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    Jan 10, 2007

    two weeks notice

    it's an antiquated custom, or so it seems, to give advance notice that you are resigning from a job. its common courtesy to give notice, but what is the purpose? with exception to retail and restaurant industries, i can't imagine many places that really need that notice. when was the last time, during a job interview, that you were asked about that? you've been asked about prior employment to be sure, but i'd love to be a fly on the wall for the one time someone was actually asked if they gave their two weeks. "you say you quit on the spot? no notice at all? you know two weeks IS standard right? well we thank you for your time, but you're just too high a flight risk to hire." get real!!

    i just can't picture the scenario, these days, where, upon notice given, the employer would begin posting the soon to be vacant position ASAP and calling temp agencies to find cover. businesses are either hiring or they're not, from what i have seen. you've got to have the right connections or belong to the right circles to learn of those worthwhile job openings exist. even worse is the case in which you'll never know they are hiring until just after they've stopped accepting applications.

    to further confuse, when was the last time an employer gave the employee ANY notice, let alone two weeks, before terminating employment? there are, of course, reasons to terminate post haste, but those should be an understood exclusion from topic.

    > "the factory is cutting back on positions. we'll allow you to finish out the current pay period, but you should start seeking new employment."

    > "it has come to our attention from corporate that your position has been (plutoed *see prior blog*) dissolved.

    we, of course, have prepared a very reasonable severance package and thank you for all your years of service. this will take effect officially at the end of the month. please keep this information to yourself for the time being. we'll make a public statement closer to the end and allow everyone to get together to say their goodbyes."

    so i take the time here to honor one that i don't even know socially, but have great respect for all the same. he deserved better than he got.

    4 comments:

    Anonymous said...

    just because i'm on a grammar streak......it should be two week's notice.
    you are informed.

    Anonymous said...

    Whether or not I give notice is highly dependent upon how I feel about the employer. In some ways, it's almost arrogant for one to suggest that they are so irreplaceable that there is a need to let the employer know. Also, if I find a job that will pay me twice what my current one does and they want me to start tomorrow, then I am gone. Business will go on. Maybe not as usual for a while, but it will go on.

    Funnily enough, a disgruntled fellow employee and I had this very discussion last night when I was leaving work.

    just because i'm on a grammar streak......it should be two week's notice. you are informed.

    You didn't capitalize and there are only three periods in an ellipsis. Just doing my part. :)

    Anonymous said...

    I love T.G.'s response. For the offer of more money at a new job, I know I'm outta there. I was one of those arrogant ones who thought that the polite and accepted thing to do was to give the 2 weeks notice. But as recently as this past Friday, I was made aware by my employer how little they care for so-called valued personnel. My colleagues and I sat through a four hour tirade which centered on how terrible our department was and how terrible we all were. Our supervisor just sat back and let it happen. This told me that I am not valued, and I'll be dammed if I give a two week notice when I get ready to leave. And you can bet that will be soon.

    Anonymous said...

    My last job I quit without giving notice. I believe it's a liability. Say you put your two weeks in and money comes up missing from your job... who would they blame? The person on their way out. It also gives your employer the chance to treat you like crap for two weeks. I'd rather bow out. I told my fellow employees to prepare them, left notes on how to do my job and then told the supervisor I was out. It was totally clean cut... I wouldn't have it any other way...

    Good Topic!!