Why do you feel obliged to give a two weeks notice but company never do the same for you?

Question

Have you ever ask yourself, why do I have to give a two weeks notice to my boss when I am leaving a position but when the company that I am working for will not do the same for me. If they decided to lay me off, they just show me the door. So do you think you’re just falling for big corporations’ brainwash on being ethical when they themselves will not do the same for you?

Answer 1

You are not required to give any notice at all. So if you want to walk out, do so. I knew a fellow who was called by his supervisor and asked why he hadn't been to work for three day. The worker told his boss that he had retired w eek previously.
However, if you ever want good references it is better to give some notice of your intention to leave.
On the other side of the coin, there are many companies that will give an employee severance pay when letting them go. Sometimes this can amount to as much as six months pay.
So it sort of depends on what sort of a company you work for as to whether or not you give notice. Frankly, unless there were extenuating circumstances, I would give notice if only not to create ill will, Remember, you might want to go back to that company in the future.

Answer 2

If you have been loyal to the company and they have been loyal to YOU, then I would give them two weeks notice. Then that way, you leave on good terms and the company respects you.

But if the company has not been loyal to you, you can two things, one quit the company and make a scene (really do it if it's in retail) or voice your displeasure to everyone/everywhere and then let the company do the dirty work and fire you.

Now, it may suck and you may have to go apply for unemployement benefits, but in the end, if you end up getting a better job at a good company, that company that fired you is going to wish that they

a - Treated you a whole heck of alot better than they did and
b - did not fire their best employee and the next 6 they hire all quit 2 weeks after they hire them and
c - LOSE CUSTOMERS BIG TIME.

Answer 3

Don't burn your bridge before you cross over to the other side!
You never know when you might need something from them. It is a small world, and if you do them wrong, it will come back to you.

Labor laws state that you have to give a notice the same way that you are paid, i.e. weekly, monthly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly if you want your benefits paid upon your termination. Illness benefits are not payable, vacation benefits are left to the option of the company. Most companies will pay you your unused vacation days if you give them a fair notice.

If a company really want you they will wait for two weeks. I got a job offer one time, and the interviewer said we need someone to start right away. I said that I could start in two weeks because I had not given my notice to my current employer. He said, Oh, well I will have to offer the job to another candidate.

A few days later he called and said that was a trick question. He would never hire someone who would leave their employer without a notice, because most likely they would pull the same thing on their company.

I thanked him for the offer, but the salary and distance would not be to my benefit to quit my current job.

Answer 4

If you'd ever need a reference down the road, giving a 2-week notice seems like the proper thing to do. Don't want to leave with bad feelings.
You're right, companies don't always give any notice when they lay someone off. Doesn't mean it's the right thing.
But in order to feel good about yourself, do the right thing. You'll be glad you did. You don't know what lies ahead.

Answer 5

I really believe that it depends upon the company and the circumstances, but in many cases, you probably shouldn't feel obliged.

I would tend to think that the larger and more impersonal the company, the less you should feel obliged. If you're someone's right hand man who has alway's been fair with you, however, then don't leave them high and dry when you know it could cause a problem.

Answer 6

you are only fired on the spot with no notice if you if you do somehting wrong. Other wise you should be given notice. However, many companies prefer to give you the two weeks notice but tell you not to come into work, this prevents problems that may happen from an unhapy soon to be ex employee.

Answer 7

Contracts of employment are the con; they are entirely for the benefit of the employer. Before Thatcherism almost no-one in the UK had a contract and employers had to be prepared to give good reasons to get rid of you. Now they use the contracts to get rid of people at the drop of a hat and demand a month's notice from employees and almost everyone's forgotten the freedom we used to have and thinks the contract is for their benefit!

Answer 8

You make a very good point.

I have been brainwashed!

Okay, maybe not, but I am pretty distressed about this now.

Answer 9

SUPPOSEDLY IT IS TO GIVE THE COMPANY "TIME" TO FIND A REPLACEMENT FOR YOU - IF THEY LAY YOU OFF, THEY PROBALY HAVE BEEN PLANNING IT FOR WEEKS AND HAVE ALREADY "FOUND" YOUR REPLACEMENT WEEKS BEFORE THEY LAY YOU OFF - BUT IF YOU FEEL YOU WERE LAYED OFF BECAUSE OF DISCRIMINATION, YOU CAN FILE AN EEO FORM

Answer 10

good question!!!!

id just say if you dont like the place and you are quitting then **** em and leave. and steal as much **** as you can b4 you go. staplers, paper, maybe a keyboard or two.