2 Week Notice

[Raider Nation Fisher]

Alright fellas here is the question. I have offers coming in from three prospective employers this week and next week. All three are from Heavy Industrial companies. For the non contractors. That is big pipe, big wire, big steel, insane voltages, and regular high voltage (480 volts AC), high up working, and dirty brutal work conditions. All three companies sound like heaven on earth to me. Especially the one that does steel erection and electrical. 150 feet up connecting steel is like a soggy dream. Its surreal. Aint nothing more exciting then walking the steel. It is a rush unlike any other. Plus I get to run 6in rigid pipe and loads of other fun goodies!

Back on topic though. My current boss still ain't taken care of my insurance its been a month and a half and still zilch. I was lied to about my wages to boot. Is it required I give a two week notice? Or can I just tell them I'm done and leave? I mean I don't see the financial sense in staying an extra two weeks and losing money. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[preach4bass]

He seems to have broken any contract/covenant you had when he lied about the insurance.  But, is it worth burning a bridge over two weeks?

[tomustang]

2 weeks is a courtesy, I follow whatever Firing policy there is, since that's their notice system. Unless you wrote it in for employment for your notice to leave.

If you're a good worker then your quit notice is no impact for hiring.

[Fishing Rhino]

Contact your local labor relations board.  Let them evaluate your grievance, and let them handle it.

[flyfisher]

To me it is not about how they respect you as much as you respect yourself.  I have always given two week notice because you never know what down the road will happen.

 

And not giving adequate notice does come into consideration when hiring.  Granted, if you are the perfect fit for the job then maybe it isn't as big a deal but most employers will wonder if you would just drop them if something better came along just as quickly.

 

I also do not know how tight your particular area and industries are but you know word of mouth can make or break you at times.

[slonezp]

The normal response when giving 2 weeks in my trade is "Empty your tools out of the van and call for a ride"

[Marty]

To me it is not about how they respect you as much as you respect yourself.  I have always given two week notice because you never know what down the road will happen.

 

And not giving adequate notice does come into consideration when hiring.  Granted, if you are the perfect fit for the job then maybe it isn't as big a deal but most employers will wonder if you would just drop them if something better came along just as quickly.

 

I also do not know how tight your particular area and industries are but you know word of mouth can make or break you at times.

 

I agree 100%. This is not about the current employer, it's about how companies view someone who walks off with no notice, even if that is exactly what the company deserves.

[Marty]

The normal response when giving 2 weeks in my trade is "Empty your tools out of the van and call for a ride"

 

That is a common practice in a wide variety of industries, highly dependent on the relationship between employee and employer and the circumstances of the departure.

[slonezp]

That is a common practice in a wide variety of industries, highly dependent on the relationship between employee and employer and the circumstances of the departure.

In my trade, owners take it personal when a quality employee leaves. I left a shop after 8 years. I had worked my way up from pee on to service manager. I was in talks with the boss to buy the shop. We couldn't come to any kind of agreement and he got his 2 weeks notice. You'd thought I killed his dog or something. I've seen a bunch of guys just drop the vans off at the shop over the weekend leaving the keys inside with a note.

[deaknh03]

In my previous management life, when you went to give your 2 weeks you were told to leave your keys on the desk and leave.

[Root beer]

"Boss, another company offered me a better position with better benefits. Because I'm a honorable man, I'm going give you an official two weeks notice then I"m going to a new company."  Three things will happen: 1) he sweeten the pot for you to stay. 2) He will tell you to not to bother coming back. 3) You will work 2 weeks in peace and be gone. 

 

You still might need him one day as additional references. Always end on good terms if you can. Bite the bullet on whatever B.S. he didn't do for you and move on. 

[flyfisher]

I know in some places if you put your two weeks in and they tell you to go ahead and leave they have to pay you for those two weeks.

 

I know where i work they do that if they have concerns about an employee but no grounds to fire them.

[EvanT123]

"Boss, another company offered me a better position with better benefits. Because I'm a honorable man, I'm going give you an official two weeks notice then I"m going to a new company." Three things will happen: 1) he sweeten the pot for you to stay. 2) He will tell you to not to bother coming back. 3) You will work 2 weeks in peace and be gone.

You still might need him one day as additional references. Always end on good terms if you can. Bite the bullet on whatever B.S. he didn't do for you and move on.

I'm an employment counselor and I would recommend giving 2 weeks notice as well. Even if the job sucks its generally the accepted and right thing to do. You never know when you may need a reference even if you already have some. It sounds like your in a union so it's different but I would still follow the general principal. I think root beer did an excellent job of explaining all the possible outcomes and none of those are bad at all.

[Raider Nation Fisher]

As mad as I am about the insurance and the money. It all comes back to who you know. My current boss is friends with my old boss. The one from the company I'm waiting to get back on with. Unless things work out better with one of these newer companies. I want back to where I was before I started working here, they just don't have enough work currently. I may not be loyal to my new boss. However, I am loyal to the other employees I work with. I don't want to just leave them up and hanging. I figure I'm going to give my 2 weeks and just go from there. Two of the three will start me on a days notice. So I figure I might as well try an do the right thing.

There ain't no turning back from leaving. I can't take a 500 dollar a month pay cut, right now. Least not for any longer. Commercial pays horrible. Industrial pays good. Heavy Industrial can make you rich.

Most importantly though. I'm not enjoying the work anymore. I dread going to work in the mornings. Commercial work is boring to me. I hate MC cable and by God we run tons of it! I love my trades and I enjoy going to work. I like coming home filthy and tired at the end of the day. It makes me feel like I am accomplishing something. I just don't enjoy commercial work anymore.

Heavy Industrial is where I am happiest. It took this venture away from Industrial to figure it out. So I guess this was just a learning experience for me. I did learn a few new things while I was here. I made some new friends and connections. Got to do some soul searching as far as what line of electrical I want to be in. Which in my opinion makes it a worth while experience. Nothing ventured nothing gained. It cost me 2 grand to learn these lessons. However I should make it back in a few months time elsewhere.

So I guess y'all are right. I ain't gonna burn the bridge. Its just 2 weeks time before I can get on with my life.

[Raider Nation Fisher]

I'm an employment counselor and I would recommend giving 2 weeks notice as well. Even if the job sucks its generally the accepted and right thing to do. You never know when you may need a reference even if you already have some. It sounds like your in a union so it's different but I would still follow the general principal. I think root beer did an excellent job of explaining all the possible outcomes and none of those are bad at all.

Nope ain't Union. I'm what the union refers to as a rat. And am d**n proud of it!

Out of curiosity though. What sounds union about my situation. I ain't being a snark. I'm just curious.

[Root beer]

I didn't noticed anything that indicate you were in a union. He must live in the northern state. I don't pay union dues. I use that money to buy booze.

[Raider Nation Fisher]

I didn't noticed anything that indicate you were in a union. He must live in the northern state. I don't pay union dues. I use that money to buy booze.

That is going on a tshirt! As well as the port o jon wall tomorrow.

[Root beer]

Long as you cut me in on the profit.

[EvanT123]

That's my mistake. I thought from some of your other threads you were in a union. In that case I would definetly give the two weeks.

[slonezp]

That's my mistake. I thought from some of your other threads you were in a union. In that case I would definetly give the two weeks.

It's me. I'm the union slacker. Local 597 Pipefitter.

[Raider Nation Fisher]

Long as you cut me in on the profit.

Deal.

[CayMar]

I have usually provided 2 weeks notice and left on good terms. I only gave 2 days notice when I left my last job but it was for a job I previously had and the boss called me and said I have an open position ,be here Wednesday or I will fill it. I explained the situation to my boss at the time and he understood, sent me off with a hand shake and well wishes. I think you should at least be upfront with you boss and let him know your intentions. If he is understanding and supportive of your decision give him 2 weeks as a courtesy. If he is a butt hole about it load your gear and leave.

[Raider Nation Fisher]

That's my mistake. I thought from some of your other threads you were in a union. In that case I would definetly give the two weeks.

Nope I've looked into it though. The union is weak down here. It directly affects the wages too. I would prefer a stronger union then what we have. It makes the wages go up.

[EvanT123]

The only time I deal with union guys is when they are thinking about leaving the union and looking for other opportunities. I'm sure every state is different but in NY a union member cannot take a non-union job without penalty. I'm sure some guys do side jobs but that's another story.

The main thing is; if your not happy and have better opportunities by all means purse them. The thing that gets me is alot of these companies expect undying loyalty from their employees but will cut you without a blink of an eye. My thought has always been I look at my self as a company and have to do the best for my bottom line and it sounds like that's what your doing.

[Glenn]

Well...since your old and new boss know each other, that pretty much dictates you follow proper protocol.  I normally do, but....

 

One time I worked for a small company where the owners were SO bad, I had to leave.  I won't get into specifics, but they were awful. So instead of giving them 2 weeks....I fired THEM.

 

Yes, you read that right.  I fired them.

 

I walked into their office, handed them my key, and told them that they weren't qualified to be my manager, so I was firing them.  I told them they lacked the skills necessary to help grow me professionally, and lacked basic managerial skills necessary for the job, and so their services weren't needed any more. 

 

They were stunned. 

 

I turned and walked out the door before they could utter a word.

 

Felt great!