I've worked here for three years now and I want to go back to school - the private sector just isn't for me, especially working for someone else. I love the people I work with and my boss and they have a lot in stake in me so its a tough move. It feels like it would almost be a breakup. In January I got employee of the year and they sent me to Cabo...

Anyway, I want to leave at the end of September. Thats after our busy season and it would be an easier time for the company to find a replacement. My question is, when should I let them know? Personally, Id like to do it asap just to get the weight off my chest and get the ball rolling on my future, but giving them three months notice seems a little excessive. Two weeks is really too short for me to train a replacement, especially since we'll be busy in august and September. So when is the appropriate time?

6/7/2011 1:33:56 PM

I gave two months when I left my old job to go to grad school. I did it that far in advance because, well, there was no need in hiding it, and also because we knew the training of someone else would be longer than two weeks. One of the busiest times of the year was also right after I would be leaving so I helped my boss get caught up on everything and get it done early.



At another (shitty) job I had, I went to give my two weeks notice and the guy was a complete dick and called me a drama queen (I was quitting due to never sticking to a schedule we agreed on, and school/research just go to be too much with it). I was thinking, "Oh I'll give you a drama queen," so I put the key (a little forcefully) on the table and walked out.

[Edited on June 7, 2011 at 1:39 PM. Reason : .]

6/7/2011 1:39:19 PM

Quote :

"I got employee of the year and they sent me to Cabo..."

@humblebrag




This really depends on your personality. If you're more of a nice guy, you tell them sooner, giving them more time to backfill your duties and train your successor. But by doing them, you limit your options if you have a change of heart. If you're more of an asshole (like me!) you wait until two weeks. You don't owe the company any more than that, and despite any perceived loyalty you may feel from them, you're just an asset. They don't care about you anymore than Salzman from accounting. This way, you keep your options open and give yourself a chance to change your mind.

In the end, its you call, but I'd look out for my best interests. The company is certainly looking out for theirs.

6/7/2011 1:42:39 PM

what does the employee handbook say regarding notification? I'd stick to what that says.

If you have extra time you could create a training packet/guide for your position (if one doesn't already exist) before you give your notification and have it at the ready in case they need it for the new person after you leave.

6/7/2011 1:57:29 PM

what do you do? I know in a few instances when I've had people offer their notice I've either let them go then or let them use their vacation time because they had already checked out in their mind and i didn't want to keep someone around who wasn't productive.

6/7/2011 2:42:05 PM

do you get your own parking spot at the front for that employee award?

if so i'd stay

[Edited on June 7, 2011 at 2:53 PM. Reason : at the front]

6/7/2011 2:53:12 PM

While giving more than 2 weeks so they have time to train your successor is probably a good idea in your case, since it sounds like you have a good relationship with your boss and co-workers, you don't want to go too far since that may make things awkward. I'd say a month is plenty of notice.

6/7/2011 3:05:42 PM

Quote :

"I love the people I work with and my boss and they have a lot in stake in me so its a tough move. It feels like it would almost be a breakup."

Here's your problem here, its business and while I'm not saying you need to go all wall street here, You've got to make the best call for you. They pay you and you provide work, you don't anything other whats in your contract. If the company can't absorb your loss with at least a little notice then they haven't done a great job on the management level.

This:

Quote :

"In the end, its you call, but I'd look out for my best interests. The company is certainly looking out for theirs."

[Edited on June 7, 2011 at 3:08 PM. Reason : ]

6/7/2011 3:06:50 PM

Give them notice no sooner than you can afford to live without a job. Depending on the management and company, and especially if they have spent some money on you, this could sour the situation with them rather quickly, and they could toss you out.

Doesnt sound like its likely. If you can live without a job until you go back to school, then give them maximum notice. If they are truly good people, you will get a lot of respect from them, and they'll be awesome references in the future and they'll let you work there for a long as you can until you have to leave for school.

[Edited on June 7, 2011 at 3:19 PM. Reason : .]

6/7/2011 3:18:16 PM

As others have said, be careful about giving notice. I've worked for a couple of places that whenever someone turned in notice, they told them to pack up and leave right then and there.

Now if you know they won't do that, then give as much notice as you want.

6/7/2011 3:54:52 PM

have you considered asking for an educational leave of absence?

the company doesn't pay you a salary anymore and the door is open for you to come back. its really non-commital on both ends but has a more positive image

just a thought

6/7/2011 4:14:03 PM

No one can hate on you for leaving for wanting to go back to school. Sounds like an opportunity to get some awesome references. But I'd give 2 weeks at the least. Maybe even offer to train a new hire if there is enough time.

6/7/2011 4:16:41 PM

I have been at my job only 8 months, and will be a stay at home mom after the baby is born. Instead of taking maternity leave and putting in my notice while I was gone I gave them my notice, in writing, 1.5 months ago. My last day is next Friday.

It definitely depends on your company.
As someone said earlier, don't give your notice until the time you can live w/o a salary comes to be. We knew we could go that long w/o my salary if they told me to go ahead and walk, so that's when I did it.

Also...go with your gut. I had plenty of friends and former colleagues tell me I was crazy to give my notice that soon, or even tell them I wasn't coming back til I was already on leave. I could not do that. I have more integrity than that. I stuck with my gut and it has been a very pleasant end with my job. They appreciatedthe heads up, they didn't send me packing, and I have a good standing that I could return to them for references or maybe even a job for when I am ready to return. You know your company better than anyone...go with your gut.

6/7/2011 4:44:17 PM

The key is to walk the line between being professional and looking out for number one. Quitting your job to go back to school can be a life changing decision. It behooves you not to dick around on this one.

6/7/2011 4:49:34 PM

All good advice in here. The question I have is if the company in question is a large or small one. If the company is small (less than 100 people) and the department you work in is a tight group, you might consider telling your boss up front of your plans for school. They probably won't feel the "betrayal" as most people would feel since you would be pursuing school again, but if you were going for another job. Give them the absolute min of 2 weeks. lol

If it's a large company and your position is actually not that hard to replace, 2 weeks notice. If you have a good relationship with your boss, maybe 4 weeks to him only, but only start the paper work 2 weeks later.

Also, is the degree you want to pursue towards the same career path your already on? Someone mentioned the idea of the educational leave of absence which is a good idea to ask about. Shit, sometimes if you are going for your masters or certifications, they'll pay your whole tuition fees with some sort of contract saying you'd work for them right after for a period of time, min. I'm not to knowledgeable, but a fair question to ask if that idea is sounding of what your life goals are.

6/7/2011 7:27:18 PM

I left my last full time job to go to grad school, and gave them tons of notice. And my old manager is now one of the best references I have as I go on my job search now that I've just graduated. Don't know if that's right for your situation, but for mine a lot of upfront notice and willingness to make the transition smooth seems to have been the right thing.

6/7/2011 8:00:19 PM