is it better to quit without another job or be fired? by Alison Green on November 14, 2024 A reader writes: Which would make it harder to get another job — quitting without another job or getting fired? If you have a job where requirements have changed radically and unreasonably, where every day is a nightmare, and people with long track records of good work are being threatened with being fired, I know […] Read the full article →
when is it OK to quit without notice? by Alison Green on September 12, 2024 A reader writes: I’ve read your advice that two weeks’ notice before quitting is the professional standard, because it “provides time for you to wrap up projects and transition them to whoever will be covering them in the interim.” In general, I agree. But what about in situations where you couldn’t possibly “wrap up” anything […] Read the full article →
my boss is upset that I quit without more notice because I’m vital to the business by Alison Green on July 24, 2024 A reader writes: I just left my job. I had worked at the same small company for six years. Over the years, I have seen admin staff leave with little notice and staff who gave notice but did not actually work through it. My boss, Amanda, told me that she actually did not want them […] Read the full article →
the lawnmower message, the mangled journal articles, and other stories of deliberately burnt bridges by Alison Green on June 19, 2024 I recently asked about bridges you intentionally, happily burned. Here are 12 of my favorite stories you shared. 1. The fish tank In college, I worked as a cashier at a national chain pet store. The pay was dismal but it was pretty easy work, so I stuck around. After working there for three years […] Read the full article →
can my employer make me give four weeks notice when I quit? by Alison Green on June 17, 2024 A reader writes: When I started at my current job (an entry-level administrative job, no state secrets here), my offer letter stated that I would have to give minimum four weeks notice when I left or I could open myself up to legal action from the company. I also live in an at-will employment state […] Read the full article →
sometimes an old job isn’t done with you … even when you’re done with it by Alison Green on May 20, 2024 When you quit a job, you typically assume you’re finished with that work — once you’re gone, your former colleagues will find a way to move on without you. But sometimes an old job isn’t done with you … even when you’re done with it. Bizarrely, I hear all the time from people who still […] Read the full article →
can I leave before my notice period is up if my boss is being a jerk? by Alison Green on May 7, 2024 A reader writes: What’s the etiquette, if that’s the right word, for leaving a job before the end of your notice period? I resigned due to a toxic micromanager boss who also leans toward abusive. She has been out on medical leave for the last three weeks, but is back today. I’m halfway through my […] Read the full article →
is it reasonable to leave without notice when my company lets employees go without notice? by Alison Green on March 12, 2024 A reader writes: I am a senior software engineer at a mid-sized company. My team became part of this company through an acquisition three years ago. Within the first year of the acquisition, our product managers (“Joey” and “Chandler”) were let go as a “business decision.” Joey and Chandler were subject matter experts who shared […] Read the full article →
the postage stamps, the airport page, and other deranged responses to resignations by Alison Green on February 1, 2024 Last week I asked about deranged things your employer did when you resigned. Here are some of my favorite stories you shared. 1. The postage stamps An attorney I worked for had custom postage stamps made with HER FACE on them specifically for mailing folks their last paycheck after they were fired or (usually) quit. […] Read the full article →
let’s discuss deranged things your employer did when you resigned by Alison Green on January 25, 2024 Some managers handle it really, really badly when people resign. From the managers who stop speaking to resigning employees (because leaving is a personal betrayal, apparently), to the manager who told a resigning employee “I hate you” and threw things, to the manager who slashed an employee’s tires on their last day (!), some bosses […] Read the full article →