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Am I required/expected to notify current boss that I'm looking for a new job?
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When I changed jobs last year, my previous boss was very insulted that I didn't tell him I was looking for a job and didn't ask him for a reference letter. (I did give him a month's notice when leaving.)
Is it usual or expected to notify your current workplace that you're considering leaving, and to ask your current employer to act as a reference?
If so, in what circumstances would it be acceptable not to do so? If it's not generally expected, are there any cases where it would be?
professionalism job-change employer-relations exit-planning
edited Jul 8 '16 at 11:28
Lilienthal♦
54k36183218
asked Apr 11 '12 at 7:41
weronika
2,56021527
add a comment |Â
up vote
38
down vote
favorite
When I changed jobs last year, my previous boss was very insulted that I didn't tell him I was looking for a job and didn't ask him for a reference letter. (I did give him a month's notice when leaving.)
Is it usual or expected to notify your current workplace that you're considering leaving, and to ask your current employer to act as a reference?
If so, in what circumstances would it be acceptable not to do so? If it's not generally expected, are there any cases where it would be?
professionalism job-change employer-relations exit-planning
edited Jul 8 '16 at 11:28
Lilienthal♦
54k36183218
asked Apr 11 '12 at 7:41
weronika
2,56021527
33
IMO, A boss that is "insulted" because an employee wants to change jobs doesn't understand the employer/employee relationship very well. I have had bosses complain that I didn't "give them a chance to give me a raise" before switching jobs; implying that my work somehow became more valuable after I resigned than it was when I worked there. Your former boss will just have to get over it.
– KutuluMike
Apr 25 '12 at 16:57
add a comment |Â
up vote
38
down vote
favorite
up vote
38
down vote
favorite
When I changed jobs last year, my previous boss was very insulted that I didn't tell him I was looking for a job and didn't ask him for a reference letter. (I did give him a month's notice when leaving.)
Is it usual or expected to notify your current workplace that you're considering leaving, and to ask your current employer to act as a reference?
If so, in what circumstances would it be acceptable not to do so? If it's not generally expected, are there any cases where it would be?
professionalism job-change employer-relations exit-planning
edited Jul 8 '16 at 11:28
Lilienthal♦
54k36183218
asked Apr 11 '12 at 7:41
weronika
2,56021527
When I changed jobs last year, my previous boss was very insulted that I didn't tell him I was looking for a job and didn't ask him for a reference letter. (I did give him a month's notice when leaving.)
Is it usual or expected to notify your current workplace that you're considering leaving, and to ask your current employer to act as a reference?
If so, in what circumstances would it be acceptable not to do so? If it's not generally expected, are there any cases where it would be?
professionalism job-change employer-relations exit-planning
edited Jul 8 '16 at 11:28
Lilienthal♦
54k36183218
asked Apr 11 '12 at 7:41
weronika
2,56021527
edited Jul 8 '16 at 11:28
Lilienthal♦
54k36183218
edited Jul 8 '16 at 11:28
Lilienthal♦
54k36183218
edited Jul 8 '16 at 11:28
Lilienthal♦
54k36183218
54k36183218
asked Apr 11 '12 at 7:41
weronika
2,56021527
asked Apr 11 '12 at 7:41
weronika
2,56021527
asked Apr 11 '12 at 7:41
weronika
2,56021527
2,56021527
33
IMO, A boss that is "insulted" because an employee wants to change jobs doesn't understand the employer/employee relationship very well. I have had bosses complain that I didn't "give them a chance to give me a raise" before switching jobs; implying that my work somehow became more valuable after I resigned than it was when I worked there. Your former boss will just have to get over it.
– KutuluMike
Apr 25 '12 at 16:57
add a comment |Â
33
IMO, A boss that is "insulted" because an employee wants to change jobs doesn't understand the employer/employee relationship very well. I have had bosses complain that I didn't "give them a chance to give me a raise" before switching jobs; implying that my work somehow became more valuable after I resigned than it was when I worked there. Your former boss will just have to get over it.
– KutuluMike
Apr 25 '12 at 16:57
33
33
IMO, A boss that is "insulted" because an employee wants to change jobs doesn't understand the employer/employee relationship very well. I have had bosses complain that I didn't "give them a chance to give me a raise" before switching jobs; implying that my work somehow became more valuable after I resigned than it was when I worked there. Your former boss will just have to get over it.
– KutuluMike
Apr 25 '12 at 16:57
IMO, A boss that is "insulted" because an employee wants to change jobs doesn't understand the employer/employee relationship very well. I have had bosses complain that I didn't "give them a chance to give me a raise" before switching jobs; implying that my work somehow became more valuable after I resigned than it was when I worked there. Your former boss will just have to get over it.
– KutuluMike
Apr 25 '12 at 16:57
add a comment |Â
5 Answers
5
active
oldest
votes
up vote
31
down vote
accepted
I suspect that this will probably be one that will vary a bit from country to country. I can only speak from my experiences in Ireland:
- No, you are under no obligation to tell your current employer that you're looking for a new job
- Yes, it would be typical to ask your current employer for a reference (though typically only once you've resigned)
Exceptions to the first rule might include situations where you're a one-person team and you don't want to leave your current employer in the lurch. However, these truly are exceptions, and not the rule. In general, giving your employer an opportunity to replace you is what a notice period is for.
answered Apr 11 '12 at 8:18
John N
2,0201818
1
I would add that while it may be "usual" to ask your current employer for a reference, it's not required. For example, I'd be hesitant to ask my current employer for a reference if our relationship is on rocky ground, as it may cause them to simply fire me before I can quit. Not giving them notice until I find a position, in that situation, increases the chances that I can leave when I'm ready, minimizing the hardship created by my not having a job.
– Shauna
Apr 11 '12 at 11:17
I would only ever ask for a reference having already resigned. Sorry, that's not at all clear in my answer - I'll update.
– John N
Apr 11 '12 at 13:08
I'd add that you should always give your employer appropriate notice (2 weeks is standard in the US, I personally feel key employees & team leaders should offer a month if practical to train up replacements).
– voretaq7
Apr 11 '12 at 23:22
5
By the time I resigned, I already had a new contract, so I didn't need the reference.
– weronika
Apr 13 '12 at 4:11
add a comment |Â
up vote
30
down vote
It is not expected that you inform your boss that you are looking for a new job, and it's certainly not required.
Look at it the other way:
Would your employer give you more than the minimum legal notice if they were thinking of firing you or making you redundant?
The answer to that is probably "no".
The notice period in your contract is there to notify your employer of your intentions to leave. In some countries/industries you get escorted from the premises as soon as you hand in your notice - for all sorts of reasons. These same reasons would apply when you reveal your intentions to move and if the move didn't happen then you'd be in an infinitely worse position than you were before.
In respect of a reference - in the UK all that a previous employer has to give is confirmation of the dates you worked there. So there should be no issue of not asking for a reference.
answered Apr 11 '12 at 9:30
ChrisF
8,56423957
You need to work at better places. I have never been blind sided while working for a reputable company. Most of my onsite-managers have given me notice far more than 2 weeks when my contracts would be ending.
– IDrinkandIKnowThings
Apr 11 '12 at 13:52
4
@Chad - I'm not talking about normal end of contact stuff.
– ChrisF
Apr 11 '12 at 20:00
1
Good point - from what I know of his actions with other employees, he probably wouldn't give me more notice than he had to. (And I didn't need the reference anyway, but he meant a full reference letter/call, not just confirmation that I worked there. I wouldn't have trusted him with that.)
– weronika
Apr 13 '12 at 4:07
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up vote
19
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In a poor economy it would be inadvisable to quit a job before you have a new one. In a US state where you work "at will" they can fire you for almost any reason. You take the risk that they will let you go the moment you tell them you are looking.
This doesn't happen very often, but what does happen is that they can start to think of you as being disloyal or only going to be around for a short period of time. They won't send you to training, or add you to the new project.
Telling them you are looking does mean that in some cases they will offer you a raise, a promotion, or a transfer. Some times that is just a delaying tactic, and then they still view you as disloyal. In the end you may delay your departure for a while but ultimately you end up leaving.
You have no requirement in the United States to tell them, and little practical reason to do so.
Most companies you interview with will avoid getting a reference from your current company, especially if you let them know your current boss is unaware you are looking.
answered Apr 11 '12 at 10:21
mhoran_psprep
40.3k463144
Great answer, thank you. You're definitely right about the possible consequences of telling them.
– weronika
Apr 13 '12 at 4:13
5
I have had the raise-offer-on-resignation happen to me (and others) and I always find that behavior shady. IMO if I was deserving of a raise it should have happened at the appropriate review time already. This is almost always just a stall tactic until they can figure out how to replace you at a more convenient time for them.
– KutuluMike
Apr 25 '12 at 17:02
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up vote
11
down vote
It isn't customary and shouldn't be expected to tell your employer that you are looking for a new job before you have one lined up. It is probably a bad idea because it can taint your image as someone who won't be around long if you don't find another opportunity and decide to stay.
That said, I can see why your boss might feel that way. As a manager it is frustrating to lose an employee who never communicated any complaints and just leaves without giving you a chance to remedy the situation.
You have to really trust your supervisor to tell them you are considering other opportunities before you have one in the bag. It sounds like you boss is a little disappointed that you didn't have that level of trust with them. However, it is somewhat of a catch-22. If you had that level of trust, you probably would be less likely to be looking for another job in the first place.
answered Apr 11 '12 at 13:00
JohnFx
3,8302233
2
It's possible that he thought I should trust him more, but he had serious reality-perception issues... (sigh). I know nobody else in our group told him in advance when they were considering leaving either, so I'm fairly sure he really was the problem.
– weronika
Apr 13 '12 at 4:01
3
As for communicating problems, I had said to him a few months earlier that the job I was actually doing should, according to the company job description/salary chart, have a different title and much higher salary than mine, and got told "Well that's definitely not happening" with a laugh. One would hope he might be able to connect at least that dot.
– weronika
Apr 13 '12 at 4:03
Maybe you should have tried being more direct.
– JohnFx
Apr 13 '12 at 4:25
Possibly, but to be honest I just wanted out at that point.
– weronika
Apr 13 '12 at 4:30
add a comment |Â
up vote
10
down vote
In the banking industry in the US, letting your boss know you are looking for another job can get you fired immediately. One bank I worked for monitored phone lines (and bathrooms) and if you were overheard to be looking for another job, the security department would have your boss and an armed guard at your desk the next morning to help you pack your things and leave. While this bank is an outlier, the doctrine of "at will employment" in the US means that giving your employer "too much notice" can result in you being fired.
In the US, 2 weeks notice is customary when resigning. It is reasonably common enough that when you give your notice that you will be immediately escorted from the premises, so that informing supervisors that you are "looking" can be very risky. It is my experience in the US that you should have all your personal possessions out of the office before giving notice.
answered Apr 11 '12 at 14:30
Tangurena
5,0401936
getting escorted from the premises definitely wasn't a possibility (in fact I was asked to stay a few weeks longer if possible, which I figured would probably happen), but you're right that even so mentioning leaving would definitely make my position worse. I wasn't sure I would be leaving until I actually had a new job lined up, so I didn't think it was a good idea to say anything earlier.
– weronika
Apr 13 '12 at 3:56
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5 Answers
5
active
oldest
votes
5 Answers
5
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
31
down vote
accepted
I suspect that this will probably be one that will vary a bit from country to country. I can only speak from my experiences in Ireland:
- No, you are under no obligation to tell your current employer that you're looking for a new job
- Yes, it would be typical to ask your current employer for a reference (though typically only once you've resigned)
Exceptions to the first rule might include situations where you're a one-person team and you don't want to leave your current employer in the lurch. However, these truly are exceptions, and not the rule. In general, giving your employer an opportunity to replace you is what a notice period is for.
answered Apr 11 '12 at 8:18
John N
2,0201818
1
I would add that while it may be "usual" to ask your current employer for a reference, it's not required. For example, I'd be hesitant to ask my current employer for a reference if our relationship is on rocky ground, as it may cause them to simply fire me before I can quit. Not giving them notice until I find a position, in that situation, increases the chances that I can leave when I'm ready, minimizing the hardship created by my not having a job.
– Shauna
Apr 11 '12 at 11:17
I would only ever ask for a reference having already resigned. Sorry, that's not at all clear in my answer - I'll update.
– John N
Apr 11 '12 at 13:08
I'd add that you should always give your employer appropriate notice (2 weeks is standard in the US, I personally feel key employees & team leaders should offer a month if practical to train up replacements).
– voretaq7
Apr 11 '12 at 23:22
5
By the time I resigned, I already had a new contract, so I didn't need the reference.
– weronika
Apr 13 '12 at 4:11
add a comment |Â
up vote
31
down vote
accepted
I suspect that this will probably be one that will vary a bit from country to country. I can only speak from my experiences in Ireland:
- No, you are under no obligation to tell your current employer that you're looking for a new job
- Yes, it would be typical to ask your current employer for a reference (though typically only once you've resigned)
Exceptions to the first rule might include situations where you're a one-person team and you don't want to leave your current employer in the lurch. However, these truly are exceptions, and not the rule. In general, giving your employer an opportunity to replace you is what a notice period is for.
answered Apr 11 '12 at 8:18
John N
2,0201818
1
I would add that while it may be "usual" to ask your current employer for a reference, it's not required. For example, I'd be hesitant to ask my current employer for a reference if our relationship is on rocky ground, as it may cause them to simply fire me before I can quit. Not giving them notice until I find a position, in that situation, increases the chances that I can leave when I'm ready, minimizing the hardship created by my not having a job.
– Shauna
Apr 11 '12 at 11:17
I would only ever ask for a reference having already resigned. Sorry, that's not at all clear in my answer - I'll update.
– John N
Apr 11 '12 at 13:08
I'd add that you should always give your employer appropriate notice (2 weeks is standard in the US, I personally feel key employees & team leaders should offer a month if practical to train up replacements).
– voretaq7
Apr 11 '12 at 23:22
5
By the time I resigned, I already had a new contract, so I didn't need the reference.
– weronika
Apr 13 '12 at 4:11
add a comment |Â
up vote
31
down vote
accepted
up vote
31
down vote
accepted
I suspect that this will probably be one that will vary a bit from country to country. I can only speak from my experiences in Ireland:
- No, you are under no obligation to tell your current employer that you're looking for a new job
- Yes, it would be typical to ask your current employer for a reference (though typically only once you've resigned)
Exceptions to the first rule might include situations where you're a one-person team and you don't want to leave your current employer in the lurch. However, these truly are exceptions, and not the rule. In general, giving your employer an opportunity to replace you is what a notice period is for.
answered Apr 11 '12 at 8:18
John N
2,0201818
I suspect that this will probably be one that will vary a bit from country to country. I can only speak from my experiences in Ireland:
- No, you are under no obligation to tell your current employer that you're looking for a new job
- Yes, it would be typical to ask your current employer for a reference (though typically only once you've resigned)
Exceptions to the first rule might include situations where you're a one-person team and you don't want to leave your current employer in the lurch. However, these truly are exceptions, and not the rule. In general, giving your employer an opportunity to replace you is what a notice period is for.
answered Apr 11 '12 at 8:18
John N
2,0201818
edited Apr 13 '12 at 7:19
answered Apr 11 '12 at 8:18
John N
2,0201818
answered Apr 11 '12 at 8:18
John N
2,0201818
answered Apr 11 '12 at 8:18
John N
2,0201818
2,0201818
1
I would add that while it may be "usual" to ask your current employer for a reference, it's not required. For example, I'd be hesitant to ask my current employer for a reference if our relationship is on rocky ground, as it may cause them to simply fire me before I can quit. Not giving them notice until I find a position, in that situation, increases the chances that I can leave when I'm ready, minimizing the hardship created by my not having a job.
– Shauna
Apr 11 '12 at 11:17
I would only ever ask for a reference having already resigned. Sorry, that's not at all clear in my answer - I'll update.
– John N
Apr 11 '12 at 13:08
I'd add that you should always give your employer appropriate notice (2 weeks is standard in the US, I personally feel key employees & team leaders should offer a month if practical to train up replacements).
– voretaq7
Apr 11 '12 at 23:22
5
By the time I resigned, I already had a new contract, so I didn't need the reference.
– weronika
Apr 13 '12 at 4:11
add a comment |Â
1
I would add that while it may be "usual" to ask your current employer for a reference, it's not required. For example, I'd be hesitant to ask my current employer for a reference if our relationship is on rocky ground, as it may cause them to simply fire me before I can quit. Not giving them notice until I find a position, in that situation, increases the chances that I can leave when I'm ready, minimizing the hardship created by my not having a job.
– Shauna
Apr 11 '12 at 11:17
I would only ever ask for a reference having already resigned. Sorry, that's not at all clear in my answer - I'll update.
– John N
Apr 11 '12 at 13:08
I'd add that you should always give your employer appropriate notice (2 weeks is standard in the US, I personally feel key employees & team leaders should offer a month if practical to train up replacements).
– voretaq7
Apr 11 '12 at 23:22
5
By the time I resigned, I already had a new contract, so I didn't need the reference.
– weronika
Apr 13 '12 at 4:11
1
1
I would add that while it may be "usual" to ask your current employer for a reference, it's not required. For example, I'd be hesitant to ask my current employer for a reference if our relationship is on rocky ground, as it may cause them to simply fire me before I can quit. Not giving them notice until I find a position, in that situation, increases the chances that I can leave when I'm ready, minimizing the hardship created by my not having a job.
– Shauna
Apr 11 '12 at 11:17
I would add that while it may be "usual" to ask your current employer for a reference, it's not required. For example, I'd be hesitant to ask my current employer for a reference if our relationship is on rocky ground, as it may cause them to simply fire me before I can quit. Not giving them notice until I find a position, in that situation, increases the chances that I can leave when I'm ready, minimizing the hardship created by my not having a job.
– Shauna
Apr 11 '12 at 11:17
I would only ever ask for a reference having already resigned. Sorry, that's not at all clear in my answer - I'll update.
– John N
Apr 11 '12 at 13:08
I would only ever ask for a reference having already resigned. Sorry, that's not at all clear in my answer - I'll update.
– John N
Apr 11 '12 at 13:08
I'd add that you should always give your employer appropriate notice (2 weeks is standard in the US, I personally feel key employees & team leaders should offer a month if practical to train up replacements).
– voretaq7
Apr 11 '12 at 23:22
I'd add that you should always give your employer appropriate notice (2 weeks is standard in the US, I personally feel key employees & team leaders should offer a month if practical to train up replacements).
– voretaq7
Apr 11 '12 at 23:22
5
5
By the time I resigned, I already had a new contract, so I didn't need the reference.
– weronika
Apr 13 '12 at 4:11
By the time I resigned, I already had a new contract, so I didn't need the reference.
– weronika
Apr 13 '12 at 4:11
add a comment |Â
up vote
30
down vote
It is not expected that you inform your boss that you are looking for a new job, and it's certainly not required.
Look at it the other way:
Would your employer give you more than the minimum legal notice if they were thinking of firing you or making you redundant?
The answer to that is probably "no".
The notice period in your contract is there to notify your employer of your intentions to leave. In some countries/industries you get escorted from the premises as soon as you hand in your notice - for all sorts of reasons. These same reasons would apply when you reveal your intentions to move and if the move didn't happen then you'd be in an infinitely worse position than you were before.
In respect of a reference - in the UK all that a previous employer has to give is confirmation of the dates you worked there. So there should be no issue of not asking for a reference.
answered Apr 11 '12 at 9:30
ChrisF
8,56423957
You need to work at better places. I have never been blind sided while working for a reputable company. Most of my onsite-managers have given me notice far more than 2 weeks when my contracts would be ending.
– IDrinkandIKnowThings
Apr 11 '12 at 13:52
4
@Chad - I'm not talking about normal end of contact stuff.
– ChrisF
Apr 11 '12 at 20:00
1
Good point - from what I know of his actions with other employees, he probably wouldn't give me more notice than he had to. (And I didn't need the reference anyway, but he meant a full reference letter/call, not just confirmation that I worked there. I wouldn't have trusted him with that.)
– weronika
Apr 13 '12 at 4:07
add a comment |Â
up vote
30
down vote
It is not expected that you inform your boss that you are looking for a new job, and it's certainly not required.
Look at it the other way:
Would your employer give you more than the minimum legal notice if they were thinking of firing you or making you redundant?
The answer to that is probably "no".
The notice period in your contract is there to notify your employer of your intentions to leave. In some countries/industries you get escorted from the premises as soon as you hand in your notice - for all sorts of reasons. These same reasons would apply when you reveal your intentions to move and if the move didn't happen then you'd be in an infinitely worse position than you were before.
In respect of a reference - in the UK all that a previous employer has to give is confirmation of the dates you worked there. So there should be no issue of not asking for a reference.
answered Apr 11 '12 at 9:30
ChrisF
8,56423957
You need to work at better places. I have never been blind sided while working for a reputable company. Most of my onsite-managers have given me notice far more than 2 weeks when my contracts would be ending.
– IDrinkandIKnowThings
Apr 11 '12 at 13:52
4
@Chad - I'm not talking about normal end of contact stuff.
– ChrisF
Apr 11 '12 at 20:00
1
Good point - from what I know of his actions with other employees, he probably wouldn't give me more notice than he had to. (And I didn't need the reference anyway, but he meant a full reference letter/call, not just confirmation that I worked there. I wouldn't have trusted him with that.)
– weronika
Apr 13 '12 at 4:07
add a comment |Â
up vote
30
down vote
up vote
30
down vote
It is not expected that you inform your boss that you are looking for a new job, and it's certainly not required.
Look at it the other way:
Would your employer give you more than the minimum legal notice if they were thinking of firing you or making you redundant?
The answer to that is probably "no".
The notice period in your contract is there to notify your employer of your intentions to leave. In some countries/industries you get escorted from the premises as soon as you hand in your notice - for all sorts of reasons. These same reasons would apply when you reveal your intentions to move and if the move didn't happen then you'd be in an infinitely worse position than you were before.
In respect of a reference - in the UK all that a previous employer has to give is confirmation of the dates you worked there. So there should be no issue of not asking for a reference.
answered Apr 11 '12 at 9:30
ChrisF
8,56423957
It is not expected that you inform your boss that you are looking for a new job, and it's certainly not required.
Look at it the other way:
Would your employer give you more than the minimum legal notice if they were thinking of firing you or making you redundant?
The answer to that is probably "no".
The notice period in your contract is there to notify your employer of your intentions to leave. In some countries/industries you get escorted from the premises as soon as you hand in your notice - for all sorts of reasons. These same reasons would apply when you reveal your intentions to move and if the move didn't happen then you'd be in an infinitely worse position than you were before.
In respect of a reference - in the UK all that a previous employer has to give is confirmation of the dates you worked there. So there should be no issue of not asking for a reference.
answered Apr 11 '12 at 9:30
ChrisF
8,56423957
edited Aug 10 '16 at 14:15
answered Apr 11 '12 at 9:30
ChrisF
8,56423957
answered Apr 11 '12 at 9:30
ChrisF
8,56423957
answered Apr 11 '12 at 9:30
ChrisF
8,56423957
8,56423957
You need to work at better places. I have never been blind sided while working for a reputable company. Most of my onsite-managers have given me notice far more than 2 weeks when my contracts would be ending.
– IDrinkandIKnowThings
Apr 11 '12 at 13:52
4
@Chad - I'm not talking about normal end of contact stuff.
– ChrisF
Apr 11 '12 at 20:00
1
Good point - from what I know of his actions with other employees, he probably wouldn't give me more notice than he had to. (And I didn't need the reference anyway, but he meant a full reference letter/call, not just confirmation that I worked there. I wouldn't have trusted him with that.)
– weronika
Apr 13 '12 at 4:07
add a comment |Â
You need to work at better places. I have never been blind sided while working for a reputable company. Most of my onsite-managers have given me notice far more than 2 weeks when my contracts would be ending.
– IDrinkandIKnowThings
Apr 11 '12 at 13:52
4
@Chad - I'm not talking about normal end of contact stuff.
– ChrisF
Apr 11 '12 at 20:00
1
Good point - from what I know of his actions with other employees, he probably wouldn't give me more notice than he had to. (And I didn't need the reference anyway, but he meant a full reference letter/call, not just confirmation that I worked there. I wouldn't have trusted him with that.)
– weronika
Apr 13 '12 at 4:07
You need to work at better places. I have never been blind sided while working for a reputable company. Most of my onsite-managers have given me notice far more than 2 weeks when my contracts would be ending.
– IDrinkandIKnowThings
Apr 11 '12 at 13:52
You need to work at better places. I have never been blind sided while working for a reputable company. Most of my onsite-managers have given me notice far more than 2 weeks when my contracts would be ending.
– IDrinkandIKnowThings
Apr 11 '12 at 13:52
4
4
@Chad - I'm not talking about normal end of contact stuff.
– ChrisF
Apr 11 '12 at 20:00
@Chad - I'm not talking about normal end of contact stuff.
– ChrisF
Apr 11 '12 at 20:00
1
1
Good point - from what I know of his actions with other employees, he probably wouldn't give me more notice than he had to. (And I didn't need the reference anyway, but he meant a full reference letter/call, not just confirmation that I worked there. I wouldn't have trusted him with that.)
– weronika
Apr 13 '12 at 4:07
Good point - from what I know of his actions with other employees, he probably wouldn't give me more notice than he had to. (And I didn't need the reference anyway, but he meant a full reference letter/call, not just confirmation that I worked there. I wouldn't have trusted him with that.)
– weronika
Apr 13 '12 at 4:07
add a comment |Â
up vote
19
down vote
In a poor economy it would be inadvisable to quit a job before you have a new one. In a US state where you work "at will" they can fire you for almost any reason. You take the risk that they will let you go the moment you tell them you are looking.
This doesn't happen very often, but what does happen is that they can start to think of you as being disloyal or only going to be around for a short period of time. They won't send you to training, or add you to the new project.
Telling them you are looking does mean that in some cases they will offer you a raise, a promotion, or a transfer. Some times that is just a delaying tactic, and then they still view you as disloyal. In the end you may delay your departure for a while but ultimately you end up leaving.
You have no requirement in the United States to tell them, and little practical reason to do so.
Most companies you interview with will avoid getting a reference from your current company, especially if you let them know your current boss is unaware you are looking.
answered Apr 11 '12 at 10:21
mhoran_psprep
40.3k463144
Great answer, thank you. You're definitely right about the possible consequences of telling them.
– weronika
Apr 13 '12 at 4:13
5
I have had the raise-offer-on-resignation happen to me (and others) and I always find that behavior shady. IMO if I was deserving of a raise it should have happened at the appropriate review time already. This is almost always just a stall tactic until they can figure out how to replace you at a more convenient time for them.
– KutuluMike
Apr 25 '12 at 17:02
add a comment |Â
up vote
19
down vote
In a poor economy it would be inadvisable to quit a job before you have a new one. In a US state where you work "at will" they can fire you for almost any reason. You take the risk that they will let you go the moment you tell them you are looking.
This doesn't happen very often, but what does happen is that they can start to think of you as being disloyal or only going to be around for a short period of time. They won't send you to training, or add you to the new project.
Telling them you are looking does mean that in some cases they will offer you a raise, a promotion, or a transfer. Some times that is just a delaying tactic, and then they still view you as disloyal. In the end you may delay your departure for a while but ultimately you end up leaving.
You have no requirement in the United States to tell them, and little practical reason to do so.
Most companies you interview with will avoid getting a reference from your current company, especially if you let them know your current boss is unaware you are looking.
answered Apr 11 '12 at 10:21
mhoran_psprep
40.3k463144
Great answer, thank you. You're definitely right about the possible consequences of telling them.
– weronika
Apr 13 '12 at 4:13
5
I have had the raise-offer-on-resignation happen to me (and others) and I always find that behavior shady. IMO if I was deserving of a raise it should have happened at the appropriate review time already. This is almost always just a stall tactic until they can figure out how to replace you at a more convenient time for them.
– KutuluMike
Apr 25 '12 at 17:02
add a comment |Â
up vote
19
down vote
up vote
19
down vote
In a poor economy it would be inadvisable to quit a job before you have a new one. In a US state where you work "at will" they can fire you for almost any reason. You take the risk that they will let you go the moment you tell them you are looking.
This doesn't happen very often, but what does happen is that they can start to think of you as being disloyal or only going to be around for a short period of time. They won't send you to training, or add you to the new project.
Telling them you are looking does mean that in some cases they will offer you a raise, a promotion, or a transfer. Some times that is just a delaying tactic, and then they still view you as disloyal. In the end you may delay your departure for a while but ultimately you end up leaving.
You have no requirement in the United States to tell them, and little practical reason to do so.
Most companies you interview with will avoid getting a reference from your current company, especially if you let them know your current boss is unaware you are looking.
answered Apr 11 '12 at 10:21
mhoran_psprep
40.3k463144
In a poor economy it would be inadvisable to quit a job before you have a new one. In a US state where you work "at will" they can fire you for almost any reason. You take the risk that they will let you go the moment you tell them you are looking.
This doesn't happen very often, but what does happen is that they can start to think of you as being disloyal or only going to be around for a short period of time. They won't send you to training, or add you to the new project.
Telling them you are looking does mean that in some cases they will offer you a raise, a promotion, or a transfer. Some times that is just a delaying tactic, and then they still view you as disloyal. In the end you may delay your departure for a while but ultimately you end up leaving.
You have no requirement in the United States to tell them, and little practical reason to do so.
Most companies you interview with will avoid getting a reference from your current company, especially if you let them know your current boss is unaware you are looking.
answered Apr 11 '12 at 10:21
mhoran_psprep
40.3k463144
answered Apr 11 '12 at 10:21
mhoran_psprep
40.3k463144
answered Apr 11 '12 at 10:21
mhoran_psprep
40.3k463144
answered Apr 11 '12 at 10:21
mhoran_psprep
40.3k463144
40.3k463144
Great answer, thank you. You're definitely right about the possible consequences of telling them.
– weronika
Apr 13 '12 at 4:13
5
I have had the raise-offer-on-resignation happen to me (and others) and I always find that behavior shady. IMO if I was deserving of a raise it should have happened at the appropriate review time already. This is almost always just a stall tactic until they can figure out how to replace you at a more convenient time for them.
– KutuluMike
Apr 25 '12 at 17:02
add a comment |Â
Great answer, thank you. You're definitely right about the possible consequences of telling them.
– weronika
Apr 13 '12 at 4:13
5
I have had the raise-offer-on-resignation happen to me (and others) and I always find that behavior shady. IMO if I was deserving of a raise it should have happened at the appropriate review time already. This is almost always just a stall tactic until they can figure out how to replace you at a more convenient time for them.
– KutuluMike
Apr 25 '12 at 17:02
Great answer, thank you. You're definitely right about the possible consequences of telling them.
– weronika
Apr 13 '12 at 4:13
Great answer, thank you. You're definitely right about the possible consequences of telling them.
– weronika
Apr 13 '12 at 4:13
5
5
I have had the raise-offer-on-resignation happen to me (and others) and I always find that behavior shady. IMO if I was deserving of a raise it should have happened at the appropriate review time already. This is almost always just a stall tactic until they can figure out how to replace you at a more convenient time for them.
– KutuluMike
Apr 25 '12 at 17:02
I have had the raise-offer-on-resignation happen to me (and others) and I always find that behavior shady. IMO if I was deserving of a raise it should have happened at the appropriate review time already. This is almost always just a stall tactic until they can figure out how to replace you at a more convenient time for them.
– KutuluMike
Apr 25 '12 at 17:02
add a comment |Â
up vote
11
down vote
It isn't customary and shouldn't be expected to tell your employer that you are looking for a new job before you have one lined up. It is probably a bad idea because it can taint your image as someone who won't be around long if you don't find another opportunity and decide to stay.
That said, I can see why your boss might feel that way. As a manager it is frustrating to lose an employee who never communicated any complaints and just leaves without giving you a chance to remedy the situation.
You have to really trust your supervisor to tell them you are considering other opportunities before you have one in the bag. It sounds like you boss is a little disappointed that you didn't have that level of trust with them. However, it is somewhat of a catch-22. If you had that level of trust, you probably would be less likely to be looking for another job in the first place.
answered Apr 11 '12 at 13:00
JohnFx
3,8302233
2
It's possible that he thought I should trust him more, but he had serious reality-perception issues... (sigh). I know nobody else in our group told him in advance when they were considering leaving either, so I'm fairly sure he really was the problem.
– weronika
Apr 13 '12 at 4:01
3
As for communicating problems, I had said to him a few months earlier that the job I was actually doing should, according to the company job description/salary chart, have a different title and much higher salary than mine, and got told "Well that's definitely not happening" with a laugh. One would hope he might be able to connect at least that dot.
– weronika
Apr 13 '12 at 4:03
Maybe you should have tried being more direct.
– JohnFx
Apr 13 '12 at 4:25
Possibly, but to be honest I just wanted out at that point.
– weronika
Apr 13 '12 at 4:30
add a comment |Â
up vote
11
down vote
It isn't customary and shouldn't be expected to tell your employer that you are looking for a new job before you have one lined up. It is probably a bad idea because it can taint your image as someone who won't be around long if you don't find another opportunity and decide to stay.
That said, I can see why your boss might feel that way. As a manager it is frustrating to lose an employee who never communicated any complaints and just leaves without giving you a chance to remedy the situation.
You have to really trust your supervisor to tell them you are considering other opportunities before you have one in the bag. It sounds like you boss is a little disappointed that you didn't have that level of trust with them. However, it is somewhat of a catch-22. If you had that level of trust, you probably would be less likely to be looking for another job in the first place.
answered Apr 11 '12 at 13:00
JohnFx
3,8302233
2
It's possible that he thought I should trust him more, but he had serious reality-perception issues... (sigh). I know nobody else in our group told him in advance when they were considering leaving either, so I'm fairly sure he really was the problem.
– weronika
Apr 13 '12 at 4:01
3
As for communicating problems, I had said to him a few months earlier that the job I was actually doing should, according to the company job description/salary chart, have a different title and much higher salary than mine, and got told "Well that's definitely not happening" with a laugh. One would hope he might be able to connect at least that dot.
– weronika
Apr 13 '12 at 4:03
Maybe you should have tried being more direct.
– JohnFx
Apr 13 '12 at 4:25
Possibly, but to be honest I just wanted out at that point.
– weronika
Apr 13 '12 at 4:30
add a comment |Â
up vote
11
down vote
up vote
11
down vote
It isn't customary and shouldn't be expected to tell your employer that you are looking for a new job before you have one lined up. It is probably a bad idea because it can taint your image as someone who won't be around long if you don't find another opportunity and decide to stay.
That said, I can see why your boss might feel that way. As a manager it is frustrating to lose an employee who never communicated any complaints and just leaves without giving you a chance to remedy the situation.
You have to really trust your supervisor to tell them you are considering other opportunities before you have one in the bag. It sounds like you boss is a little disappointed that you didn't have that level of trust with them. However, it is somewhat of a catch-22. If you had that level of trust, you probably would be less likely to be looking for another job in the first place.
answered Apr 11 '12 at 13:00
JohnFx
3,8302233
It isn't customary and shouldn't be expected to tell your employer that you are looking for a new job before you have one lined up. It is probably a bad idea because it can taint your image as someone who won't be around long if you don't find another opportunity and decide to stay.
That said, I can see why your boss might feel that way. As a manager it is frustrating to lose an employee who never communicated any complaints and just leaves without giving you a chance to remedy the situation.
You have to really trust your supervisor to tell them you are considering other opportunities before you have one in the bag. It sounds like you boss is a little disappointed that you didn't have that level of trust with them. However, it is somewhat of a catch-22. If you had that level of trust, you probably would be less likely to be looking for another job in the first place.
answered Apr 11 '12 at 13:00
JohnFx
3,8302233
answered Apr 11 '12 at 13:00
JohnFx
3,8302233
answered Apr 11 '12 at 13:00
JohnFx
3,8302233
answered Apr 11 '12 at 13:00
JohnFx
3,8302233
3,8302233
2
It's possible that he thought I should trust him more, but he had serious reality-perception issues... (sigh). I know nobody else in our group told him in advance when they were considering leaving either, so I'm fairly sure he really was the problem.
– weronika
Apr 13 '12 at 4:01
3
As for communicating problems, I had said to him a few months earlier that the job I was actually doing should, according to the company job description/salary chart, have a different title and much higher salary than mine, and got told "Well that's definitely not happening" with a laugh. One would hope he might be able to connect at least that dot.
– weronika
Apr 13 '12 at 4:03
Maybe you should have tried being more direct.
– JohnFx
Apr 13 '12 at 4:25
Possibly, but to be honest I just wanted out at that point.
– weronika
Apr 13 '12 at 4:30
add a comment |Â
2
It's possible that he thought I should trust him more, but he had serious reality-perception issues... (sigh). I know nobody else in our group told him in advance when they were considering leaving either, so I'm fairly sure he really was the problem.
– weronika
Apr 13 '12 at 4:01
3
As for communicating problems, I had said to him a few months earlier that the job I was actually doing should, according to the company job description/salary chart, have a different title and much higher salary than mine, and got told "Well that's definitely not happening" with a laugh. One would hope he might be able to connect at least that dot.
– weronika
Apr 13 '12 at 4:03
Maybe you should have tried being more direct.
– JohnFx
Apr 13 '12 at 4:25
Possibly, but to be honest I just wanted out at that point.
– weronika
Apr 13 '12 at 4:30
2
2
It's possible that he thought I should trust him more, but he had serious reality-perception issues... (sigh). I know nobody else in our group told him in advance when they were considering leaving either, so I'm fairly sure he really was the problem.
– weronika
Apr 13 '12 at 4:01
It's possible that he thought I should trust him more, but he had serious reality-perception issues... (sigh). I know nobody else in our group told him in advance when they were considering leaving either, so I'm fairly sure he really was the problem.
– weronika
Apr 13 '12 at 4:01
3
3
As for communicating problems, I had said to him a few months earlier that the job I was actually doing should, according to the company job description/salary chart, have a different title and much higher salary than mine, and got told "Well that's definitely not happening" with a laugh. One would hope he might be able to connect at least that dot.
– weronika
Apr 13 '12 at 4:03
As for communicating problems, I had said to him a few months earlier that the job I was actually doing should, according to the company job description/salary chart, have a different title and much higher salary than mine, and got told "Well that's definitely not happening" with a laugh. One would hope he might be able to connect at least that dot.
– weronika
Apr 13 '12 at 4:03
Maybe you should have tried being more direct.
– JohnFx
Apr 13 '12 at 4:25
Maybe you should have tried being more direct.
– JohnFx
Apr 13 '12 at 4:25
Possibly, but to be honest I just wanted out at that point.
– weronika
Apr 13 '12 at 4:30
Possibly, but to be honest I just wanted out at that point.
– weronika
Apr 13 '12 at 4:30
add a comment |Â
up vote
10
down vote
In the banking industry in the US, letting your boss know you are looking for another job can get you fired immediately. One bank I worked for monitored phone lines (and bathrooms) and if you were overheard to be looking for another job, the security department would have your boss and an armed guard at your desk the next morning to help you pack your things and leave. While this bank is an outlier, the doctrine of "at will employment" in the US means that giving your employer "too much notice" can result in you being fired.
In the US, 2 weeks notice is customary when resigning. It is reasonably common enough that when you give your notice that you will be immediately escorted from the premises, so that informing supervisors that you are "looking" can be very risky. It is my experience in the US that you should have all your personal possessions out of the office before giving notice.
answered Apr 11 '12 at 14:30
Tangurena
5,0401936
getting escorted from the premises definitely wasn't a possibility (in fact I was asked to stay a few weeks longer if possible, which I figured would probably happen), but you're right that even so mentioning leaving would definitely make my position worse. I wasn't sure I would be leaving until I actually had a new job lined up, so I didn't think it was a good idea to say anything earlier.
– weronika
Apr 13 '12 at 3:56
add a comment |Â
up vote
10
down vote
In the banking industry in the US, letting your boss know you are looking for another job can get you fired immediately. One bank I worked for monitored phone lines (and bathrooms) and if you were overheard to be looking for another job, the security department would have your boss and an armed guard at your desk the next morning to help you pack your things and leave. While this bank is an outlier, the doctrine of "at will employment" in the US means that giving your employer "too much notice" can result in you being fired.
In the US, 2 weeks notice is customary when resigning. It is reasonably common enough that when you give your notice that you will be immediately escorted from the premises, so that informing supervisors that you are "looking" can be very risky. It is my experience in the US that you should have all your personal possessions out of the office before giving notice.
answered Apr 11 '12 at 14:30
Tangurena
5,0401936
getting escorted from the premises definitely wasn't a possibility (in fact I was asked to stay a few weeks longer if possible, which I figured would probably happen), but you're right that even so mentioning leaving would definitely make my position worse. I wasn't sure I would be leaving until I actually had a new job lined up, so I didn't think it was a good idea to say anything earlier.
– weronika
Apr 13 '12 at 3:56
add a comment |Â
up vote
10
down vote
up vote
10
down vote
In the banking industry in the US, letting your boss know you are looking for another job can get you fired immediately. One bank I worked for monitored phone lines (and bathrooms) and if you were overheard to be looking for another job, the security department would have your boss and an armed guard at your desk the next morning to help you pack your things and leave. While this bank is an outlier, the doctrine of "at will employment" in the US means that giving your employer "too much notice" can result in you being fired.
In the US, 2 weeks notice is customary when resigning. It is reasonably common enough that when you give your notice that you will be immediately escorted from the premises, so that informing supervisors that you are "looking" can be very risky. It is my experience in the US that you should have all your personal possessions out of the office before giving notice.
answered Apr 11 '12 at 14:30
Tangurena
5,0401936
In the banking industry in the US, letting your boss know you are looking for another job can get you fired immediately. One bank I worked for monitored phone lines (and bathrooms) and if you were overheard to be looking for another job, the security department would have your boss and an armed guard at your desk the next morning to help you pack your things and leave. While this bank is an outlier, the doctrine of "at will employment" in the US means that giving your employer "too much notice" can result in you being fired.
In the US, 2 weeks notice is customary when resigning. It is reasonably common enough that when you give your notice that you will be immediately escorted from the premises, so that informing supervisors that you are "looking" can be very risky. It is my experience in the US that you should have all your personal possessions out of the office before giving notice.
answered Apr 11 '12 at 14:30
Tangurena
5,0401936
answered Apr 11 '12 at 14:30
Tangurena
5,0401936
answered Apr 11 '12 at 14:30
Tangurena
5,0401936
answered Apr 11 '12 at 14:30
Tangurena
5,0401936
5,0401936
getting escorted from the premises definitely wasn't a possibility (in fact I was asked to stay a few weeks longer if possible, which I figured would probably happen), but you're right that even so mentioning leaving would definitely make my position worse. I wasn't sure I would be leaving until I actually had a new job lined up, so I didn't think it was a good idea to say anything earlier.
– weronika
Apr 13 '12 at 3:56
add a comment |Â
getting escorted from the premises definitely wasn't a possibility (in fact I was asked to stay a few weeks longer if possible, which I figured would probably happen), but you're right that even so mentioning leaving would definitely make my position worse. I wasn't sure I would be leaving until I actually had a new job lined up, so I didn't think it was a good idea to say anything earlier.
– weronika
Apr 13 '12 at 3:56
getting escorted from the premises definitely wasn't a possibility (in fact I was asked to stay a few weeks longer if possible, which I figured would probably happen), but you're right that even so mentioning leaving would definitely make my position worse. I wasn't sure I would be leaving until I actually had a new job lined up, so I didn't think it was a good idea to say anything earlier.
– weronika
Apr 13 '12 at 3:56
getting escorted from the premises definitely wasn't a possibility (in fact I was asked to stay a few weeks longer if possible, which I figured would probably happen), but you're right that even so mentioning leaving would definitely make my position worse. I wasn't sure I would be leaving until I actually had a new job lined up, so I didn't think it was a good idea to say anything earlier.
– weronika
Apr 13 '12 at 3:56
add a comment |Â
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33
IMO, A boss that is "insulted" because an employee wants to change jobs doesn't understand the employer/employee relationship very well. I have had bosses complain that I didn't "give them a chance to give me a raise" before switching jobs; implying that my work somehow became more valuable after I resigned than it was when I worked there. Your former boss will just have to get over it.
– KutuluMike
Apr 25 '12 at 16:57