Accepted University offer, now need to resign

Kynthia

I have a really good relationship with my team and work for a good and large employer. However I wouldn't 'expect' more than the standard one month's notice and certainly don't feel offended that they're leaving. I am sad to see them go though. I have been given a heads up before but other than ask them to start doing some handover, I can't start any official procedures until I receive their official resignation anyway.

Naf

It's a small business, the owners, 3 managers (the owners' daughter, son-in-law & myself) and 10 staff. They're already running with too few staff, and one too few managers: their own fault, granted.
I don't really want to drop them in it, losing another manager at only a week's notice so having no time to even recruit another, let alone train them.
But, unfortunately, as with the original posts, unless I am offered a temporary job I just don't think it's a risk I can afford to take. Honestly I don't want to think they would do it, as they're really nice people; but I know they have done it, and even when it really left them up the proverbial creek.

whitewing

Give them the notice that is required contracturally - after all, that is the notice that their terms and conditions suggest they need.

If you could afford to be let go sooner, then take the risk and tell them sooner. You could also suggest that you provide cover on holidays from Uni, if you think you would be available. It would be worth them bearing in mind.

hcb42

give the minimum you are required to do.

Anything could happen in between, look after yourself!

Savvy_Sue

Naf wrote: »

And if they ask why I didn't tell them sooner, I'll only have the one answer; the truth.

Well, there's several possible variants on 'the truth', aren't there?

1. I was offered the place in June, but it's a big decision and I've been thinking about whether or not to do it.

2. I would have given notice earlier, but I was aware that Fred was let go as soon as he gave notice, and I wanted to carry on working for as long as possible.

3. I have given you the notice required in my contract. What is your problem?

You could also talk about future plans, how you want to do x and y, and see how that goes down. When the staff shortages are mentioned make it clear that you're not going to be there for ever either. Point out how hard it would be to manage if anyone else was to leave / fall under a bus / get pregnant.

And so on ...

Sambucus_Nigra

Naf wrote: »

I think if I leave it until the last minute it'll be difficult to leave on the best of terms as they'll know that I've known for a while and not told them... And if they ask why I didn't tell them sooner, I'll only have the one answer; the truth.

...which is that you read your contract, noted the notice period and then worked back to calculate the date at which they have requested you give them notice.

If they seriously have a one week notice period for managers; then someone needs to look at their contracts as that's crazy...but if that's what they want [you can only presume as soon as management get a new job, they want them out] then that's what they have got.

Naf

If I just tell them in the form of a 'heads up', and not put it in writing, can they still take that as my notice and adjust the leaving date as they please? Or should they wait until I officially give it in writing? Obviously with less than one year's service they could still terminate me regardless, but just with regards to notice being official?

LittleVoice

Naf wrote: »

If I just tell them in the form of a 'heads up', and not put it in writing, can they still take that as my notice and adjust the leaving date as they please? Or should they wait until I officially give it in writing? Obviously with less than one year's service they could still terminate me regardless, but just with regards to notice being official?

What do your written particulars of employment say about giving notice? Usually these specify that notice has to be given in writing.

However, whether or not it is in writing on your part, as you say they can dismiss you very easily because of your period of employment. For that reason it doesn't really make any difference if there is a real likelihood that they would want you to leave ASAP after you advise them that you will be leaving.

Sambucus_Nigra

Naf wrote: »

If I just tell them in the form of a 'heads up', and not put it in writing, can they still take that as my notice and adjust the leaving date as they please? Or should they wait until I officially give it in writing? Obviously with less than one year's service they could still terminate me regardless, but just with regards to notice being official?

Look - they want management/people out in one week. That's their prerogative. Why are you trying to double guess them?

Just give them the notice that they have ASKED you to give them.

Naf

Worked out that I COULD just scrape by even if they did tell me to just go; so I gave them a heads up without giving it in writing, although I realise it makes little difference in this situation. They were way better than I could have imagined: all for it and not even going to stop giving me coaching & training just because i'm going.