‘Respectfully, no’: Employee hands boss their two weeks notice, only for boss to demand they stay for two months, leading to a schedule conflict with new job

Author image for Bar Mor Hazut
Bar Mor Hazut • Senior Editor
Sep 7, 2024 7:00 AM EDT

Why is it that when employees quit, they usually have to stay at their job for at least another two weeks, but when they get fired, they leave the same day without any additional work?

Those two weeks since you hand in your notice and until your actual last day are always extremely awkward. Everyone at the office knows you quit, and basically have no interest in working with them anymore, the actual work you do feels pointless, and your manager is probably trash-talking you behind your back. Isn't it easier to just… leave?

The employee in this Reddit story handed in their two weeks notice after they found a new job, that was due to start in three weeks. OP (original poster) planned to work the reasonable two weeks before leaving, have one week off to settle down, and then start their brand new job. What OP did not plan, was for their boss to demand that instead of staying two weeks, they'll stay for two months, and help him 'ease the transition' of their leaving.

Scroll down to read OP's reaction to that demand, and the advice that followed. After that, click here for a story of an employee who walked out mid-shift after a conversation with their boss.

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  • 01
    Calendar Select Date SMTWT F S 1 2 3 4 2 567 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 17 16 18 19 22 21 20 23 24 25 26 27 29 28 30 31 12 13 14 16 Create Task 19 20 21 22 26 28 In Progress
    via AndreyPopov
  • 02
    Boss wants a two month notice of leave. My new job starts in 3 weeks.
    via oak56047
  • 03
    I got a very attractive job offer and the start date is three weeks from today. I talked to my supervisor and he tried to get me to stay. I rejected all his ideas
    via oak56047
  • 04
    because this new offer is just much better for me. He then suggested I stay on for another 2 months to ease the transition. I thought this was a little extreme.
    via oak56047
  • 05
    They've been a good employer, but I don't feel like I owe them anything. Yeah, it might be difficult for my current employer to manage all my tasks, but not
    via oak56047
  • 06
    too bad.I could talk to my new company about that, but I kinda want to just move on. Any suggestions on how to handle this?
    via oak56047
  • 07
    EDIT: I live in the US. TX, specifically. And work remotely in the engineering industry. EDIT 2: wow this post blew up. Literally everyone said that I'm
    via oak56047
  • 08
    not obligated to stick with the company due to at-will employment here in TX. I'll tell him as such when we get back to work after the weekend. Respectfully, of course.... Thanks everyone!
    via oak56047
  • 09
    GladInPA • 4d ago If you were getting fired, would they be obligated to give you 2 months notice? Nope. You owe them nothing. Tell them you've thought about it, and it is just not
    via GladInPA
  • 10
    doable to stay that long, but you will do all you can to make the transition easier for the next person during your time left.
    via GladInPA
  • 11
    ListMore5157 . 4d ago Edited 4d ago This exactly!!! I got let go with zero days notice. I was actually planning the next 3 months of work when I was called away and let go because my job went to India. You owe them nothing.
    via ListMore5157
  • 12
    Your best approach would be to offer up your services as a consultant. Double your hourly pay and tell them that's what it will cost to keep you on after hours.
    via ListMore5157
  • 13
    oak56047 OP • 4d ago Yeah, you're right. Respectfully tell them no seems like the best way.
    via oak56047
  • 14
    Clean_Factor9673 • 4d ago NTA. 2 weeks. Take a week between
    via Clean_Factor9673
  • 15
    oak56047 OP • 4d ago That was the plan until he dropped this bomb.
    via oak56047
  • 16
    Agitated_Claim1198 4d ago Best you should do is leave the day before. your new job start. You shouldn't put at risk your new job to accomodate your current employer.
    via Agitated_Claim1198
  • 17
    ohf knotthisagain 4d ago Politely tell him to stuff it. Unless you signed a contract with requirements for notice of separation, you owe him nothing.
    via ohf**knotthisagain
  • 18
    A good manager will not put the company in a position to fail when one regular employee leaves. If they do that, it's only a matter of time until the company fails anyway. People quit, get sick, or d every day.
    via ohf**knotthisagain
  • 19
    Never risk your new job to appease your old employer. That's a great way to end up unemployed.
    via ohf**knotthisagain
  • 20
    • mikemojc 4d ago You've already told your supervisor, so the cat is out of the bag. Next business day, email your management team that you resign and your last day is X. Then use the available time (no more) to process the hand over of responsibilities.
    via mikemojc
  • 21
    Any time they argue, cajole or spend time trying to change your mind, physically stop doing tasks and fully, slowly, engage in their useless conversation.
    via mikemojc
  • 22
    If they threaten anything, suggest it's best if you leave now to avoid unfortunate litigation. Enjoy your new gig!
    via mikemojc
  • 23
    Logical-Wasabi7402 4d ago No is a complete sentence.
    via Logical-Wasabi7402
  • 24
    TheOrgPsychologist • 4d ago Burning bridges is never about when you leave, it's about how you leave. If they do not devote resources to mitigate possible transitions, that is a business risk they endure. This is simply the downside to that risk. Stay at least two weeks, but don't delay your starting the new job.
    via TheOrgPsychologist
  • 25
    butterwheelfly00 • 4d ago The fact your boss wants you to stay two more MONTHS for their transition tells me they relied on you a ton and can't easily cover your position. They should've done something to entice you to stay if you're that necessary for function. Sounds like you were just being exploited.
    via butterwheelfly00
  • 26
    MT-Kintsugi- • 4d ago The filling of your job is their problem. You've given them ample notice as a courtesy and that is fair. Don't burn bridges, thank them for their generosity, and be firm as to when your last day is. Then go.
    via MT-Kintsugi-

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notice boss workplace-stories employee manager job tales-from-the-workplace leaving reddit story overworked-employees workplace Reddit company quitting resignation
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