If your boss gave you your two-weeks' notice, would you be willing to teach your replacement?

Question

I work at a law firm. The reason my boss gave my co-worker time before getting officially laid off is to tie up loose ends with certain cases and inform the clients that someone else will be working on their file.

Answer 1

Yes I would. 2 weeks pay is 2 weeks pay. I'd want to think long term. Yeah, I'm being fired, but I'd want to leave on as good a note as possible. This same boss is going to verify my employment. It might even be that the person I'd train will take the call regarding me and they could put in a good word if we became friends. I'd also ask for permission to use the phone and fax for new jobs too. Also, If they trusted me that much to train a replacement and they know I am going to be inconvenienced by a dismissal, they most likely wouldn't have a problem with me jetting off for an interview.

Answer 2

If an employer is courteous enough to give me time to look for another job while I am still getting paid, I see no reason not to train a replacement. There are many reasons for employers to let someone go. If my attendance was poor, or I could not get along with someone in the office, or some other reason that had nothing to do with my actual job performance.

Answer 3

I've never heard of an employer giving two weeks notice - usually the other way around.

If you gave notice, yes, train them - never burn bridges.
If they are firing you - well, see comment about burning bridges. If you're not going to use that boss as a reference, then do what you want. If you are going to use him/her as a reference, you need to appear like a "team player" to the end.

Answer 4

it doesn't work that way. If you are being fired or let go, you don't get two weeks notice, you leave right at that moment. they pay you for the day, and any vacation time you have coming to you and you leave. You don't stay because if they fired you then you possibly could do more damage. Any boss that operates this way is not suited to be in charge of anything.

Answer 5

There would be no chance that I would teach my replacement. Unless it is written in your job description or contract I would gice my boss the option. You can either pay my severance for two weeks or I can work for two weeks, but I will do no more than what is required by my job description.

Depending on where you are from there are different legislative rules in different areas regarding this. Check with your local labour regulations department in government.

Answer 6

Wait a minute....a boss wouldn't give you a 2 week notice....you'd be gone that day! If I were getting fired, no I wouldn't train anyone else.

If I gave a 2 week notice, it would depend on the job and the reason I was leaving. If I were leaving on good terms, then yes I would.

Answer 7

I would go through the motions of teaching my replacement. To give myself time to find another job. And still have a pay check coming in. Why Did he give you notice?

Answer 8

No, I would ask him in a very professional manner, that since he no longer felt I was up to his standard, how could I possibly be qualifed/ the right person to train the person that he felt exceeded me in the skills that are needed for the position?

Answer 9

No. If the boss says you have to go then go. He severed your relationship with the company at that point. It is his responsibilty to train the replacement.

Answer 10

i might, but i'd be sure to tell them the opposite of things, like the ways the boss liked things done, or their preferences, where they like to sit on airplanes when you book, communication methods, etc.

that's mean but .... if i was leaving on non-amicable terms, i just might do it. ;)