Do you think there's a "right way" to leave a job?

3 Comments

1. Crystal DerstineMarch 15,2022 at 2:02PM UTC

   The 'right way' is to just give your two weeks notice. That's the standard accepted time, unless you are higher up in a company and its written into your employee agreement to give a longer notice. If the company needs time to replace you it could be a month or more that is acceptable. If you've given your notice, then there's nothing they can do to stop you from leaving if that's what you desire.

2. AnonymousMarch 15,2022 at 4:12PM UTC

   A proper notice of 2 plus weeks, working with your manager to draft a transition plan, working to clean up outstanding items, leaving notes for your replacement on login credentials for online sites needed for research, online filings, list of key people both internally and externally with their titles contact info and notes on what they can help with.

   No drama in leaving. Meaning no distracting announcement or conversations until your last day or so.

3. AnonymousMarch 18,2022 at 3:35PM UTC

   I agree no drama and a graceful exit are definitely right in every situation. Definitely don't tell outside vendors that you are leaving before you give your company official notice.

   Going in a slightly different direction than what the others before me have said, the "right way" to leave a job is in a way that won't cause you guilt in the future. A lot of companies have "10 business days" in their contracts, but if that isn't there, then it might not be necessary. Think about what you would appreciate if someone else was leaving and all of their work was dumped on you and do that. Whether it's lists of tasks, procedures, introductions to vendors etc, those things should be done before you leave.

   If you get most of it done before your notice is given, then I don't personally think that giving 2 weeks is necessary unless you are contractually obligated.