Quit without notice?

[Joe]

Would you quit your current job without 2 weeks notice?

Everybody is always on the look-out for a better job, if you were able to find the job of your dreams would you give your current employer 2 weeks notice? or would the "grudge" be big enough to walk off your current job?

I know that its respectful to give 2 weeks notice, you give your employer enough time to "negotiate" or to replace your position.... but if time was of the essence..would you just walk off?

Would you burn that bridge? because you know you will never cross it again.....or would you preserve it as a fallback plan?

Please answer this post...... I want your input..... or better said Ineedguidance

[monk]

Well Joe, I took that job offer up at a factory in Eaton Rapids, and I was only able to give a short notice. I felt horrible, and wish I had not left, the job in the factory turns out only to be part time. I left a little "bridge" when I left though, offering to stay part time and fill in shifts. Had I not done that, I would have had no fall back... I really recommend (unless you are dang positive that the job is fail-safe) a two week notice, I almost put myself in a huge predicament...

[Joe]

I remeber that!
I didnt know all the details..... but I knew you were moving on.
In that case though you didnt have all the info. so that threw you off when you found out.
Atleast you're back in the "system" and maybe with more hours..... you do different stuff everyday ....plus you have to admit we have a boss that "looks-out" for good employees.... which is the way it should be!

[todd]

I think the two week notice is over-rated. If you intend on working for the company again some day then sure. Why not? If you feel a strong kinship or you feel that you owe them something.

I think it also depends on the job. If you are in an entry-level job then the company will not have too difficult of a time replacing you.

Ask yourself these questions:

Do you feel respected by the company?

Do you feel that they go out of their way to see that you are happy in your position?

Do you have a good relationship with the management?

Are you pursuing a dream or just switching for pay and/or benefits?

Most of the time when you move from one job to another you are just substituting one set of circumstances for another. If neither set is within your goal or ultimate vision for your future then who cares whether you burn bridges?

You need to create the circumstances in your life. Most people just accept the circumstances created by others.

[netcom]

I have worked for many big companies RCA, GE, Mitel Networks, etc....
I have always stayed "long term" and have been very respected by these companies but have always been a victom of the "Lay Off" syndrome.

I only "quit" one job in my whole life. I worked for a company in Lansing for 8 years and was approached by a larger company out of Grand Rapids SEVERAL TIMES to go to work for them. I was really torn about quitting, but the lure of more money, a new company vehicle, technical schools, and better benefits finally won out.

I GAVE MY 2 WEEKS NOTICE!

Things that two weeks weren't so good. The owner felt betrayed, the other techs felt like I was a traitor.

I felt it was the right thing to do as people in my field require YEARS of training and I felt it was important to allow them the option of finding a replacement as it would have been ultimatly the "Customers" who would have suffered.

There were some hard feelings, but now (almost 10 years later) there don't seem to be any and I still see some of the "Crew" as we are all in the same industry.

As for the company I went to work for in Grand Rapids, they told me in no certain circumstances that if I were to give my 2 weeks notice, I might as well leave that day as they had problems with past employees steeling there customer base.

When people quit, it ALWAYS was a mad dash to "delete" your voice mailbox, Change locks (or at least get the keys), change customer system passwords and delete phone and business credit cards.

I don't have to worry about this any more......IM SELF EMPLOYED (Thank God)

I fired myself for the weekend and am up at my cottage in Houghton Lake riding my motorcycle and enjoying the "Color Tour".

I will ask for my job back Monday....LOL

I DON'T LIKE BURNING BRIDGES.....I WILL ALWAYS GIVE A TWO WEEK NOTICE

[Jake]

speaking from experience joe, it is always best to give a two week notice, just in case you have to come back, for the fourth time.

[todd]

I have a question. What are you thinking of quitting and why?

[convicker]

Some employers insist that you give a two-week notice. Some do not. I know that for some employers, not giving a two-week notice disqualifies you for re-employment with that company. This is not what you want if you are going to put this company down as part of your work history due to the following type of conversation:

New Employer: Hi, I am jane smith and I am calling to verify employment on mr Joe Brown. He has listed your company as a former employer. I need to know his work history and what type of employee he was.

Former employer: Company policy prohibits me from disclosing anything but the following information - Mr Brown was employed from start date-end date. The postition he held was job title, and he is not eligible for re-employment with our complany.

Now, this is an abbreviated conversation, especially since most companies send out a questionnare to the Human Resources department, but it does include the question "Would your company re-hire this employee" in one form or another.

Just my viewpoint on the whole two-week notice thing. Hope it helps.

[Joe]

thanks for all the information... alot of the stuff I would have never thinked of, like what convicker said about the "eligibilty to rehire etc"
Its not like I dont respect my current employer, It's just that I dont even know for sure what my start date is going to be.
I do enjoy my job and the people I work with! these 5+ years have been great!
Unfortunately times change... and its only in human nature to try and better yourself.
I know I will miss the people that I work with....... I've had good supervisors, that I respected ....... and back at the office, they always went "above and beyond" to help me.
Since being in the USA this has been my first real job, that involves others.... that involves teamwork..... I have learned alot, I feel that I've grown together with the company.

[todd]

Okay. Now I am curious. What are you talking about? Your leaving XXXXXXX?

As far as convicker's info is concerned. It seems like the companies should include in their questionnaire a question about whether the employee would consider working for the company again.

Sometimes the decision to leave is mutual. Some jobs or companies are not on par with the employee's needs. Perhaps the job sucked and that affected the employee's attitude towards the company and, subsequently, the employee's decision to leave.

I think that talented people do not need to worry about past employment. If you can demonstrate that you have something that the company needs then you will most likely be hired for the position.

The only time you should really be concerned is if you are going for an entry level position and are competing with people who have the exact same qualifications. This gets back to my earlier statement about creating your own circumstances.

I have known Joe for the past five years and I can vouch for his abilities. He is very talented and needs to do something with that talent; a real find for any company looking to hire. Whether or not he gave his two weeks notice at a company will not matter to a company that recognizes his talent.

Whether he wants to go back someday is a mute point.