The two week notice and other professional "ethics"

[crazyqx83_rivals88013]

My wife recently told me about how a coworker put her two weeks in and was told just to end her shift and not come back. Other stories about downsizing to protect shareholder profits, etc.

What does the American employee actually owe the American employer anymore? There are no ethics on one side. Why are they expected on the other? The only possible explanation I have is that it is yet another construct to protect the corporate interests over the worker's interests.

 

[Get Buckets]

My wife recently told me about how a coworker put her two weeks in and was told just to end her shift and not come back. Other stories about downsizing to protect shareholder profits, etc.

What does the American employee actually owe the American employer anymore? There are no ethics on one side. Why are they expected on the other? The only possible explanation I have is that it is yet another construct to protect the corporate interests over the worker's interests.

Why haven’t you started your own company?

 

[Ineverplayedthegame]

She had been in the process of getting another job for some time. The concept of notice is to ease the transition. The reality is the employer would barely be able to begin to interview qualified candidates much less make a hire.
Could be he wanted her gone before and saw no need to continue to pay her after she quit.

 

[crazyqx83_rivals88013]

Why haven’t you started your own company?

I guess because I am 90% of the income for my family and the thought of an uncertain income stream with a 10 year old, 7 year old and one due in April is just not very appealing to me.

 

[Kaizer Sosay]

Giving two weeks notice is the right thing to do. But you should always be prepared for the employer to tell you to take a hike immediately upon receiving your notice. Unless it's written otherwise in a contract of course.

That's the way it's always been. Nothing has changed re: two week notices.

 

[Ineverplayedthegame]

Giving two weeks notice is the right thing to do. But you should always be prepared for the employer to tell you to take a hike immediately upon receiving your notice. Unless it's written otherwise in a contract of course.

That's the way it's always been. Nothing has changed re: two week notices.

Agree totally. Worst case you get 2 weeks vacation before your new job.

 

[GYERater]

Every time I have given my 2 weeks I have always wanted my employer to say don't worry about it, today is your last day. The thought of 2 weeks free with no responsibilities knowing I have a better job lined up would be the greatest gift of all time. But of course that has never happened and I stick around for my final couple weeks to transition things as smooth as possible. Did take a week off between jobs once, but that was just to move and wasn't really all that great. Just 30 years away from retirement though so my day is coming.

 

[bluelifer]

What does the American employee actually owe the American employer anymore? There are no ethics on one side. Why are they expected on the other? The only possible explanation I have is that it is yet another construct to protect the corporate interests over the worker's interests.

Run your own business for a few years and revisit this.

 

[Get Buckets]

I guess because I am 90% of the income for my family and the thought of an uncertain income stream with a 10 year old, 7 year old and one due in April is just not very appealing to me.

You constantly undervalue the risks of an employer for those very reasons you state you don’t want to start your own.

 

[BlueVelvetFog]

Why haven’t you started your own company?

Geezus

 

[crazyqx83_rivals88013]

Run your own business for a few years and revisit this.

So running your own business means you don't need to be ethical? Good to know.

 

[crazyqx83_rivals88013]

You constantly undervalue the risks of an employer for those very reasons you state you don’t want to start your own.

I didn't undervalue anything. There are risks inherent in being an employer and employee. You could argue which are higher.

 

[bluelifer]

The reality is you can go work for someone else tomorrow if you want to. For most people, that's the way it needs to be. Not everyone is cut out to run the show and have the entire weight of the enterprise (and the people who work there), resting on his shoulders.

 

[Guess Who]

To be honest when one gives 2 week notice seldom they are productive during said such plan. I've come to be a believer of them just leaving upon notice. I'm sure there is an exception to the rule at select circumstances Just my opinion

 

[magic8ball]

It seems fairly common nowadays for employers to want a 2 weeks notice but have the employee leave before the time is up.

One reason, as someone has pointed out, is the person is usually worthless for the last two weeks. My wife just experienced this at her job last month. A woman gave notice but didn't do a damn thing the remaining time except complain, take extended breaks, and go home early.

Another reason is someone leaving is a sabotage risk. I had a guy at my job give notice then went around telling others he was going to mess a lot s*** up on his last day. We walked him out as soon as we heard about it and finished an investigation.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

As an employer, gotta look out for yourself. Chances are your company isn't.

 

[Free_Salato_Blue]

So middle management are just suck asses?

 

[funKYcat75]

I thought this was going to be about Billy Madison.

 

[KingOfBBN]

Geezus

Don’t you know? Everyone has the capital to start their own business and no other important factors to consider. Lol

 

[KingOfBBN]

To be honest when one gives 2 week notice seldom they are productive during said such plan. I've come to be a believer of them just leaving upon notice. I'm sure there is an exception to the rule at select circumstances Just my opinion

Obviously depends on the job. Office/sales gig? Yeah, someone else can cover that. Small staff and scheduling issues? Could be a big problem.

About seven years ago when I was in management, I had an employee quit on me with no notice the day before I was going on vacation and had no help. Didn’t know what to do. Luckily someone from Louisville came down to help but eff, what a ****** thing to do.

But as an employee, you should never be loyal to any employer because they won’t hesitate to get rid of you as soon as it’s convenient if it can save them some money. At the same time, don’t burn bridges.

 

[Rebelfreedomeagle]

I've always tried to give as much notice as possible just as professional courtesy but have just been told to just pull my pants up and GTFO.

 

[BlueVelvetFog]

But as an employee, you should never be loyal to any employer because they won’t hesitate to get rid of you as soon as it’s convenient if it can save them some money. At the same time, don’t burn bridges.

WTF?

 

[Catman100]

The reality is you can go work for someone else tomorrow if you want to. For most people, that's the way it needs to be. Not everyone is cut out to run the show and have the entire weight of the enterprise (and the people who work there), resting on his shoulders.

This.

 

[KingOfBBN]

WTF?

Yeah, always look out for yourself so you don’t end up being tossed out in your 50s for a 25 year old so they can pay that person half the price type of thing.

Don’t walk out on someone and burn a bridge but don’t ever stay loyal to a company over your own interests.

 

[jtrue28]

Pretty sure the 2 week notice is so you can check the box for that employer, "Eligible for re-hire". Also, if you have accrued vacation leave that you want them to pay out. Don't burn bridges.

 

[BigBlueDave_rivals76951]

Don’t you know? Everyone has the capital to start their own business and no other important factors to consider. Lol

Michael Scott: If tomorrow my company goes under, I will just start another paper company, and then another and another and another. I have no shortage of company names.

David Wallace: Michael...

Michael Scott: That's one of 'em. Yes. There are our demands. This is what we want. Our balls are in your court.

 

[KingOfBBN]

Michael Scott: If tomorrow my company goes under, I will just start another paper company, and then another and another and another. I have no shortage of company names.

David Wallace: Michael...

Michael Scott: That's one of 'em. Yes. There are our demands. This is what we want. Our balls are in your court.

Easily one of my all-time favorite shows. That particular part always amused me in terms of unrealistic negotiations.

 

[ukalumni00]

Gave my two weeks notice on a Friday knowing full well that would be my last day per company policy. Most corporations do not let anyone with a 2 weeks notice stick around due to reasons given in other posts (unproductive, possible sabotage risk, etc). Started my new job that following Monday so I got paid 2 weeks (plus vacation days) from my former employer and also from my new employer. Happens all the time in my line of work.

 

[Guess Who]

Yeah, always look out for yourself so you don’t end up being tossed out in your 50s for a 25 year old so they can pay that person half the price type of thing.

Don’t walk out on someone and burn a bridge but don’t ever stay loyal to a company over your own interests.

Have experienced the out with the old in with the new to save $$$!
Yes on don’t burn a bridge that may be needed later. It’s all a fine line to navigate

 

[dgtatu01]

The OP did not state this, but at the places where I have been that someone was told to go ahead and leave, the employer paid those two weeks anyway. At Humana my last employer they only told you to leave if you were going to a competitor to do the same job you were doing for them and they always paid those people anyway.

I would like to know whether the lady in question was paid because that changes everything about the question.

Also there are a great deal of risks on both sides of the employment equation. Both sides probably underestimate the risks the other is taking. Employers make huge investments in employee training, skills attainment, wages, and benefits. Employees make large investments of time, loyalty, ingenuity, and creativity. Sometimes it’s hard to look at things from the other sides perspective.

 

[DSmith21]

You typically give two weeks notice to your employer as a courtesy so they can start looking for a replacement. If you don't want to give notice, it is likely that it will be counted against you should you want to return. At my company, people who are going to a competitor are generally asked to leave immediately. Those who are going to another industry are welcome to stay so long as the don't slack off, try to recruit others or other behavior harmful to the company. Note that just because you give two weeks notice, a company is not obligated to pay you for those two weeks if they ask you to leave immediately. However, they are obligated to pay you for earned vacation.

 

[santamaria78]

So running your own business means you don't need to be ethical? Good to know.

no just when you understand the risks of running your own business and the anxiety, people's "feelings" become less important. Suck it up get the job done winning cures a lot.

 

[santamaria78]

 

[crazyqx83_rivals88013]

no just when you understand the risks of running your own business and the anxiety, people's "feelings" become less important. Suck it up get the job done winning cures a lot.

But when you run the risk of working for others you still have to be ethical? This is my entire point. If the American business owner wants to disregard the employee's interests, why shouldnt the employee do the same to the business owner?

 

[Get Buckets]

My wife recently told me about how a coworker put her two weeks in and was told just to end her shift and not come back. Other stories about downsizing to protect shareholder profits, etc.

What does the American employee actually owe the American employer anymore? There are no ethics on one side. Why are they expected on the other? The only possible explanation I have is that it is yet another construct to protect the corporate interests over the worker's interests.

I may have missed your answer but did she get paid the two weeks she gave notice for? If not, was it a complete surprise that her employer did this?

 

[DSmith21]

But when you run the risk of working for others you still have to be ethical? This is my entire point. If the American business owner wants to disregard the employee's interests, why shouldnt the employee do the same to the business owner?

The vast majority of states operate under an "employment at will" doctrine. Under this law, either an employee or employer can terminate employment at anytime unless there is a contract (union or otherwise). Its fair to both sides. If you want to give notice, do so and it might help you if you want a reference or to be considered for rehire. If you don't, you might have burned a bridge. As for employers, those with 100 or more employees have to give employees three months notice if there is going to be a major layoff or closure under the WARN Act. Employees obviously don't have to give three months notice before leaving a large employer. So that greatly favors the employee. Notice is generally not a question of ethics but rather courtesy.

 

[santamaria78]

But when you run the risk of working for others you still have to be ethical? This is my entire point. If the American business owner wants to disregard the employee's interests, why shouldnt the employee do the same to the business owner?

you totally can if you are worth it. If you are a pain in the *** but produce, you'll probably be kept. or maybe paid more to pretend to not be a pain

 

[USMC Cat_rivals309254]

My wife recently told me about how a coworker put her two weeks in and was told just to end her shift and not come back. Other stories about downsizing to protect shareholder profits, etc.

What does the American employee actually owe the American employer anymore? There are no ethics on one side. Why are they expected on the other? The only possible explanation I have is that it is yet another construct to protect the corporate interests over the worker's interests.

This is pretty standard.

If you put in your two weeks at my company, 99% of the time they'll just tell you to leave now.

 

[BlueVelvetFog]

no just when you understand the risks of running your own business and the anxiety, people's "feelings" become less important. Suck it up get the job done winning cures a lot.

 

[santamaria78]

I have no idea haha