Two Week Notice: To give or not to give – that is the question!

Hi readers, I am Karen Rehn, CEO of HH Staffing Services in Sarasota Florida. I have over 26 years of staffing experience and spend many hours a week consulting with our client and job seeking population. I blog daily on the hottest issues in your industries and work hard to spread my experiences with customers, college grads, job seekers, local businesses and organizations. Ask The Boss is a great outlet for our job seekers and customers to write in and ask direct questions to problems they are currently encountering. This weeks question came from a job seeker inquiring about giving a two week notice. She is actively working and seeking new opportunities. She feels when she mentions she needs to provide appropriate two week notice to her current boss, companies pursuing her stop and become uninterested. From a general perspective lets evaluate the two week notice.

Q: What are the rules on giving a two week notice?

A: Once you secure a new position, the last thing you want to do is hang around and train up your replacement at your current job. But what’s the protocol on giving a two week notice? Is it a requirement? A courtesy? A law?

Most companies that hire you will expect that you complete your time with your current organization. If they’re demanding you start yesterday, you might consider why they’re so desperate to have you, and whether you really want to work for such a company.

Why You Should Give a Two Week Notice

PROFESSIONAL COURTESY: Consider not just your boss but others you work with and how the additional workload may affect them.

REFERENCES: Having strong references is something that is irreplaceable in the work world. Staying in everyone’s good graces is not only professional but smart.

POLICY: Depending on what your HR policy is on unused vacation you might lose that time if you don’t provide sufficient notice before leaving.

When You Don’t Have To Give a Two Week Notice

YOUR BOSS LETS YOU GO: Some bosses will simply let you go once you provide your two week notice. Whether that is due to a temper tantrum or maybe just a management style don’t sweat it!

IT CREATES A CASH FLOW GAP: If you know your boss has always fired every employee who ever put in his resignation, you might take your chances and quit just a few days before you’re due at the new company to keep the cash flow steadier.

CAUSES HARASSMENT: If you feel you have been harassed or verbally abused, there’s no benefit to staying. If you’ve done your best to rectify the situation, you’re probably not too worried about getting a reference from this job anyway. Take your sanity and go. Likewise, if your current job has caused undue stress, ask yourself what the benefits to your health are, if any, in staying. Likely none.

No Easy Answer

Each situation is different when it comes to quitting and giving a two week notice. Assess what the benefits will be if you stay a few more weeks: a recommendation, no burned bridges, co-workers who won’t give you the evil eye if they run into you. Then look at what you might gain if you leave early. Decide which provides more benefit to you, and do what you feel is right.

Always be open in your communication. If you feel like you need to cut out before your two week notice, explain to your boss or HR manager why. You might find her to be sympathetic if your reason for leaving is genuine. This might help smooth over any ruffled feathers if they find your departure abrupt.

I hope this clarified some questions surrounding a two week notice. Sometimes there are no easy answers but alway behave in the most professional manner and keep your head up high! Best of luck Florida job seekers! Do you have a question? Email me at [email protected]. I would love to hear from you and discuss your hot topic next week. Send your questions to [email protected] and visit our website for our Jobseeker Resource area – Job Seeker Resources is a great tool for your quest for new employment.

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