It’s a Small World … Be Careful How You Resign

Within the past couple of weeks, I’ve heard similar
stories from clients. Two clients had employees resign and they didn’t give
proper notice. What is proper notice? Generally speaking, if you are working at
a company for a couple of years or more, two weeks’ notice is the appropriate
time to give. If you are working at a firm for less than a year, a week’s
notice should be sufficient. Many companies spell out in their company
handbooks how much notice they expect. For management level positions, it is
not unreasonable for organizations to ask for four weeks’ notice. In management
level positions, the transition takes a little longer.

I was a bit surprised when I heard the roles each of the
above employees held. I thought to myself, “They should know better.” More
surprising was the firms they were leaving to join didn’t want them to give
proper notice. Don’t they realize the same thing can happen to them should
these new employees decide to up and leave?

How employees leave organizations says a lot about them.
Obviously there are many ways to leave: either on your own or the organization
asks you to move on. There are also many ways to affect how colleagues and bosses
will remember you. I always respect the employee who is open and gracious about
their leaving more than the employee who insists on giving no or short notice.

Here are some things to consider when giving notice:
The world is small; the company you are joining
may check your references even after you start.

• Today companies are taken over and merge. A
  supervisor you left in one job may become your supervisor in another job.
• You may become the supervisor of a boss you left.
• You never want to be “bad mouthed” within your
  industry.

Sometimes it is not easy to take the high road, but the
road could save your career.

Check back on July 21st to see a sample resignation letter.