Professionals, I need advice about leaving my position

[jmhart]

Here's my deal:

My wife just got a great job offer and we are moving at the end of June across the US. In January(long before this job was even an idea) we planned a 2 week vacation for the last week of May, first week of June.

I already know I'll be leaving the job at the end of June, but I feel really crappy about giving notice to my company now and taking a 2 week vacation during that time.

To give you an idea of my position(and being honest, not inflating):
I'm mid-level management, highly respected and involved in nearly all research my group has going on. Without trying to sound over the top, I'm kind of important while still being a pion. My group is going to take a hit when I leave, and my boss(very nice guy) is really going to feel the gut punch.

Do I give my boss notice now so that there's plenty of time to transition my duties, take the vactaion, and then leave the company two weeks later and feel like a bad person?

or

Do I make up some story about how it was a last minute offer to move and give 2 weeks plus a few days notice immeditately after the vacation?


My boss knows my wife was interviewing for another job, but neither of us knew it would mean me leaving the company.

 

[coach_z]

Honesty is the best approach.

Tell you boss that you wife got the job it is over there and my last day is x. Tell him that you also had a vacation planned for x through x that you will still be taking and then tell him that you will help train your replacement and or do whatever you need to do, etc etc etc.

How about you? do you have to look now too? is it possible that you can work from the other side of the country?

 

[pinkertd]

This:

Do I give my boss notice now so that there's plenty of time to transition my duties, take the vactaion, and then leave the company two weeks later and feel like a bad person?

Except don't feel like a bad person! No reason to. You're entitled to take the trip that you planned. You earned your vacation based on length of service. No employee stays forever, and the more notice your boss has, the better. If your boss will be hurting from you leaving, the more time he has to transition someone, the better for him and the company. Most companies traditionally expect 2 weeks notice. You'll be giving him a lot more than that. It still won't be enough time to make it a painless (for the boss) separation, but he should really appreciate the extra advance notice. In my corporate world this would be the best approach.

Congrats and good luck!!

 

[excuzzzeme]

I agree with Z - Don't burn your bridges! Some companies may allow a terminal leave and others have very strict policies about it. The company I worked for took a very heavy hit when I left and suffered serious repercussions for 2-3 years afterwards. I understand your consternation.

It is a part of doing business and most employers know it. They may not like it or what it may mean to them, but being honest and straight forward is essential. You can offer to help train your replacement if you give an early enough notice. Explain to them that you don't want to leave and wouldn't if there were any other option available to you.

Have a frank and open discussion to help make your decision easier. Be aware, they may "let you go" on the spot as well.

IS telecommuting an option?

 

[noodles62]

I agree with all of the above. Be honest and let him know your plans. It will be appreciated by the boss/company - and its good karma.
This will allow them plenty of time to find and train a qualified replacement.

 

[jmhart]

My gut feeling is to give as much notice as possible in spite of the vacation.

Unfortunately, telecommuting is out because I work on laboratory based research, so it means I am leaving the company outright. Since I've been here, litereally no researchers have left the company...some have transitioned to other groups within the company, but nobody has flat out left. Makes it difficult because I don't have any idea what to expect. The last thing I need is to give a months' notice and be let go immediately.

 

[pinkertd]

While most non-union employer's now call your employment with them "Employment At Will" which gives them the ability to hire and fire at will and without cause, he'd sort of be hurting himself and the company even more to fire you for you having to leave the job. I can't see that happening at all. What you can transition to your replacement is so very important in your field of work. Our lives change, and the roads we take change, it's life. He may be disappointed to lose you, but I doubt he'll harbor bad feelings about the situation.

Also, you'll probably be wanting references from your current employer for your future employment. He'll be thinking a lot more kindly about the extra advance notice, no doubt about it.

 

[coach_z]

While most non-union employer's now call your employment with them "Employment At Will" which gives them the ability to hire and fire at will and without cause, he'd sort of be hurting himself and the company even more to fire you for you having to leave the job. I can't see that happening at all. What you can transition to your replacement is so very important in your field of work. Our lives change, and the roads we take change, it's life. He may be disappointed to lose you, but I doubt he'll harbor bad feelings about the situation.

Also, you'll probably be wanting references from your current employer for your future employment. He'll be thinking a lot more kindly about the extra advance notice, no doubt about it.

x2!

where is the move going to bring you?

 

[Madcrawdad]

The last thing I need is to give a months' notice and be let go immediately.

Then don't do it. Going on vacation and giving your notice upon return is completely acceptable. You need to do what's best for you, while also being fair to your employer... vacationing, then giving notice fits the bill.

 

[A. Nonymous]

Then don't do it. Going on vacation and giving your notice upon return is completely acceptable. You need to do what's best for you, while also being fair to your employer... vacationing, then giving notice fits the bill.

I agree with this. There's no need to lie about it though. Simply give your notice that your last day is X. There's no need to make up a story about it being a spur of the moment thing or anything like that. I wouldn't feel bad. I know a girl who gave her two weeks notice then spent the next two weeks on a vacation she already had planned. Our boss through a huge fit about about, but HR told him that what she was doing was perfectly legit. She'd earned the time off and was entitled to use it as long as she was still employed.