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Employees and employers alike have the right under at-will employment laws in almost all states to end their relationship without notice, for any reason, but the two-week rule is a widely accepted standard of workplace conduct. Now Sue Shellenbarger writes at The Wall Street Journal that employers say a growing number of workers are leaving without giving two weeks' notice.
Some bosses blame young employees who feel frustrated by limited prospects or have little sense of attachment to their workplace. But employment experts say some older workers are quitting without notice as well. They feel overworked or unappreciated after years of laboring under pay cuts and expanded workloads imposed during the recession. One employee at Dupray, a customer-service rep, scheduled a meeting and announced she was quitting, then rose and headed for the exit. She seemed surprised when the director of human resources stopped her and explained that employees are expected to give two weeks' notice. "She said, 'I've been watching 'Suits,' and this is how it happens,' " referring to the TV drama set in a law firm.
According to Shellenbarger, quitting without notice is sometimes justified. Employees with access to proprietary information, such as those working in sales or new-product development, face a conflict of interest if they accept a job with a competitor. Employees in such cases typically depart right away—ideally, by mutual agreement. It can also be best to exit quickly if an employer is abusive, or if you suspect your employer is doing something illegal.
More often, however, quitting without notice "is done in the heat of emotion, by someone who is completely frustrated, angry, offended or upset," says David Lewis, president of OperationsInc., a Norwalk, Conn., human-resources consulting firm. That approach can burn bridges and generate bad references. Phyllis Hartman says employees have a responsibility to try to communicate about what's wrong. "Start figuring out if there is anything you can do to fix it. The worst that can happen is that nobody listens or they tell you no."
(Score: 2, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday June 28 2016, @07:28AM
Where's that nine-hour work week we were promised, fifty years ago? Can we put some "employment experts" on that? Or is "human-resources consulting" too busy thinking up worthless busywork for employees to do to earn the privilege of existing? Do you really have to wonder why workers are "frustrated, angry, offended or upset" at the neverending recession that employers caused and intentionally perpetuate for their own benefit?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday June 28 2016, @08:08AM
Turns out that the powers that be prefer to have 20% working 45 hours a week, and the rest split between unemployment and prison. Keeps the 20% worrying about losing their jobs, and thus they don't complain about working way more than necessary.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday June 28 2016, @05:21PM
For once, the obligatory comic isn't XKCD! [smbc-comics.com]