I used to be a technician at a retail chain, less stress, but I got laid off three months ago. I'm working front line retail again and I want out.
Hopefully, this will end soon. A large company has just called to offer me a job ($35K, the largest salary I have ever been offered). I'm supposed to pick up some papers for the offer on Monday. Here's the catch, however: the company is based in California and the head office down there needs to run a few "background checks". Assuming everything goes well, I should start in two weeks.
This begs the big question: should I tell my present company now, or should I wait until all this is confirmed? The only fear I have right now is that the background check turns up some really untrue bullshit, like say I'm a member of Al Qaeda, and if I give my notice now, I could be out of a job in two weeks. However, I don't want to stay in retail any longer than I have to, so I want to get out ASAP.
But I didn't do anything wrong, so such fears are nonsense, right? Someone I know had problems with a background check where her identity was stolen and used in an armed robbery. Not fun.
What do you think?
Posted by Mighty Blogger Snay (Member # 411) on :
Dude, if you get the job, why bother giving any notice at all? I mean, honestly, these days I think most companies would just as soon be rid of you the second you tell them, "I'm giving you my two weeks." If they keep you for those two weeks, they're afraid of what you'll do when you're not afraid of being fired.
Posted by Saltah'na (Member # 33) on :
It's called workplace ethics. Maybe it does not apply in the States, but up in Canada, it is sort of a moral obligation to let them know that you want out and when.
Like employers who give employees two weeks notice when they are being laid off, I should be giving my employer two weeks notice when I want to leave. The only question right now is should I give it to them now or later?
Posted by Hobbes (Member # 138) on :
A background check is not unusual. Especially if it involves classified information. I would wait until after after you get the new job.
Posted by Saltah'na (Member # 33) on :
That's what I was initially thinking but do I really want to stay there that much longer?
Posted by Mighty Blogger Snay (Member # 411) on :
Tahna,
We have the same concept down here. It doesn't "apply" in the States in the sense that there is no legal obligation to give two weeks notice, and like I said, these days, the moment you tell your boss you're going to be leaving in two weeks, they generally want you gone as soon as possible, or at least so I've noticed. Are you a bit touchy today or what?
You certainly shouldn't quit until you've gotten your new job, but if they tell you on Thursday, "Hey, be here at 7am Monday" are you actually going to tell them you can't start for two weeks? Go to your current boss and tell him, "Hey, I just got a new job, I start Monday, I'll work out the weekend for you."
Posted by Saltah'na (Member # 33) on :
Probably because I've been able to piss off customers from here to eternity. When they do not understand the concept of "it's supposed to work this way", then I get pissed. At them.
Methinks the boss knows I want out.
In any case, my brother has come up with a decent solution: wait a week and see if it comes in. Then give 1 week notice. So I patiently await one week to see how the background check goes, etc. etc. etc.
Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
Speaking as someone that managed 8 people in a retail environment, I was (usually) glad to get two week's notice. People just quitting without any notice often screws the other coworkers more than anyone else- our schedules are made two weeks in advance (so people can plan their lives) and someone leaving or getting fired means the shift is short-staffed for a while (even if the coworker sucked, they could help a little!)
Even when I fired someone, if possible, I'd do it when i could staff someone to fill that position first.
Be classy- give them notice. Besides, if this new job does not work out, you might be able to go back if you leave on good terms.
quote:Originally posted by Saltah'na: Probably because I've been able to piss off customers from here to eternity. When they do not understand the concept of "it's supposed to work this way", then I get pissed. At them.
Dont work for Kinko's. I just (tonight) found someone trying to use the fax machine as a color copier.
Posted by Saltah'na (Member # 33) on :
For really stupid reasons, the schedules come out the Saturday before. I don't like it, as it is so last minute. Which is why giving one week notice may be possible in this case.
I know I want to leave in good terms, but the thing is, I DON'T want to come back. Yes, the new job involves things that I have never done before in an actual work environment, but even if that does not work out, I don't want to be seen as crawling back to them a la Homer Simpson.
Mind you, I've only been with this store for little more than 2 months, which is why I do not feel like giving them the full 2 weeks. I do not have the stomach to spend another month with them if I want to wait until after the Background Check is complete.
Besides, I don't want any more angels getting sucked into jet engines......
Posted by MinutiaeMan (Member # 444) on :
In my opinion, I don't think there's a major problem with asking your new employers to wait for you to start working with them while you give your current employer the full two weeks' notice. Yes, it might be construed as annoying for holding off the start of work, but consider the converse -- you're demonstrating your sense of ethics and loyalty to your current employer by ensuring that you give them the full two weeks' notice due, and your new employer will know that you will give them the same loyalty and consideration in turn.
I know you want out, but I wouldn't worry about asking your new employer (hopefully) to wait the full two weeks. If they really decide to press the issue, they may turn out to be jerks that you don't want to work for anyway (aside from the money issue, of course).
Posted by PsyLiam (Member # 73) on :
This might just be me, but every single job interview I have ever gone to has involved the question "How much notice do you have to give?" Surely that's true in Canada as well?
Posted by Omega (Member # 91) on :
My personal approach would be to tell my boss that I seem to have a new job lined up, and will hopefully be leaving soon, but that it's not sure, and ASK him how much notice you should give when it becomes sure. But then, that's me, and I tend to assume people will be nicer than they usually are.
Posted by Fleet-Admiral Michael T. Colorge (Member # 144) on :
I used to work for American Eagle Outfitters back in 2002-2003... the head manager was a bitch from New Jersey who decided to move to Northridge, CA and run the new store in the San Fernando Valley. I also didn't return to retail because of it. I considered Gap... but then my sister who worked at Gap Body told me how bad it is also there.
I'd give the two week notice... two days before you start your new job. If the retail store's manager is a bitch, they will get rid of you in two days.
Posted by Siegfried (Member # 29) on :
I echo giving two weeks notice. It's still the professional thing to do, but Jeff is right in that a lot of employers will try and have you out of there before the end of those two weeks.
I've been where Jason has, and rushing at the last minute to try and fill vacant spots in the schedule sucks royally and causes a lot of problems with the remaining staff. Unless the environment is just plain soul-suckingly awful or you fear for your mental or physical health, I say give the two weeks notice.
Posted by Lee (Member # 393) on :
Not giving notice can piss employers off, depends whether or not you're ever likely to need them for a reference.
Posted by Saltah'na (Member # 33) on :
Well, I don't need a reference.
I gave them my notice last Thursday. It turns out that the new company fixed my start date on Jan 24. I've already signed the papers, so I really have no choice but to let them know.
I'm still working this week but I hope the background check passes. It's going down to the wire on this one.....
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