But I wonder if they aren't more rewarding than corporate life.

Even if you are self employed, the customers are your boss. I've always excelled at customer service, but in my industry it's getting harder. It's just the type of people that are drawn to my industry that make it harder than in the past. I spent many years at corporate and am now in the field, so I don't "witness" the day to day BS and it's easier to take, but still.

I just wonder sometimes...

During the exit interview meeting after I had given two weeks notice of my retirement, my manager told me that I had a job with the company for however long I wanted to work there. Careful financial planning allowed me to retire two years before age 66 which was the government mandated retirement age. Retirement is the best job I've ever had. As regards two weeks notice, I have always given two weeks notice of leaving a job and the employer has allowed me to work the two weeks. I have seen instances where employers ask the employee to leave upon giving notice feeling that little productive work would get done in the two weeks and it sould have a negative impact on the morale of the remaining employees. In the case of a layoff, I have been walked out the door at the conclusion of the notification meeting. Two employers were even big enough dirtbags that termination my employment was not enough. One stopped payment on my final paycheck and the other called unemployment and told them some kind of lie that delayed my ability to collect unemployment. In neither case was I terminated for cause, just due to personality conflicts in spite of my best efforts to satisfy them.

I've heard of that too. California is an at will state with no notice being necessary and termination pay has to come within 24 hours (I think).

I have been let go after I have given my 2 weeks notice. I have also been given a months notice of being layer off, they got pissed when I went out and got another job the next week. I guess it depends on the employer and situation. Never had a severance pay. WTF are those???

I'm hoping to be in a position to give notice in the next few weeks. (The fewer the better as the situation at my workplace is becoming untenable)

I'll give 2 weeks, but knowing the disposition of the manager, I fully expect to be let go nearly immediately. If I'm wrong and they keep on for those 2 weeks, I expect the c-word of a manager to make it as miserable for me as possible, if, in fact, she can make it any worse.

I've given 2 weeks notice in the past only to be shooed out within 3-4 days and in another situation, given the cold shoulder for the full 2 weeks. The treatment is up to the owner, but I still feel it's right to offer at least 2 weeks.

This.

IME, if the employer likes you then they will keep you for the 2 weeks. If they don't, you're gone when you give notice and without income abruptly.

I've always believed it best to not burn any bridges on the way out. Sometimes what looks like greener grass, isn't. You never know if circumstances may change and you may have to come back. I would like to keep my options open.

I had no family back in those days. Just me.
But I see what you mean.

Now that I'm 15+ years self employed the thing that pisses me off most is I can't lay me off nor accept 2 weeks notice.

I'll probably leave this job on bad terms. The boss is an ass hole.

I *have* given notice. It depends on the circumstances.

Sometimes it's just best to pack up and go.

This

Nice...

Son in law got laid off last Monday...worked his a** off all the last week moving office ...spent weekend in hospital discovering the stress of the job gave him an ulcer...was at home recovering when his boss texted him to call him...to tell him he was laid off!....he did get 3 months severance pay but this was just cold and unfeeling....

The company I work for unless you are very valued employee or have been there a long time if you put in your two weeks notice 9 times out of 10 they will let you go on the spot. The only time I haven't seen this happen was when they were shorthanded or they just genuinely liked the employee. Said company will fight tooth and nail not to pay unemployment a different matter I know. But I can also say that they have never had a lay off for the entire 17 years I have worked there.

Hahaha!
I had a great job, working the third shift on my own. I got a call one morning:

Coworker: "you still here?"
Me: "yeah."
Coworker: "boss wants you to come to the engineers office"

So, I walk into the engineers office and there is Howard (the guy that called me), my boss, the director of security, and TWO security officers.... Oh schit, this don't look good at all....
I stood there looking dumbfounded for a second before Howard finally smiled broadly and said "have we got a job for you!"

They had purchased a pellet rifle and wanted me to (discretely) shoot the pigeons around the cooling towers on the roof at night.

I have given many notices and would offer the Traditional, American customary 2 weeks notice.

Having said this, I would expect schitty, uncustomary employers to boot you out immediately. Expect IT to lock you outta your computer in 20 minutes and to be escorted out with authority figures immediately.

Always plan for this.....with your next job starting right away.....particularly if you can't bankroll a couple weeks w/o pay.

It's disappointing the way American employers have severe ego problems these days.

As others have said, it is more about my personal code of conduct. I worked for a company run by one of the biggest a-holes in this city. I gave a 2 week notice when I left because I'm not the a-hole, he is.

Additionally, I would be very cautious of a prospective employer that told me they needed me to start immediately and not give notice to my current employer. If they are running their business in a way that puts them in the position of needing you NOW and cannot get by for two weeks and don't give a flip about you doing the honorable thing with your soon to be former employer...that should pretty well tell you how they will treat you also.

The company I work for is looking hard at replacing me.

I can't hardly wait as I'm all for it.


Late in the game but I've come to realize I like building micro businesses. Not running them

Yesterday was my last day at a place I have been for four years. I still have the keys to the front door and the gate in my pocket.

Never been let go on the spot, but have seen it happen to others. I always seem to be the whore they want to get as much out of until I'm gone.

No matter that the boss might be an aszhole, what makes you is your actions.

I planned for it. No issue with finances. I planned to take a week off and offer to start the new job a week early, but the schitty old job kept me on for the last two weeks.

Anybody know how two weeks became the magical amount of time?

I've never been given a notice. In fact twice the owner has met me at my truck AFTER I unloaded the survey equipment and was getting in to drive home.

OTOH I've never not given sufficient notice on my end. And as much as when I leave my current job, sooner is better than later..., I will very likely give them quite a bit of heads up. The azzholes that run it can answer to a higher being later on....

Can't be... cost of gas is down, 7 years of obama, the country is in great shape......

Sorry to hear this.

Bingo!

A lot of places require 2 weeks notice to be paid for your accrued vacation time etc. If you leave without giving notice you could risk that payment. I have witnessed employees give longer notices to their employers to help them find a replacement only to no longer earn vacation time etc during their time left at the company.

that being said, the company I work for is very good about making sure there are no suprises. They will let you know months in advance if your work is not fitting in with the rest, or meeting expectations.They will also let you know if a work slowdown is coming and there might be a lay off. To my knowledge, the two lay off victims were given a month severance, and the one person who was let go with no notice due to his impact of office morale, was given a good severance as well.

I worked for an ass once. When I gave notice, somehow my schedule got pretty busy. The second week I reminded him of some crap that he laid on me about a year prior and said he'd have the next 4 days to think about it, since I wouldn't be around.

The look was priceless.

Felt good to be a gangster.....

Absolutely give 2 weeks unless the company has a history of firing people in their last 2 weeks. This was the case years ago when I worked at Capital One. They were firing just about everybody who'd given 2 weeks, then stomping and screaming if somebody left without notice.

I gave the notice. And got threatened a couple times in my last 2 weeks, but not fired.

All my life I gave a notice. Sometimes two weeks and other times a month, depending how important my duties were to the company. Some here may remember me posting about the company where I was working last year. Payroll checks were bouncing, creditors were not getting paid, and the owner was double gouging by get money from the bank on items shipped at the time an order came in when we didn't have any material. The owner of the building was a friend. He told me the first rent check bounced. The metal supply store owner told me the first check she received was written on a closed account. Since I didn't need the job I was enjoying myself with all the soap opera foolishness. I was working in the grinding room working with industrial knives. There was an constant chance of getting cut. It was kind of an on going saga. By reading over the shoulder of the HR lady after hours I discovered the owner let the workman's compensation laps. I told her, "I won't be here tomorrow. I'm quitting." And that was that.

Now that there is some funny schit!

I have always thought that it was appropriate to give one pay-period of notice when you were going to leave a job.

As an employer, I always gave a severance package to people who I let go, unless they stole from me or misused company equipment. I didn't give notice, but I paid them whatever was due for the current pay period, plus the next two weeks of pay, plus one week of pay for each year of service, plus payment for any accrued vacation, plus I continued all company paid benefits for up to 90 days.