I am going to grad school on a full scholarship and don’t know when to tell my company.

I am going to grad school on a full scholarship and don’t know when to tell my company.

I am headed to grad school in the fall and I’ve been holding off telling my company for fear they will let me go early. I have a big trip coming up and was planning on telling them in July when I return, giving them approximately 1 month to plan. Is that fair?

I was considering telling them earlier but I would be sabotaging myself without a paycheck. I’ve saved a fair amount but don’t feel comfortable leaving work even earlier than I have to as I’ll be attending full time and want to save as much money as possible.

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17 Comments

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  1. Anonymous

    You don't owe your company any more than 2 weeks notice (unless you have a written contract stating otherwise). Take care of you.

  2. Anonymous

    Your life is none of their business and there is no need to even tell them why you're leaving. If the situation were reversed they would likely not even give you ANY notice.

    When you give notice be gracious so as not to burn bridges and ask for referrals in the future, but share no more than absolutely necessary.

    One of the others posts today is literally titled "your manager is not your friend", and honestly neither are your co-workers. Lessons I've learned the hard way by being nice and too trusting. I have now learned to compartmentalize my life and relationships because otherwise you are one who loses.

  3. Becca A.

    I agree with the anon below me and want to add that your plan of giving them 1 month is the other expected norm in some industries so go with that if you can. More so, to keep your checks coming till you start. Keep this in mind though, after you give your notice if your company decides that they do not want you to continue working through the remainder of it then you STILL get to collect your full hours pay!

    Many blessings to you for continuing your higher education. It will make you a more fierce candidate in the workforce there after!

  4. Kia Harris

    30 days is great! Companies will serve ensure your well being first and maintain your integrity during the transition. If you aren’t management 30 days is a lot !

  5. Anonymous

    2 weeks is sufficient.

  6. Anonymous

    Have fun on your trip and enjoy the heck out of it. Once Grad school starts you will be so busy. In the USA there is no requirement to give notice unless you have an actual contract that states otherwise. So I am safe to say you could give a one day notice and be just fine.

    Having said that in order not to burn any bridges - 2 weeks is a courtesy.

    Remember a company can only say legally when you started and when you left and verify your job title.

  7. misskelleyp

    Actually, there are zero legal requirements on what the company can say. If they lie, you can sue, of course, but as long as they are telling the truth (facts) the company can say anything they like. It's a huge misconception that there are legal requirements around what a reference can say. Many companies have policies around what can be said because they are worried about liability, but again, no legal issues are actually involved.

  8. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist

    You and Anonymous are talking about two different things. You're talking about references - she's talking about employment verification. Which is what most companies do these days. The last three companies I've worked for didn't check references.

  9. Mary Pool

    I do not understand the need posted here quite often to give a company more than two weeks' notice. Once you provide notice, you no longer have value to the company, and you will be treated differently. If layoffs exist, you will be on top of the list, and plum assignments go to others. Two weeks is fine unless you are in a management or leadership position. What possible justification exists for giving more than two weeks' notice when it could only hurt you financially? It makes zero sense to me. This is a company, not your family.

  10. Anonymous

    Stick to your plan, one month notice seems quite fair and reasonable.

  11. misskelleyp

    Stick to your plan. Giving a month's notice is more than the norm, so that's very courteous. I agree that telling them earlier could sabotage your plans.

  12. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist

    One month is more than fair - 2 weeks is standard.

  13. Anonymous

    Like everyone else said— stick to your plan!! I was in a similar situation in a previous role and provided one month’s notice despite knowing a bit sooner, like you. Sometimes I felt a bit weird about it too (don’t want to burn bridges, want to be honest, etc.), but your plan is more than fair!

  14. Anonymous

    Do what is best for you. If you are worried they will tell you to leave as soon as you give your notice - only give them two weeks. Seriously.

    One month is plenty - depending on the organization, it could even be too much. People get weird once they know you are leaving.

    Do what is best for you!

  15. Anonymous

    2 weeks is standard and appropriate. You don't even have to mention that you're going to grad school if you don't want to.

  16. Mich.Fr.

    Two weeks is plenty. Any more time, and it could backfire. Speaking from experience.

  17. Myra Dykes

    a month is plenty and you don't have to give a reason

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