Letter of Resignation

[Road Guy]

yes what FW said, get everything off your computer you will need, emails contacts, etc. clear cookies, delete internet history, etc, etc,

get a gmail account and forward every email you have stored so you will have the contact info.

I have seen some people who turned in 2 weeks never even allowed back to their cube / office after they handed the letter over , and they get their stuff mailed to them..

 

[kevo_55]

If you don't want to be escorted off the company's property that very day, I'd do it in person.

 

[McEngr]

Well, that'll take some time. I believe that I should tell them tomorrow (which will still be a 3 week notice) and I can get most of my stuff done tonight.

Thanks for the advice everyone... it's not that I haven't done this before, but it's definitely weighing in on me...

 

[frazil]

When do you start your new job?

 

[McEngr]

When do you start your new job?

June 4th

 

[Dleg]

Ktulu - I agree with everyone here - short and sweet, say something nice, and talk to your boss personally about it as you hand it in.

McEngr - it's about time! I was going to stop responding to your posts because you are obviously being treated like crap, and there's simply no excuse for staying around when you live somewhere where there are plenty of opportunities. (This is just good natured, friendly **** talking, so don't be offended). I think your revised resignation letter is fine. I would definitely not lie about liking the place, so I'm glad to see you removed the false sentiment as suggested by MA_PE.

I would probably never put anything negative in a resignation letter, but I've had a lot of resignation speech fantasies lately. Some involve a dramatic conclusion with a punch to the nose or spitting in the face. But they're just fantasies, and I don't really have anwyhere else to go, so I'd probably submit the 2-sentence "I appreciate all the opportunites to advance myself" jobs. :jerkit: :BS:

One of my friends here in the islands submitted a 100-plus page resignation "package" when she resigned from the public health department. It included enough paper evidence to probably convict at least 5 members of the management team there, including the Director. Of course, nothing ever came of it - it was submitted to her Director. But, she did have the balls to hand it to him personally and tell him what was inside.

 

[SkyWarp]

McEngr - IMO, leave out the part about it being in your best interests to leave the company. I think the resignation letter I used was 2 or 3 sentences. I'm leaving effective Month Day, Year. I appreciate the opportunity here.

If you say you're better off elsewhere and put it in writing, your odds of coming back to work for whoever took that letter go down. Also, they might tell you you're leaving immediately, not in two weeks.

 

[kevo_55]

Good luck today McEngr!!

Take the fam out this weekend to celebrate!!

 

[MA_PE]

yes what FW said, get everything off your computer you will need, emails contacts, etc. clear cookies, delete internet history, etc, etc,
get a gmail account and forward every email you have stored so you will have the contact info.

I have seen some people who turned in 2 weeks never even allowed back to their cube / office after they handed the letter over , and they get their stuff mailed to them..

I hadn't thought about that. What do you think about bringing in a USB external drive and cloning your harddrive from the work computer?

Of course you can delete any software later (I'm not suggesting pirating/stealing software), but that way you'd know that you took everything with you.

 

[McEngr]

Last night I talked with the hiring/firing owner. It's ironic that he's the only one that I trust at this place (aside from a few work-equals that I have). He warned me that if I am looking that I should make a decision soon because of the cost it takes to keep me here (it's a small company that i work for). Since I promised a start date of June 4th, I asked him straight up, "What if I give my notice. Does that mean I will be escorted out immediately?" He said, "That's the nature of our industry. We once had a construction estimator a few years back that gave his notice, and he was asked to get his things together in 2 HOURS." 2 hours!

I've currently left an e-mail with my new hire about starting earlier due to that possibility. I'd hate to be out of work for two weeks. I have a mortgage and family to think about.

McEngr

 

[Bigwolf]

Last night I talked with the hiring/firing owner. It's ironic that he's the only one that I trust at this place (aside from a few work-equals that I have). He warned me that if I am looking that I should make a decision soon because of the cost it takes to keep me here (it's a small company that i work for). Since I promised a start date of June 4th, I asked him straight up, "What if I give my notice. Does that mean I will be escorted out immediately?" He said, "That's the nature of our industry. We once had a construction estimator a few years back that gave his notice, and he was asked to get his things together in 2 HOURS." 2 hours!
I've currently left an e-mail with my new hire about starting earlier due to that possibility. I'd hate to be out of work for two weeks. I have a mortgage and family to think about.

McEngr

That's not the nature of our industry......that's the nature of being a ********. :BS:

 

[frazil]

Wow...I had heard about stuff like this (being asked to leave immediately), but I had no idea it was so prevalent. If you can't start earlier, just wait until June 1st to give your "notice".

I don't understand the "cost it takes to keep me here" statement. If it costs more to employ you than you're earning them in work done then something seems wrong with the business.

 

[Bigwolf]

I agree with Frazil.

Screw burning bridges at this point. If they are going to escort you out right away, then the bridge will pretty much be burned anyways......I'd also say tell them on June 1. If they think that's an inconsiderate move, tell them you have a mortgage to pay and were quite concerned that you wouldn't get a final 2 weeks based on a conversation you had with so and so.

 

[jeb6294]

Last night I talked with the hiring/firing owner. It's ironic that he's the only one that I trust at this place (aside from a few work-equals that I have). He warned me that if I am looking that I should make a decision soon because of the cost it takes to keep me here (it's a small company that i work for). Since I promised a start date of June 4th, I asked him straight up, "What if I give my notice. Does that mean I will be escorted out immediately?" He said, "That's the nature of our industry. We once had a construction estimator a few years back that gave his notice, and he was asked to get his things together in 2 HOURS." 2 hours!
I've currently left an e-mail with my new hire about starting earlier due to that possibility. I'd hate to be out of work for two weeks. I have a mortgage and family to think about.

McEngr

The last engineer that left here was a blithering idiot...I'm not sure why they kept her around as long as they did. I was kind of sorry to see her go because she was my security blanket...no matter how slow things got I knew I was safe as long as she was still here. She lied on her resume and in her interview about the type of work experience she had (the rumor around the office was that they hired me to do the stuff that she said she could do) and she wasn't very good at the stuff they did give her to do. She was always trying to "borrow" my spreadsheets I had set up to run drainage calculations. You had to adjust them to fit the specific job you were working on and couldn't even do the most basic work in Excel so she was constantly at my desk asking me how to fix something she had screwed up.

Anyway, between her and one of the other feminazi's that used to work here, she decided that the Engineering group here was just a big boy's club and everyone was against her so she left. She wasn't working on anything pressing at the time and they even let her finish out her two weeks.

 

[MA_PE]

Last night I talked with the hiring/firing owner. It's ironic that he's the only one that I trust at this place (aside from a few work-equals that I have). He warned me that if I am looking that I should make a decision soon because of the cost it takes to keep me here (it's a small company that i work for). Since I promised a start date of June 4th, I asked him straight up, "What if I give my notice. Does that mean I will be escorted out immediately?" He said, "That's the nature of our industry. We once had a construction estimator a few years back that gave his notice, and he was asked to get his things together in 2 HOURS." 2 hours!
I've currently left an e-mail with my new hire about starting earlier due to that possibility. I'd hate to be out of work for two weeks. I have a mortgage and family to think about.

McEngr

Does this company have a written employee manual? If so what is the termination policy. If they require a two-week notice when you quit, then I'd think you would have a legal basis for either working (and getting paid) for the two weeks, or getting two weeks pay and a "thankyou but you don't need to come in for the last two weeks".

You describe leaving just before a two week vacation (which you will be paid for regardless). So, I don't see why it's necessary for an earlier start date for financial reasons as nothing has changed.

hope you're out soon. good luck

 

[Ritchie503]

If they require a two-week notice when you quit, then I'd think you would have a legal basis for either working (and getting paid) for the two weeks, or getting two weeks pay and a "thankyou but you don't need to come in for the last two weeks".

I was thinking the exact same thing MA_PE, if a two week notice is given you should be either paid for working the two weeks or paid to not show up during the two weeks.

Vacation is a good point, they must pay for any earned but unused vacation days.

Personally I would still give the two week notice (money shouldn't be the issue as you should be paid for it anyway). I would only give two weeks (not longer except in special cases).

 

[McEngr]

Wow...I had heard about stuff like this (being asked to leave immediately), but I had no idea it was so prevalent. If you can't start earlier, just wait until June 1st to give your "notice".
I don't understand the "cost it takes to keep me here" statement. If it costs more to employ you than you're earning them in work done then something seems wrong with the business.

They are essentially trying to talk down my contribution to the company. They informed me of a new engineer that they hired, but I fully believe he'll end up just like me. He'll be wondering why this company is set up so strangely. The thing is, I know that I know my stuff (not trying to be cocky). There was about 2 1/2 years out of college where I was highly intimidated by the building and design codes, but I'm far beyond that now (I'm structural). They talk about my experience, but there's only one person who has the ability to assess any of it (the engineering manager) and we definitely don't get along.

 

[McEngr]

The employee manual only states "at will". There's no mention of a termination policy.

 

[MA_PE]

"at will" - means that either you or they can terminate your employment for without cause whenever you/they want to.

If there is no documented two week notice policy, then it would be a couretesy on your part. Based on your posts, they've already indicated that they aren't interested in the courtesy move. Therefore, wait until you're ready to leave hand them the letter and say "bye". If they ask you for two weeks, say you'd love to but you have other commitments.

IMHO, this little cat-and-mouse conversation you just had, has set the tone. Further, it sounds like they just hired your replacement and unless this guy is clueless (on top of being rather heartlessand blunt) he knows you're leaving anyway.

good luck

 

[McEngr]

Thanks to everyone that has responded. Dear mod's, could you please remove this thread so that it isn't in plane site from outsiders?

I'd appreciate it. Thanks,

McEngr