Foo - 2 week notice necessary?

Seriously I know its customary and all but is it really necessary?

I don't think so...Especially how much I HATE this job and the people I work with. I'm sure I can still use it as a reference because they'll be talking to HR not this specific boss, but I'm sure the boss would still put in a good word.

BUT, is it really necessary to give a 2 week notice or can I give a much shorter notice, 1 week or less. They can replace me pretty easily, no issue there.

Whatcha guys think?

PS: The last two jobs I've had(corporate BS ones), I've given 2 week notices and stuck it out.

I always like to give a two week notice "just in case". You never know when a new job might not work out and you have to go back to the old one temporarily.

give 2 weeks if you ever plan to use them as a reference.

Is there a deep fryer in the room or mud on your boots? If not, two weeks notice is probably best.

Write them a letter telling them you quit two weeks ago.. effective today.

Are you ever going to want to use this job as a reference for a future job? If so, do the two weeks. Unless your in good enough with your managers, and they understand, and agree, with you not putting in two weeks.

Sometimes it backfires on you. I had a good job a while back,and was well thought of by the folks I worked with and for. I was offered an outside opportunity that I would have been foolish to pass up.

The company I worked for released me immediately when I gave them the 2 week notice. Of course, technology companies can be funny like that.

Actually, it worked out ok - the 2 week impromptu vacation was nice. Just be aware that they may cashier you on the spot when you give them the news.

If I like the old place, I always give 2 weeks notice as a courtesy, and tell the new place I needed to give 4 weeks notice. :D

Sometimes it backfires on you. I had a good job a while back,and was well thought of by the folks I worked with and for. I was offered an outside opportunity that I would have been foolish to pass up.

The company I worked for released me immediately when I gave them the 2 week notice. Of course, technology companies can be funny like that.


Sales sometimes works like this too. Especially with large corporate accounts

It would be unprofessional not to give 2 weeks.

They are not obligated to keep you the full 2 weeks, but if you ever plan to use them as a reference, you had best offer.

Sales sometimes works like this too. Especially with large corporate accounts

Financial services companies too. After giving 2 weeks notice I was told it wouldn't be necessary to come into the office during that period of time. Most brokerage companies are pretty uptight about you leaving and taking clients with you to the competition. It was all pretty amicable though after I told managment that I was leaving the industry to pursue other interests.

The company I worked for released me immediately when I gave them the 2 week notice. Of course, technology companies can be funny like that.


Its that way if you are going to a company that is perceived to be a competitor. Gives you less chance to steal IP/sensitive info. Likewise for a job that involves contacts and sensitive company info like sales, financial services etc..

Thanks for the advice guys!!

I will try and give 2 weeks then!!!

The good thing about giving two weeks is if they ask you to leave there and then most companies will pay you the two weeks.

With todays laws in place if a past employer ever bad mouthed you, they instantly lose a law suit. Most companies simply verify time of employment and salary, anything else they risk a call from the lawyer. Even good reviews are dangerous; say your current and soon to be old company swears up and down you're the greatest thing since sliced bread. You are hired at your new place in no small part because of that glowing review. Now you screw up horribly. New company sues old company, before anyone starts yelling they can't do that, of course they can - I've seen it.

It's a double standard. If it was time for you to go, they walk in with HR, you get escorted out with a box....have a great life. If you give your boss a letter and say I quit with no notice, they brand you as a traitor. I wouldn't worry about reprisals when looking for a new job, you won't be best buds with your old boss and perhaps a few other people. If your interviewer asks how you are able to leave your current job so early, just tell them you have been working on turn over docs and so forth for a while so there is little impact.....you will answer questions via personal email on off-hours.

Thanks a lot Rick. What you said makes perfect sense because I know that Countrywide did the exact same thing. Start date, position held and salary...No other information(because HR knew nothing about me anyways).

I appreciate it :)

Best to give 2 weeks notice, even if it's a crummy job. Try to always take the high road, and it's good practice not to burn bridges in life, you never know...

I used to think 'Two Weeks' but not anymore.
Its a different and very transient work environment, currently.
The same rules dont apply either for the employer or employee.
If you know for sure you arent going to ever have anything to do
with them just roll out , whenever. Dont put it on your resume though.
I gave 2 weeks to crappy jobs before and regretted it. No one
cares, they still think you're a jerk for leaving but you are wasting your
time and commute money when something better is waiting. Life's
too short for stupid work. Cut it short and dont worry about it.

Hell, I don't even give notice, I just quit and never come back.

If you want to be a professional, act like a professional.

Dosen't that brush paint both ways tho'? Lots of companies will just terminate you on a friday and say don't bother coming in on monday.

If you want to be a professional, act like a professional.

If you want to quit your job, just quit it.

Dosen't that brush paint both ways tho'? Lots of companies will just terminate you on a friday and say don't bother coming in on monday.

see thats how I feel. When they tell you not to come in they don't give you a heads up notice...Why the double standard?

see thats how I feel. When they tell you not to come in they don't give you a heads up notice...Why the double standard?

Because they are on the topside in a power relationship.......simple ;)

Because they are on the topside in a power relationship.......simple ;)

at will employee?

Because they are on the topside in a power relationship.......simple ;)

Not when you don't need the job anymore than they need an employee.

Give 4 weeks notice. It will be the easiest 4 weeks ever. Take 2 hour lunches, hell, 3 hour lunches. Come in late, leave early, socialize the entire time there.

If they say your services are no longer needed, ask if they are paying you through the 4 week notice period. If they say no, ask if you are being terminated. They will retreat. They will either pay you the 4 weeks and cut you loose right there or have you come in for the 4 weeks. In any case, it will be a cakewalk.

If you have a new job lined up, tell them you are in the middle of a project at the old job and you hate to leave them in a bad situation so you will need 4 weeks to get everything turned over properly. Your new employer will eat it up thinking you actually have integrity.

Not when you don't need the job anymore than they need an employee.

Well, they still have the topside in a power relationship. Fact of the matter is, even if you don't need the job, they still have more power than you do in the relationship, because they can grant you a raise, which you can't do yourself. Being in the topside of a power relationship is inherent when you are the company, because even if the employee doesn't need the job, his only option for action is to leave, vs the employer having the option to either let him leave or, punish (Negative sanction), or offer inducement to stay. (Positive sanction or reward).

EDIT: Power isn't only the ability to punish, it's the ability to reward as well. ;) Exercise of power isn't always a negative thing. Power is neutral, neither good or bad. Application of power and context is what labels and morally or ethically weights it.

I listened to you guys and will provide them with 2 weeks notice. It seems only customary, and better not ruin my future over 2 weeks of suffrage.

It would be unprofessional not to give 2 weeks.

They are not obligated to keep you the full 2 weeks, but if you ever plan to use them as a reference, you had best offer.

I disagree. The technology companies I have worked for simply fire people on the spot with no notice. You are asked to leave and you clean out your desk while HR is watching. This is the case even if the reason is economic.

So why would they expect an employee to give them two weeks notice? When I have resigned it is always immediate; we don't even go through the charade of the two week notice. We both know it's over right now.

I still think it would be unprofessional.

I still think it would be unprofessional.

I wonder why people go through the charade though. You know most people are DONE when they put their 2 in, its just a time waster if you think about it really...

I listened to you guys and will provide them with 2 weeks notice. It seems only customary, and better not ruin my future over 2 weeks of suffrage.

The right to vote?

maybe he works for the election board?

I disagree. The technology companies I have worked for simply fire people on the spot with no notice. You are asked to leave and you clean out your desk while HR is watching. This is the case even if the reason is economic.

So why would they expect an employee to give them two weeks notice? When I have resigned it is always immediate; we don't even go through the charade of the two week notice. We both know it's over right now.

Because it is all about risk. If you just walk out you risk loosing the company as a reference which you may need, if you don't need them, then no risk, bail. The company risks that you will steal information, damage stuff or just be nuisance if you stay so they want you out quickly. If on the the other hand they need you to finish a project or train someone then the risk of keeping you is less and they may even pay more for you to stay longer than 2 weeks.

Beware of bailing and not putting employment on your resume, when I hire two things stick out; gaps of more than 3 months in their history and multiple jobs in multiple years, unless you work as a consultant. Both are red flags.