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Resignation

Resignation

Resignation

(OP)
I had a bad experince in my previous job. I gave my resignation letter to the boss. 1 week before quit date.
I though this will give them enough time to wrap up the projects and other stuff.
BAD IDEA.....

They started being nasty.. at the end of the day they threted me like a criminal, checking the isntrument if they still there.. that was pretty offensive for me. I didn't go back the next day .

Now, boss in the new job which I am thinking about quitting too, has asked me to give him a 2 weeks notice if I decided to leave( 2 years ago)

why? I know in one day he can transfer the responisibilities. He is a kind of guy who just loooks at his  side. It is very obvious for me 99% he will say don't come back if i give him my resignation letter today.

I will lose a 2 weeks pay. on the other side I need him to sign my professional documents to be registered.
Well, what do you think I should do?
any feedback is aapreciated.

RE: Resignation

Don't bit that hand that feeds you!  Until you get what you need for the PE

Heckler
Sr. Mechanical Engineer
SWx 2007 SP 3.0 & Pro/E 2001
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(In reference to David Beckham) "He can't kick with his left foot, he can't tackle, he can't head the ball and he doesn't score many goals. Apart from that, he's all right."  -- George Best

RE: Resignation

Normally, your supervisor, if a PE, would be one of your references, but that doesn't alway have to be the case.  Read your PE rules carefully, maybe talk to the PE board if this is an issue.

If you're not too far from getting the PE, I'd suggest now is not the time to change jobs.

RE: Resignation

Two weeks notice???  I'm on two months, but I guess that's negotiable. Two weeks is nothing - just hand in your notice and see what happens - maybe they will want you to work 2 weeks, if things are quiet, then maybe they will say 'off you go', it really depends on what is happening around you r work area.

The whole point of a notice period is that both parties have time to adjust to the change - what you want to do is just walk out, possibly for at least the 2nd time in your career.

When I am interviewing for positions, I check for things like this - anyone can have a bad experience at work, its how you deal with it that interests me - just walking out and not following agreed procedures suggests someone who is not a team player and can't cut it when things gets tough.

I would also expect references from previous employers - not leaving on sensible terms from your last two jobs doesn't suggest that you will get a glowing reports.

RE: Resignation

So what if you found your treatment offensive, you're leaving anyway.  Give them your notice, then go to work every day until they tell you to stop or your 2 weeks is up.  Sit at your desk and make sure your files are up to date,

Don't delete anything either paper of electronic.  If you go through your electronic files, instead of deleting duplicates, create a folder called "Duplicates" and move them in there.  Don't make copies of anything without explicit permission.

If no one talks to you and they monitor your Internet usage, just smile and be plesant.

David

RE: Resignation

Why can so many companies not just break up like adults? looking around

RE: Resignation

i'm doing this tommorow....but i'm giving a month instead.

i think my boss and i have a pretty good relationship, so i hope there isn't any bad blood.

RE: Resignation

Jobs & Bosses come and go all the time.  Every job stinks and is painful at some time or other.  Don't let your anger or frustration get the best of you.  

Speak mano-a-mano to your boss, tell him you two need to work together to create a transition plan for your exit, because you wish to leave the company for other opportunities.  Stay professional, the value of a clean exit and a non-negative reference is greater than the satisfaction of hurting the organization because you gathered up your marbles and went home on brief notice.  You should take the high road.  If the Boss takes the low road, then that's his problem.

TygerDawg

RE: Resignation

Two week notice is quite the standard here.  If your contribution to the company was significant, company may try to negotiate longer than two weeks.  Some companies may pay two weeks salary but ask you to pack up immediately.

Since you need his reference for your PE application one day, like others recommended, remain polite and professional.

RE: Resignation

Is yours an 'at will' employer?  If so as I understand it they can let you go the day you hand in your resignation letter without any compensation if they want.  

This has happened several times at my place, especially for some of the chief scientists/applications guys when they wont give assurances they aren't going to the opposition or if they bad mouth their boss/the company as part of their resignation but I believe they did the same with some lay-offs before Christmas.  Supposedly it's not uncommon these days, especially with the damage people can do with access to the company network.  They literally got walked straight out the door and someone else emptied their desks and brought the stuff to them at a later date or similar.

However from the employee side, 2 weeks seems pretty standard in the US, I think it was one month for my job in the UK.  Depends on your contract/letter of offer and/or any company policies etc.  

The 2 weeks is to allow them to create a transition plan etc, however in practice they can usually hand the work over that day or it takes longer than 2 weeks to find and train a replacement so the 2 weeks is pretty arbitrary.

At the end of the day they probably can't enforce the 2 weeks but are unlikely to give you glowing references and if word gets around it could damage your reputation.

RE: Resignation

Always give a minimum of 2 weeks notice, and try to allow for more, if possible.  It is a lot of added burden on your supervisor and your organization to organize a transition.  The first week is ususally wasted as they figure out what to do, and then the second week is a mad scramble to do whatever they can to facilitate a transition.

Here is a recent thread with some good tangential information.
thread731-178435: Resigning - Do I tell them why?

-Tony Staples
www.tscombustion.com

RE: Resignation


Hi Humble 2000,

I am confused, you said, "I will lose a 2 weeks pay.".

Why is that? Even if your employer asks you to leave right after you give notice, they have to pay you for the 2 weeks. This is the case in Ontario, not sure how it is in other places.

Anyways, good luck in everything.

Joseph

RE: Resignation


Wikipedia has a few good links about at-will employment here in the US.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/At-will

You don't have to stick around for the two weeks, but it is probably a good idea to retain some future relationship, should that be necessary.  Never burn the bridge if you can help it.  Bring an iPod to work and tune out.  Bring cake or some kind of food to let people know how much you have appreciated working with them.



"If you are going to walk on thin ice, you might as well dance!"

RE: Resignation

My notice period is 3 months though technically you could just walk as they're not bound to keep you as it's tantamount to slavery or something. You are liable to be sued for breach of contract though, but it's rarely done. The employer, however, can't ask you to leave though it has been known for them to offer you full pay for the whole period of notice if you leave there and then. That's in the UK of course. Even in the US I would have thought you'd be covered by a contract of employment for which both parties have legal obligations. I'd contact a lawyer if you are covered by such rights. In the UK you can sue in small claims courts. Maybe Judge Judy can help?   

corus

RE: Resignation

So being relatively new to the states (from the UK) I could be wrong but, at least here in CA.  If you're 'at will' then I believe they can 'let you go' with no notice.

My job offer made it clear it was 'at will'.  So did the contracts/job offers on the other couple of menial jobs I had while waiting for this one to come along.

As such I doubt there is much that Judges Judy, Hatcher and Maybelline combined can do about it.

In some situations you can get other arangements in your contract but then I assume you're no longer 'at will', you are instead covered by your contract.

RE: Resignation

Frankly, I wonder if this is more about you and your attitude than about any company you work for.  Based on fact that you've barely been at your current job for 2 years and your negative attitude about your boss, I'm not surprised that your company might want you out early.

TTFN

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RE: Resignation

(OP)

Thank you very much everybody for valuable feedbacks.
Yes, I think I will go ahead and give my two weeks notice.
The issue is I have seen how my boss bad mouthed the other guys who quit.
He starts saying bad things about them that they weren't good or they ruin the company reputation and ...

I understand being a professional and deal with the situation ethically, however do you really think employers are dealing with situation ethically?


By the way, " Josephv"
I get paid for the hours worked, so if I quit in two weeks and I already had given my notice, does he still have to pay me for 2 weeks???

Is yours an 'at will' employer? Yes. He can let me go anytime he wants to!!!

RE: Resignation

(OP)
One thing I forgot is that people in professional industry usually don't ask for references. why do they need references?
They know you are obligated by codes and regulations to follow and what they really care is if you can make money.

RE: Resignation

Why would they need references?  That is a silly question.  
Sure, there may be codes that you are obligated to follow, but that doesn't mean you are competent enough to follow them all correctly or with the desired efficiency.  Also, the code doesn't mandate critical, independent thinking.  Following the code is only useful once the actual problem and solution are laid out for you.  It is up to YOU, not the code, to define the problem and solution.

RE: Resignation

References help with things that canot be figured out from a resume, like the ability to get on with coworkers, accept authority, get to work on time, respect company rules etc

Consider that you might have two equally well qualified candidates applying for a single position.

The previous employer of candidate X provides a reference along the lines of 'We are really sorry to have lost X, a concientious worker and a good team player. The professionalism that X brought to the job and workplace was much appreciated by his/her coworkers and customers alike."

Compare this to the reference provide by the previous employer of candidate Y: "We can confirm that Y was employed by us in the position of Z between the dates of A and B"

Which candidate would you choose? Remember that its difficult (if not illegal) to provide negative references.





RE: Resignation

i've had prospective employers give me references.

RE: Resignation

ask for references i mean.

RE: Resignation

TPL:

I think there is a trend among companies today (at least in the United States, based on the advice of their legal department) who are defaulting to the second option regardless of how outstanding a former employee was in performing their duties.

Consequently the most that such a reference can do in the US corporate market today is verify that X actually worked for the company on the dates shown on their resume.

debodine

RE: Resignation

Good point debodine, but its a small world and a reference doesn't have to be a formal document or even a documented event. Maybe just a quick phone call to a buddy who works in the same company (or a customer of that company) to meet up for a drink or even a passing discussion at the 19th hole.

Its a given that most resumes contain an element of embellishment, I can deal with that but, I want to be sure that the person I hire will be a good fit for my company and the existing employees. I would prefer not to hire and then find out there are 'attitude' issues that have to be dealt with  - thats just going to take time that I can't afford.
  

The bottom line is, don't get a reputation for being a bad apple in the first place.

RE: Resignation

I have worked for several companies where the company has a policy of confirming employment, length of employement and title(s). They also expect all of their people to hold to that policy, regardless the circumstances that they find themselves in (in the office, at the bar, on the golf course, etc.).

In addition, with today's focus on privacy, a manager may be held to higher standards with respect to what information they reveal, and to whom they reveal it to.


From the interviewee's perspective:

Often times, people are looking for a new opportunity while they are still employed. In those cases, they will be very reluctant to tell you where they are, in case you do "a quick phone call to a buddy who works in the same company (or a customer of that company) to meet up for a drink or even a passing discussion at the 19th hole" and the word gets back to their boss. I have heard of instances where this has happened - not a pleasant situation for the interviewee.


Making the right hiring decision is tough, and reference checks is only one part of that equation. I would try to get as many different angles on a candidate and see the overall picture more so than rely on any single one. Then again, no process is perfect - that is why people get let go.

"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."   
Albert Einstein
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RE: Resignation

Hi Humble2000,

I think I spoke too soon, I did not know what your contract/status was.

You may want to contact the local government labour office or a good lawyer.

Regarding your point, "I understand being a professional and deal with the situation ethically, however do you really think employers are dealing with situation ethically?"

I think it is best to take the high ground or as Oscar Wilde said, "Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much."

Good luck!

RE: Resignation

well.....that went well.

RE: Resignation

TPL,
I think you ought to change the way you pick your candidates. Yes-men never made good engineers.
I quit at two of my last jobs (one I walked out, literally), the main reason has always been the change in leadership, the kind that comes in and wants to give an example for all by getting tough on the one that does not kiss ass. I don't because I've paid more than my dues, deliver more than anyone anywhere I've been, when a project does not have any money left, was due yesterday, and it better be done right, it always landed on my desk, always.

I guess I would not have made the cut in an interview with you, would I?

Just because someone does not get along with another person does not mean he/she is a bad engineer.

Statistics say that 80% of the time, the reason for people quitting their job is becasue the person does not like the one he/she was working for.

RE: Resignation

while i agree and relate to atlas06's opinion, i do realize that corporate america is a game.  it's always a game, and there are politics to be played.  

while i've never kissed ass, and have always been one more prone to argue and debate.....there are also ways about doing it that won't get you labeled as a bad apple.  

unless you work for yourself and by yourself, you never want to have the rep that you're someone no one can get along with.  and that doesn't mean you have to be a yes-man.  

RE: Resignation

If you were to give 2 weeks' notice and the employeer said pack up and go now (i.e., no further compensation), you'd be eligable for unemployment compensation - it would be termination brought on by the employeer.  Whether you want to persue this is another question. . . .

Just wanted to clarify an earlier point.

f-d

¡papá gordo ain’t no madre flaca!

RE: Resignation

Swivel,
Agree with evreything you said. It is a game indeed, you've got to play by the rules or you're not part of the game.
Lead, follow or get out of the way, I chose to get out of the way.

RE: Resignation

I gave a two week notice once and the company had a written policy to let you go at once.  The company also had a policy to have an exit interview.  The interviewer was on vacation and I had to go back and see him.  The timing on checks was such that my last pay check came at the end of my two weeks notice date.  Nothing came, not even my vacation due, nor the 1 day I worked giving notice or the day a week later I went back for the exit interview. I called the state and the state law was; if they terminated me on the day I resigned with notice, they had to cut me a check for money due.  The state agent said that if I had to wait for an interview, I was still employed, and they owed me my vacation.  
The company who's HQ was not in the state where I worked got some nasty letters and I got all my money including pay for the entire two weeks.  The HR guy who interviewed me was a great guy and he appollogized for the companys rude attitute and he and my boss both gave me excellent reviews.
The morale of the story is that companies have different rules that may not agree with stste law, even at will employment states have rules governing leaving companies.  If you give two weeks notice, 99% of the time companies by law must honor that unless you signed a document when you hired on that waived your rights.

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