I resigned from my job today

[Koing]

Originally posted by: Tiamat
you did very well. Its rare that you can time it like that. Just be somewhat vague "Opportunity came last minute and you just couldnt refuse it - it will bring new life to/jumpstart your career etc."

Yes I was definately being vague on that part.

Koing

 

[judasmachine]

Originally posted by: IHAVEAQUESTION
I don't think you handle it well. The company has basically given you everything you asked for. Big raise and 3 weeks off. Ok, the job isn't challenging enough but that's what the promotion is for. Once you get promoted, you get more responsibility and hopefully more challenging job.

when i get promoted, i hope for less challenging work.

/works for himself, so he gets all the raises he asks for...

 

[Koing]

Originally posted by: Maximus96
is it typical across the pond to give 4 week notices? on the other hand do they give you a 4 week notice if they decide to fire you?

Yes very typical in England to give 4 weeks notice.

For the record they WON'T BE HIRING anyone to replace me. They'll just get one of the other guys to do it. Also I was already training this other guy to cover my 3 weeks of holiday. He should be up to speed.

Originally posted by: spidey07
you called in while on vacation?

oh well, just remember that it's a small industry and everybody knows everybody. That will follow you around.

oh well, good luck.

I got the job offer when I was on holiday.

I know I've done good work for the boss and the company and the boss said so on the convosation we had. I'm moving away from the industry I was in and on to the Finance sector.

Koing

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

WOW...you people amaze me!

He has every right to move on, but giving his notice WHILE ON VACATION OVER THE PHONE is a really poor thing to do.

 

[DrPizza]

You should have driven in to give your notice and reasons in person.

4 weeks really isn't that unusual in the states. I'm obligated by contract to give 1 month's notice.

I didn't realize that pto had to be paid if someone resigned from their job, "by law". Any links?? I've seen several cases where it's paid at 50% or other rates at the conclusions of someone's employment. And, I've seen cases where it isn't paid at all. i.e. employee with 2 weeks of vacation who leaves 6 months into the year with both weeks on the books doesn't receive anything.

 

[DaShen]

Originally posted by: warbean
well played sir

 

[2Dead]

you did alright Konig. Sure, maybe you should have handing in your resignation in person but other than that you're A OK. As for referencing current jobs, one of my colleagues in my previous group had used our then manager as a reference. She (manager) received a call and spoke highly of my colleague and she (colleague) did get the job. Its not like my manager wanted to get rid of the her either, they were both friends for years. Same thing happened with another guy. My manager said "screw the company, I want what's best for you and for you to do what you will be happiest doing." She told me that as i was leaving the group but only moving inside the company. The thing is, the job kinda sucked but the people in the group made it worth it. I still work with my old manager and we lunch like 3 times a week. I'm not sure if your relationship with your boss was similar but that has been my experience.

 

[wyvrn]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: Ranger X
Koing, you did the right thing.

The company that you work for will lay you off without a warning so I don't see why you should be obligated to tell them anything. Companies should be prepared for attrition and if your departure is a show stopper then your company has more problems than you leaving. Move around while you're still young and never settle with just one company! Remember, your job is to look out for yourself and only yourself.

What you're forgetting is your name and reputation are more important than anything.

And moving around sends a HUGE RED FLAG, no matter who you are. It's the first job, so no big deal. But I've reviewed resumes and job hopping and not staying around for more than 3 years means "toss it". "man, I really like this guy...but he's a jumper. toss it"

I have to disagree. I used to live by a similar rule (but mine was 2 years). However, companies themselves have changed the rules of the game. For instance, at my current position, I have had 3 Director changes in 8 months. The company simply cannot stick with one plan, they want to change it around and then end up laying off employees after a very short period of time. I think if companies want to do this, employees should at least have the same right and expectation that jobs aren't long term anymore, at least not for most people.

The way corporate america is going, it's gonna be a free for all. I see MUCH more movement than I have in the past, both by restructering/layoffs and employees quitting after 1 year. Personally I would rather stay at a place for longer for stability reasons, but sometimes employers themselves make that next to impossible.

And while it's standard for employees to give at least 2 weeks notice to their employers, most companies walk people out the same day (or hour) that they let people go. And they don't always give a severance package either. I don't see either management or employees having loyalty nowadays.

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: DrPizza
You should have driven in to give your notice and reasons in person.

4 weeks really isn't that unusual in the states. I'm obligated by contract to give 1 month's notice.

I didn't realize that pto had to be paid if someone resigned from their job, "by law". Any links?? I've seen several cases where it's paid at 50% or other rates at the conclusions of someone's employment. And, I've seen cases where it isn't paid at all. i.e. employee with 2 weeks of vacation who leaves 6 months into the year with both weeks on the books doesn't receive anything.

When you earn (as in your example) 2 weeks per year of paid vacation, if you leave before the year is up, (depending on state law or bargaining agreement) you MIGHT be entitled to one week at 6 months, or none at all. Most places break it down and pro-rate it by the month, so that if you leave early, you'll get 6.67 hrs/month of vacation pay.
The federal law does NOT require vacation /other paid time-off to be paid at all, let alone at termination, so it MAY be covered by state law.
From the US DOL site:

"The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) does not require payment for time not worked, such as vacations, sick leave or federal or other holidays. These benefits are matters of agreement between an employer and an employee (or the employee's representative)."

In Kahleeforneeya, the labor code states:

"There is no legal requirement in California that an employer provide its employees with either paid or unpaid vacation time. However, if an employer does have an established policy, practice, or agreement to provide paid vacation, then certain restrictions are placed on the employer as to how it fulfills its obligation to provide vacation pay. Under California law, earned vacation time is considered wages, and vacation time is earned, or vests, as labor is performed. For example, if an employee is entitled to two weeks (10 work days) of vacation per year, after six months of work he or she will have earned five days of vacation. Vacation pay accrues (adds up) as it is earned, and cannot be forfeited, even upon termination of employment, regardless of the reason for the termination. (Suastez v. Plastic Dress Up (1982) 31 C3d 774) An employer can place a reasonable cap on vacation benefits that prevents an employee from earning vacation over a certain amount of hours. (Boothby v. Atlas Mechanical (1992) 6 Cal.App.4th 1595) And, unless otherwise stipulated by a collective bargaining agreement, upon termination of employment all earned and unused vacation must be paid to the employee at his or her final rate of pay. Labor Code Section 227.3 The Califonia Legislature, in order to ensure that vacation plans were fairly and equitably handled, provided that the Labor Commissioner was to "apply the principles of equity and fairness" in resolving vacation claims.

In California, because paid vacation is a form of wages, it is earned as labor is performed. An employer?s vacation plan may provide for the earning of vacation benefits on a day-by-day, by the week, by the pay period, or some other period basis. For example, an employer?s policy may provide that an employee will earn a proportionate share of his or her annual vacation entitlement for each week of a calendar year in which the employee either works at least one full day or receives at least one full days? pay during such week. Thus, for example, if an employee is entitled to two weeks (10 work days) annual vacation, and works full-time, eight hours per day, 40 hours per week, in the above example for each week the employee works at least one full day, he or she will earn 1.538 hours of paid vacation."

 

[ITJunkie]

Originally posted by: McGyver
where's my stapler?

"Uummm...yeaaahh...we're gonna need to move you downstairs"

 

[purbeast0]

Congrats on the new opportunnity. I'm actually in the midst of searching for a new job as well. I've been looking for about 2 months or so, but right now I'm on 2 very strong leads. I'm doing 3rd round interviews this week actually (1 in person, and 1 on the phone) and so far both companies really like me. I may be offered between 15K - 20K more at these other places, and you can bet your damn ass I'm going to take one if I get it.

I think my manager thinks I'm happy currently, but I'm not. I am sick of the way he managers (micromanages) and he takes forever to get back to me on stuff. I feel like I'm not buildilng my skills at all at this job. On top of that, I'm sick of driving 22 miles one way to work each day, especially with these gas prices. Also the $$ just isn't cutting it for me right now as I am looking to possibly purchase a condo w/my girlfriend.

It's just a bunch of little things added up, and so far I don't think he has a clue. It will suck for them if I leave because they really will be screwed somewhat. I am the only person doing the side package that I'm working on at work. We are kind of mid cycle, but I haven't started the actual development. I'm writing up the task documents before the implementation starts. I figure that if I get another offer, I'll letl them know I am leaving and finish up the documentation before I leave so that it can easily be passed onto someone else.

 

[Vegitto]

Good job. The only person you owe loyalty to is yourself and your immediate family. Seeing how your boss isn't immediate family, fsck him/her.

 

[Koing]

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
WOW...you people amaze me!

He has every right to move on, but giving his notice WHILE ON VACATION OVER THE PHONE is a really poor thing to do.

When I mean 'vacation' I don't mean I'm actually on holiday. I'm working a 2nd job (kids summer camp). So was I suppose to wait until I got back but having recieved the offer from the other company when I was on holiday? I'd then have to work 2 further weeks and the new company wanted an answer.

I spoke to my friends father who is the Manager of the IT department at a big Oil company, and I am just required to give 4 weeks notice. Accrued holiday 'can' be used as part of the 4 weeks notice period. He says to hell with whatever they want me to do. I have given my 4 weeks notice and they can't expect me to work a further 2 weeks past my 4 weeks period.

I called up HR at the new company and explained things to her. I found out today that on the 4th September the new graduates do their training at the new company. She was fine with me not being able to do it this time around, just that I would do it next time around. I'll speak to my boss on the 21st August and see what he says along with HR and where I stand. But my friends father says to basically stand steady and don't give in to them asking me to work 4 actual working weeks notice, as I have given them 4 weeks notice. I'll ask to see if I can finish my last day on the Friday, instead of the Monday. I have half a day left on holiday and I can make up the half day during the week. I've worked a fair a mount of overtime in the past 4 weeks without any pay also.

Oh well it is all done and I am ready to move on :thumbsup:

Thanks for all the feedback and views and I hope I do it better next time around.

Koing

 

[Koing]

Originally posted by: BoomerD

Originally posted by: DrPizza
You should have driven in to give your notice and reasons in person.

4 weeks really isn't that unusual in the states. I'm obligated by contract to give 1 month's notice.

I didn't realize that pto had to be paid if someone resigned from their job, "by law". Any links?? I've seen several cases where it's paid at 50% or other rates at the conclusions of someone's employment. And, I've seen cases where it isn't paid at all. i.e. employee with 2 weeks of vacation who leaves 6 months into the year with both weeks on the books doesn't receive anything.

When you earn (as in your example) 2 weeks per year of paid vacation, if you leave before the year is up, (depending on state law or bargaining agreement) you MIGHT be entitled to one week at 6 months, or none at all. Most places break it down and pro-rate it by the month, so that if you leave early, you'll get 6.67 hrs/month of vacation pay.
The federal law does NOT require vacation /other paid time-off to be paid at all, let alone at termination, so it MAY be covered by state law.
From the US DOL site:

"The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) does not require payment for time not worked, such as vacations, sick leave or federal or other holidays. These benefits are matters of agreement between an employer and an employee (or the employee's representative)."

In Kahleeforneeya, the labor code states:

"There is no legal requirement in California that an employer provide its employees with either paid or unpaid vacation time. However, if an employer does have an established policy, practice, or agreement to provide paid vacation, then certain restrictions are placed on the employer as to how it fulfills its obligation to provide vacation pay. Under California law, earned vacation time is considered wages, and vacation time is earned, or vests, as labor is performed. For example, if an employee is entitled to two weeks (10 work days) of vacation per year, after six months of work he or she will have earned five days of vacation. Vacation pay accrues (adds up) as it is earned, and cannot be forfeited, even upon termination of employment, regardless of the reason for the termination. (Suastez v. Plastic Dress Up (1982) 31 C3d 774) An employer can place a reasonable cap on vacation benefits that prevents an employee from earning vacation over a certain amount of hours. (Boothby v. Atlas Mechanical (1992) 6 Cal.App.4th 1595) And, unless otherwise stipulated by a collective bargaining agreement, upon termination of employment all earned and unused vacation must be paid to the employee at his or her final rate of pay. Labor Code Section 227.3 The Califonia Legislature, in order to ensure that vacation plans were fairly and equitably handled, provided that the Labor Commissioner was to "apply the principles of equity and fairness" in resolving vacation claims.

In California, because paid vacation is a form of wages, it is earned as labor is performed. An employer?s vacation plan may provide for the earning of vacation benefits on a day-by-day, by the week, by the pay period, or some other period basis. For example, an employer?s policy may provide that an employee will earn a proportionate share of his or her annual vacation entitlement for each week of a calendar year in which the employee either works at least one full day or receives at least one full days? pay during such week. Thus, for example, if an employee is entitled to two weeks (10 work days) annual vacation, and works full-time, eight hours per day, 40 hours per week, in the above example for each week the employee works at least one full day, he or she will earn 1.538 hours of paid vacation."

In England the company has to pay for your accrued holiday that you haven't used and you can use it towards your notice period also.

Koing

 

[Riverhound777]

Hmmm this topic interests me. I'm not very far along in looking for my second job myself. In fact I have 7 months left on my lease, so I really shouldn't be looking yet. I actually enjoy my current job and the only reason I want to move is because of money and location. I hate the area I live in and the pay is crap(with no raise in sight), so I want to move.

I found a really nice job today doing pretty much the exact thing i'm doing now but for 15k+ more and in a much nicer area(by the beach). I've only been with my current job for a year though and they say 3 years on the job posting, is that too much of a problem? I have a degree and previous experience while in school, but the year is at my current job where i've learned pretty much everything.

Should I persue this new job, or just lay back and wait till a few months before my lease is up? My plan right now is to just send them my resume anyway and explain my situation, maybe down the road they will offer me a job, couldn't hurt, right?

 

[Koing]

I think they are listing the job because they wanted the position filled now, not a few months down the road. But I could be way off base on it though.

Forget the 3yrs thing and take the job. This is your first real job out of graduating and the best times to move are now. You said you had no pay rise in sight also which is not a promising thing. But are you learning things in your current position? You also have the lease to think about. I was not learning anything which bothered me.

Koing

 

[EyeMWing]

"How long had you been looking for another job!?!?"
"About 45 seconds."

 

[Riverhound777]

Originally posted by: Koing
I think they are listing the job because they wanted the position filled now, not a few months down the road. But I could be way off base on it though.

Forget the 3yrs thing and take the job. This is your first real job out of graduating and the best times to move are now. You said you had no pay rise in sight also which is not a promising thing. But are you learning things in your current position? You also have the lease to think about. I was not learning anything which bothered me.

Koing

Well the reason I want to send my resume to them anyway is in case they really like me and I like them, perhaps they will make me an offer I can't refuse I could always find someone else to take over my part of the lease(i'm only paying $300/month for a room in a really nice 5 bedroom house in a gated community in a town with a college, shouldn't be hard).

Yes I am still learning a lot at my current job, that is one reason I think I should wait, but how likely is it that I will find another job later on doing the exact thing i'm doing now in the place I want to live for good money? I dunno.

 

[1EZduzit]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: Ranger X
Koing, you did the right thing.

The company that you work for will lay you off without a warning so I don't see why you should be obligated to tell them anything. Companies should be prepared for attrition and if your departure is a show stopper then your company has more problems than you leaving. Move around while you're still young and never settle with just one company! Remember, your job is to look out for yourself and only yourself.

What you're forgetting is your name and reputation are more important than anything.

And moving around sends a HUGE RED FLAG, no matter who you are. It's the first job, so no big deal. But I've reviewed resumes and job hopping and not staying around for more than 3 years means "toss it". "man, I really like this guy...but he's a jumper. toss it"

LOL, where I used to work they had a lot of senior people (we have no other place to go out here in the boonies unless you want to pack up and move) and they like to tell us that NOBODY stays in one place very long and if we don't like it here noit to let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.

IMHO, well played, koing

 

[Playmaker]

You went about it the right way. You have no obligation whatsoever to your employer under an employment-at-will contract, but it's courteous to give the 2 (or 4) week notice.

If you were on vacation I see nothing wrong with calling it in. No manager can afford to be petty enough to attempt vindication based on you not resigning in person. That's ridiculous. Anyone suggesting that is basing it on isolated, anecdotal incidents or watches too many movies.

 

[Kyteland]

Originally posted by: DrPizza
I didn't realize that pto had to be paid if someone resigned from their job, "by law". Any links?? I've seen several cases where it's paid at 50% or other rates at the conclusions of someone's employment. And, I've seen cases where it isn't paid at all. i.e. employee with 2 weeks of vacation who leaves 6 months into the year with both weeks on the books doesn't receive anything.

They are required by law to pay it out, at least in Illinois. Vacation time is a benefit earned for the hours you spend working, the same as your salary. Not paying it is the same as not giving you your last paycheck. Almost all companies allow you to use all the time for the year even if you haven't earned it yet.

For example, I get 17 days of vacation at work. (136 hour per year) I earn 5.23 hours per pay period (2 weeks) throughout the year. Come January 1st I've techically earned 0 hours for the year, but my entire bank of 136 hours is availible to use "on credit" because it is assumed I'll work the rest of the year. If I use the entire thing up front and then quit, the difference is deducted from my last paycheck because I had't earned it yet. Similarly if I have a positive balance when I quit they have to pay it out to me.

 

[JEDI]

Originally posted by: Koing
I resigned from my job today.

Preface:
Not particularly happy at job. Job is kind of mundane (System Test Engineer) but the people are great.
50mins each way commute isn't great.
Salary was grossly underpaid

Performance review time: I knew I had been doing great work. Negotiated a big raise and 2 weeks off in August and got it. The performance review was great also. Boss doesn't know that I am looking elsewhere or that I am not entirely happy at work.

Project slips a bit and I ask for a 3rd week off and I get it on the condition that I may have to work some Saturdays.

A few round of interviews at another company and I get an offer, and today I resigned. Boss was shocked. I resigned by calling in as I'm on holiday (doing a kids summer camp) and wanted to use up some of this holiday period as my 4 week notice period also. Not sure where HR stand on that one but worth a try. The resignation letter was sent in the post today also.

He asks me why I didn't tell him in the performance review. And how long I had been looking elsewhere.

My thinking is it would have been career suicide to tell him I wasn't happy at work. I did tell him I wanted more challenging, technical work though in the performance review. The new job wasn't guaranteed so I wanted more £££ in the mean time. He probably wouldn't have given me the big raise had he known this and if I wasn't able to land another job soon I'd get the shaft.

How would you have played it?

This is my first real job after I graduated last year (KFC, temping jobs and summer camp don't count ). I have been at this job since 5th July2005.

Yes sorry it is a bit long and no poll as I wanted feedback and experiences from you guys. For the record nearly everyone I have spoken to agree what I have done was the right thing.

Thanks.
Koing

thats disrespectful for resigning over the phone especially since your boss gave you the raise and vacation you wanted.

but i agree about not saying you're unhappy. saying that wanted a more challenge is great. that way you're telling him you want more w/o telling him you're unhappy.

congrats on the new job!

 

[Kyteland]

Originally posted by: Citrix
I dunno if you handled it well. i think you should have told him during your review that you werent happy.

I agree.

It sounded to me like you liked the job and the people. If you weren't happy with the pay, you definitely should have brought it up. Demanding a raise straight up probably isn't the best way to do it, but if you don't make it known that you are unhappy they will never do anything about it. Sure, they might fire you for bringing it up, but so what? You were planning to leave anyway, right?

You made it sound like you were a valuable employee and that your supervisor thought this as well. If that's really the case then they will more than likely work with you to get you the raise you want. Just keep in mind that you will also need to work with them. Two way street and all.

In your review:
Supervisor: "You did a great job, Koing. I've given you an excellent review overall."
You: "Yay me!"
Sup: "Because you did such a great job, you'll be getting a 5% salary increase next year. Go you! You beat inflation. You now make $X a year."
You: "I believe I'm under compensated, even at $X a year. I believe I've done a lot of good work for the company, as reflected by my performance review. In addition I've done tasks A, B and C which have done really well for the company. Is there any possibility adjusting my compensation to be more in line with my work?"
Sup: "Your're right. You're definitely a guy we want to work with. You now make $Y per year.
You: "I'm sorry, but that wasn't what I had in mind."
Sup: "Honestly Koing, we can't justify paying you more than $Y for what you do."
You: "It would take $Z for me to be happy. Perhaps we could sit down and work out a set of goals for me to achieve in order to get $Z?"
Sup: "Certainly. You're weak in the area of D. You also have projects E and F coming up. If you can do those things we can justify giving you $Z."
You: "Yay!"

Both you and the company have a pretty good idea of what you're worth, although your ideas of what that is may very well be different. The first step is to get them to offer you what they think you're worth. If that's still not up to what you think you're worth you need to tell then what you want and ask what needs to change to get to that. You have to say "I'm worth $Z. What do I have to do to prove it to you?"

They are a business and are out to turn a profit. They will never pay you more than what they think you're worth. You just had a good performance review so even if they will only justify paying you $Y, they will know that you should be capable of achieving the goals they set for you to get to $Z. It's a win-win situation for both of you.

 

[Kelemvor]

Late to chime in here but I would have not just flat out resigned. I woudl have said that you were contacted by another company and made you an offer that you thought was too good to pass up but that you wanted to let them know first. WHo knows, they might have really wanted to keep you and given you a big raise and such. But of course they could have done that and then started looking for someone to take your positionand then fired you later... But from what you said of the supervisor's response I don't think that would have happened.

But end result is that if your'e happy and you feel you made the right decision for you, then you should stick with it. It's your life to live how you want.

Gratz.

 

[L1FE]

Originally posted by: E equals MC2

I used my current job as a reference. I think the HR of the other company were smart enough to not actually use it until after I was given the job, seeing as it is a Graduate position I don't think they were going to check much of it out if they weren't serious about me?

Koing

Makes no sense.. The purpose of reference is to determine whether they want you or not. What's the point of reference if they already made an offer to hire you?


So all in all, you gambled? The HR very much could've called up your boss out of nowhere and surprised the hell out of him... If the company didn't hire you, you would've been screwed by your current boss...

Englighten me, I'm in a very similiar shoes as well

I saw your other thread on job references and I guess I'm just not seeing why you're so fixated on references. I mean, understandably, some industries require references, and references definitely aren't a negative thing to have, but honestly I've never even been asked for references. Usually a strong resume and good interviewing skills are enough to seal the deal so to speak...*shrug*