Why do we have to give 2 weeks notice? our boss fire us right on the spot?

[michellejunlee]

why do we have to give 2 weeks notice? but employer can fire us right on the spot?

i have been working as programmer in the valley forever (starting out as programmer for Digital Unix back in 95). Never quit a job, always got fired after few years of good works, and mostly due to company not doing well.

Recently trying to quit a job, but was told that if i quit then i am burning bridge with him. He is a well to do vc (rich guy $100m+). Then was told to give me 30 days, but feels like earlier talk a threat, so i just quit right away.

any idea what should i do differently?

[robdoherty2]

you don't have to; giving 2 weeks notice is a professional courtesy that contributes to you getting a positive reference at some point in the future

[michellejunlee]

some big companies like cisco and sun micro doesnt even give out references except for information that you did work for them between this and that time.

[patmcc]

If you live in a jurisdiction with good labour laws, your boss might be able to fire you "on the spot" but they'll still have to pay at least 2 weeks of severance.

Also, keep in mind that leaving immediately might seem like it hurts your boss and/or the company, but more likely it just stresses out your co-workers who have to pick up where you left off without any help. 2 weeks to hand off all your current stuff makes their lives a lot easier.

[Mankhool]

Where are you? In Canada you don't have to give ANY notice to leave. It is done out of consideration for your employer and their need to replace you before you leave.

[kohanz]

Don't be so sure. This appears to be a legal gray area [1]

[1] http://business.financialpost.com/2012/09/04/when-two-weeks-...

[michellejunlee]

i am in the sf bay area.

[RougeFemme]

And even though you may not think so at the time that you are giving notice, you may actually want to return to that company at some point. Not giving notice may be seen as burning at least 1 bridge and may land you on the "do not rehire" list.

And it allows time for any "knowledge transfer" that may need to occur.

[michellejunlee]

just wondering, why people are so afraid of "burning the bridge". It feels like there is a mentality that the world (or the valley) at the least is small and there will be good chances you meet the people you work with or your boss in future that will interview you?

i have been working in the valley since 96 as programmer and i never gotten interview or at the least needed help from people i work before.

[OriginalAT]

As was mentioned it is simply a courtesy that you extend to your employer so that they may have sufficient time to find a replacement for your position, or at least get the process started and in the mean time make arrangements for your duties to be handled.

[dottrap]

And some (paranoid?, hostile?) companies will escort you out the door the moment you offer two weeks (or whatever) notice.

[johnmurch]

Some places it's actually 4 weeks as they won't payout PTO and/or other contributions if you leave before.

[joezydeco]

You need to know your local/state laws when leaving a job.

In Illinois, for example, you must have your final paycheck (including all backpay in arrears and unused PTO/vacation pay) paid to you when you leave or, at the latest, the next scheduled pay period where your coworkers would have been paid.

Employers can't withhold unpaid PTO that you earned just because you don't give enough notice.

[michellejunlee]

good to know that there are these kind of places.

[domaniac]

You won't believe it but in India some software companies have a 3 month notice period :)