Can the owner or boss ask you question regarding your employment?

Question

I have no ideal how they found out, because I haven't even mention it to anyone. My boss found out I was looking for another job and decided to pass it on to the owner. They both came in one night when I was working and asked me if I was plainning on leaving and if so they accept my resignation and I don't have to give a two weeks notice. (Meaning I can leave right now!) A.) I haven't even received an interview or offer yet for anyone else. B.) Shouldn't they at least wait until I tell them I'm leaving. C.) Although they now know this little secret of mine do they have the right to bascially fire me on the spot.

Answer 1

I had a similar experience except I was fired on the same day they asked me.

Answer 2

State laws vary, but in Texas they can fire you on the spot without any reason given at all. Cause or with cause here only means weather or not you can collect unemployment.

There is a good chance some place where you put in an application called to learn more about you before investing the time an interview requires. You can avoid some of the scenes like this by including a cover letter with your resume that requests them not to contact your current employer, some applications ask if they can contact them -- if so, fill it out as you wish.

Employers will often immediately dismiss people they know are job hunting. While you think they are not aware of your activities, they will take the action that best benefits them. If you are in training, why should they continue to invest in your training? If you are just wrapping up a major project but have yet to begin the next one, why pay you to start something you won't finish? If you are leaving and they can fire you on their terms, when they know you won't steal anything or mess with their computer security, why should they give you a chance to cost them money on your way out?

Employees are expected to give two weeks notice on the way out the door, but only when they have harmless potential or a long and amiable relationship with their employers -- or have some unique knowledge they need to pass on before they leave, are employees usually actually able to stay on the payroll even an hour after giving notice.

Everyone acts in their own best interest -- that includes you, and it includes your employers. Expect others to protect themselves even if you believe they have no reason to feel it necessary.

Good luck.

Answer 3

Many states like AZ are right to work states. In that case, yes, they can ask you to leave immediately. You would be amazed how frequently I found out employees were shopping for new jobs. One employee applied at a friends company, another employee applied at a vendors company and one employee was using the email at the office to send out resumes, even had the office email for potential employers to respond to.

So unfortunately I would say it is time to work full-time finding a new job. Most employers feel that if you do not want to be there, you won't be wanting to do your job properly. In that case, why should they pay you. While you may be different, I have seen it. Frequently when I start seeing an employees work suffering it is either trouble at home or they are looking for a "better" job.

Answer 4

Have you turned in an application elsewhere? If you did, the person who is reviewing your application may have called your boss based on the information on your employment history. It's a touchy subject for the current boss if you don't let them know what's going on. Let them know you are just looking right now, and that you will definitely give them their two weeks notice IF and WHEN you decide to switch jobs.

Answer 5

Were you looking for this job at work on the computer? If so, that's how they found out.... Decide whether you want to leave now of not and if you do, then leave, if not play dumb and just tell them what they want to hear.... you know... how great of a company they have, and how much you like working there, and you were just looking into a job for a family memeber or something.... just play the game.... they are

Answer 6

Whether or not they'll fire you might depend on how you answered their question, and how convincing you were - not to mention how much they feel they need you in your current job. But yes, they can fire you - most US employees are employees at will, which means they can be fired at any time for pretty much any reason, or for no reason.

Good luck.

Answer 7

Truly it is up to how you answered their question. The main answer you are looking for is C, so if you said you were not looking for a job then yes they can ask you to leave because of your intent. They have an obligation to the business to see to it that it is profitable. If you answered no, then they have no grounds for dismissing you.

Answer 8

A: So what?
B: No, why should they?
C: Yes, they do.

Unless you have an explicit employment contract your tenure is considered "at will" and either you or the employer can terminate the relationship at any time, without reason, and without prior notice.

Answer 9

Yes, you can be fired for this but it is more like you quit. You have shown you aren't interested in staying in your job and so they don't want to bother training you any more or promoting you, you are now dead weight. You won't collect unemployment since you are considered to have quit.

Answer 10

Yes, they can fire you for that. Unless the laws are different where you live. There's not much you can do about it. But, you might qualify for unemployment benefits.