Has anyone ever resigned while on vacation?

24 Comments

1. AnonymousJuly 30,2023 at 3:36PM UTC

   Congrats on your pending offer. Depending on your situation you may want to prepare for them to tell you not to come back. Or tell you you need to work out the 2 weeks.

   I’ve seen both happen.

   So make sure you have what you need/want to take with you before you resign.

2. AnonymousJuly 30,2023 at 4:19PM UTC

   Thank you for the reminder to get all my files!

3. AnonymousJuly 30,2023 at 6:29PM UTC

   Of course.

4. AnonymousJuly 31,2023 at 11:01AM UTC

   Yes, it can count. It's not the best exiting experience but yes.

5. Cyndy TrivellaJuly 31,2023 at 12:44PM UTC

   Technically, yes. However, please consider how you want to use this company in the future. If they are on your resume, they are fair game to be contacted by a future employer. Also, something many people don’t realize is that companies, depending on the industry, can continue background checks on employees after they are hired. Just something to consider as you make your decision.

6. AnonymousJuly 31,2023 at 1:03PM UTC

   If you dont want to burn bridges, please consider WORKING your 2 week notice rather than using vacation for part of it especially if you will leave them in a bad position by doing so.

7. AnonymousJuly 31,2023 at 4:25PM UTC

   You really don't owe notice to a company at all, unless you signed something agreeing to that, and it's not an individual employee's job to worry about the company being in "a bad position." A good leader is prepared to handle this kind of thing, and will be able to shuffle responsibilities until the position can be backfilled.

8. AnonymousJuly 31,2023 at 1:33PM UTC

   Does your company require two weeks notice? What do the policies say about using PTO after you give notice?

9. AnonymousJuly 31,2023 at 3:20PM UTC

   We take time whenever we need it. No policy on giving up your PTO if you give notice.

10. Heather (she/her)July 31,2023 at 4:24PM UTC

    Unless your company requires it, two weeks notice is just a nice to have not a requirement. You don't owe that to anyone, and the idea that you do is an outdated notion that ignores the transactional nature of work. With that, I'd say that yes, your vacation time still counts as time toward your notice as long as you don't have a company handbook/policy that says otherwise.

    That being said, it's important to remember that your current boss and/or company could potentially impact your jobs in the future (you never know who knows someone) so it's worth considering that there could be a negative outcome if you decide to cut your notice shorter. You should also consider the possibility that when you give notice, they may just ask you not to come back. I don't know how common that is, but I have seen it happen in a few roles.

11. AnonymousJuly 31,2023 at 4:39PM UTC

    In my old position in pharmaceuticals, when you gave notice, you most likely were done. They asked you to leave immediately with pay. They made sure to pick up your car, samples, documents, computer, everything within a matter of days. They don't want you to expose your customers to any bad blood you may have for the company.

12. AnonymousJuly 31,2023 at 5:14PM UTC

    They could decide to let you go sooner. I would personally wait until you come back and sign the other offer letter before giving notice. Then if you want offer to leave sooner if you prefer to get out sooner. They may not want that but perhaps they will. Don't burn the bridge you never know when you might need references and short notice while on vacay might be enough to taint a good reference.

13. AnonymousAugust 2,2023 at 12:21PM UTC

    With some people, you don't need their reference...and you certainly don't need to list them on your resume either.

14. AnonymousAugust 2,2023 at 4:45PM UTC

    Yes, however these days many companies use what is called a backchannel approach and reach out to people you have NOT listed. Burning the bridge is never a good idea, just in case.

15. AnonymousAugust 2,2023 at 6:10PM UTC

    This is not a new tactic. The longer you work, you realize what small world it is (and in some industries smaller than others) and chances are, someone you interviewed with knows someone where you currently work or previously worked and whether a good idea or not, they will reach out.

16. AnonymousAugust 3,2023 at 7:40PM UTC

    That is so true--and this is equally important for employers to keep in mind, since they want to retain and recruit great employees, well, word gets around in terms of how staff are treated.

17. AnonymousJuly 31,2023 at 5:28PM UTC

    I have not done it personally BUT, I have seen people do it. Specifically in order to provide adequate two week notice.

18. AnonymousAugust 1,2023 at 12:47PM UTC

    Yes, though check your company policy. Some companies do not allow you to take PTO after you give notice. And as always, they could decide to terminate you immediately after giving your notice. Congrats on the job offer.

19. Hold on Lee LouAugust 1,2023 at 1:23PM UTC

    Get the job offer and officially accept before giving notice. Then check your company policy.

20. Coach Nancie Kay ShumanAugust 1,2023 at 2:17PM UTC

    Yes, you can give notice while on vacation and use the weeks vacation as part of your 2 weeks. As others have stated, check with your companies policies. Also, check with your State and local laws, they may choose to change your termination date to the day you give notice, but if the vacation pay has been earned per our benefits package, they cannot withhold it from you. So, ultimately, you may be out a weeks pay, but you should be covered for 1.

    PS: I have been in a situation where someone took their annual leave, walked in on the Monday afterwards and packed their desk. They spent the day finishing things up and dropped their badge off as they walked out the door. Conversely, I have see people come back from their leave and be handed a box. You know the company you are leaving better than we do. Base your choice on that.

21. Elise PilkingtonAugust 1,2023 at 8:19PM UTC

    Yes. To be honest, I’ve never found the two weeks of an employee working out their notice to be all that valuable. Their heart is somewhere else, you know?

    Just make sure you have the offer locked down first.

22. AnonymousAugust 2,2023 at 12:19PM UTC

    I actually accepted an offer, then had a 2 week vacation approved and paid for, and upon returning, I resigned 3 days later! And why did I do this? Because the employer first off gave me HELL for wanting to take my entitled vacation time, and I came across an email from one of the partners re-considering my employment with them! So apparently, they were already thinking of having a little "talk" with me. About what? Not sure, since I was a stellar employee. Perhaps I was not a doormat or passive enough for them. So I found a much better opportunity - and left them hanging - which they TOTALLY deserved!! Lesson here - treat your employees with courtesy and appreciation or someone else will.

23. AnonymousAugust 3,2023 at 7:42PM UTC

    And before I resign, I make sure I take ALL my PTO!! Or get a confirmation of what number of days I get paid out on.

24. AnonymousAugust 4,2023 at 8:07PM UTC

    I would secure the job offer with the other company first, come back and work a half day and then quit. If they were firing you, are they going to give you a two weeks notice? No!!! So, the old school polite philosophy is nice and all but today, these companies are not loyal to you so why should you be loyal to them!