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Two Weeks Notice or “I Quit — TODAY?’

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Some employers blame younger employees who feel their chances of being promoted are slim or they simply don’t have any attachment to the company that pays them.

But employment experts say that older workers are doing it, too: telling their bosses that not only are they quoting their jobs, but that today is their last day.

Reason: they feel overworked and unappreciated after years of pay cuts and little job security after the recession, according to The Wall Street Journal.  Adding to the trend: the Labor Department says workers between 20 and 24 change jobs every 16 months and for people between 25 and 34, they switch jobs every three years.

Some employers all but ask for their people to quit without notice by firing them on the spot when they try to give notice — and stopping their paychecks that same day. As such, employees legitimately wonder why they should bother giving notice.

But experts question say that quitting without notice can burn bridges, prompt negative job references and leave the quitter scrambling for her next job. Many times, those who quit do so in the heat of the moment. Better to try to talk to your boss about what’s wrong, human resource consultant Phyllis Hartman told the paper. “Start figuring out if there is anything you can do to fix it,” she says. “The worst that can happen is that nobody listens and they tell you no.”

What’s your take? Is quitting on the spot a moody millennial move or could you also see yourself doing it yourself?

Comments

  1. Lily

    I live in California and a few years ago I decided to leave my job so I gave 2 weeks notice. My boss then fired me on the spot. I called the government agency that handles workplace issues and they said that even though I gave my noticed I am not entitled to the two weeks pay . Most companies now don’t want you to stay and will walk you out right when you give notice.

  2. D Calivas

    As a Business Communications instructor, I tell my students that it is important to leave the “door open”, so to speak. By “walking” or “storming” out of a job sends the wrong message. By burning bridges on both ends, will label you as an “attention seeker” and someone who can not maintain composure, not to mention that you can never go back and ask for a recommendation.

    Always leave on good terms no matter how much your stomach is churning, you never know who might be watching (i.e., a future CEO of a fortune 500 company) who during your tenure was/is a mail clerk. Actions send a loud message, so if you want to leave, do so with grace, dignity, and most of all, with class. At the end, you will be missed and those in charge will regret letting you walk out that door.

    In the business world, you need to cognizant of your audience. Leave the theatrics for the Day-time Soaps, in the end you will come out the winner.

  3. Janice Stevenson

    Giving two weeks notice is a thing of the past. Employee quitting on the spot is in line with the employer’s practice of firing on the spot

  4. kiki

    I had the conversation with my boss. Her response was “perhaps you’ll be happier elsewhere.” She was right, so I’ve been actively looking elsewhere, but biding my time here. I figured the least they could do is pay me for my trouble 🙂

  5. Rosa

    If you are not being treated right and have not been there too long (under a year), and find you absolutely hate it, then quitting on the spot might be the way to go. Otherwise, try to give two weeks notice and remain extra pleasant and productive until you leave. That way you will be able to use them as a reference and they will remember you in a positive light and maybe even miss you!

  6. Robbie Meyer

    My friend just started a new job and it clearly states on his contract that the employer or the employee can terminate the employment at any time with or without notice and without reason. What a way to start a new working relationship. No wonder there is no loyalty anymore.

  7. Susan

    I am almost 67 years old and after 28+ years I have decided to retire. I gave my Principal at my school two months notice and it really isn’t enough notice, so I said I would stay three maybe four months. It’s so cool I love the job but I’m just really tired. She’s been really good to me so I want to be really good to her when I leave. It’s been a really nice job to have.

  8. Mary

    Actually, I did this. I worked for a government agency in the child abuse field for twelve years, and the day came when some thing went down on one of my cases that I could not live with. Somehow, I saw how far away I was from where I had started, and realized that I needed to make a drastic break that totally cut off all possibility of going back there. I simply did not return, the employer sent a couple teams of employees out to my home for a couple of weeks trying to get me to request a medical or personal leave but I declined to do so. To this day, I do not regret leaving the employer although I do miss my former clients.

  9. I always recommend a two-week notice prior to quitting a job. Yes, it is possible that you will be released immediately upon giving it, however, you will have peace of mind that you did the right thing. Stand tall and proud for doing so.

  10. Levi Nelson

    I would say it is getting to dangerous to give two weeks notice in many organizations. My best advice is treat your employer as they want to be treated. If they were good to you give them two weeks, if you they treated bad quit without notice. There is no loyalty anymore. Bosses today will act badly and fire employees that try to give notice. Plan your departure accordilingly. And see how your boss reacts to other employees leaving. Many companies only provide dates of hire, separation,
    beginning wage, end wage, salary,eligibible/ineligible for rehired, and job title. If they had mouth you they could be open to libel, slander, and defamation. Ceise and Desist letters are powerful ways to shut down negative references.

  11. Chris

    I did this about a week ago for a nonprofit in California. It was less than 3 months, so I was still on probation. However, I feared getting fired every single day because I felt that I wasn’t meeting expectations fast enough. The last straw came I “seemingly” made a mistake because my boss started to question me about why something was a certain way. My stomach was in knots and I could stand it no longer. I emailed my boss and cc’d the controller, and the payroll manager, and one other coworker I worked closely with, and left the office, never to return. About 2 hours later, I got a call from the controller and I was totally honest with her. She wasn’t upset or angry thankfully, but obviously disappointed and in complete shock. The downside? I am back on the hunt. But I learned my lesson: you gotta have a positive thought when you work and don’t assume. Never will I ever do this again.

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