I am serving two month notice at the current employer.

51 Comments

1. AnonymousMay 15,2023 at 11:41AM UTC

   Instead of refusing new projects how about you approach it as 'I will be partnering with alalalalala since I'm transitioning out of this position'. Or, since you are still there do your job. If projects aren't the norm by suggesting partnering with another employee will allow for growth for someone else. If you're not looking to shorten you notice your employer still has expectations. They can cut your notice short, be prepared, as human innately stop working. Sounds like you're there. You may want to shorten that notice. Happy you've identified it's toxic for you, and hope your next journey is better. good luck.

2. Megan LeasherMay 15,2023 at 11:47AM UTC

   I support the "I will be partnering with X person since I am transitioning out of this position..." language. You are putting it out there that you are helping in a transitioning capacity and have identified who will be carrying it forward.

3. AnonymousMay 16,2023 at 3:51AM UTC

   Thank you for your guidance.

   I am supporting with the transition as well as continuing working on-going projects. I don't want them to cut my notice period but just that don't want to take over new work assignments and utilise this time to focus on my mental health, gaining confidence and prepping for the next role.

4. AnonymousMay 15,2023 at 3:30PM UTC

   Congratulations on making a positive change for yourself! Your manager should be guiding this transition and answering these questions for you. Given the generously long off-boarding runway you've provided, your manager should be working on a transition plan, and certainly not assigning new work that won't be completed in the next two months. In your shoes, I would work with the team taking over your projects to transfer the institutional knowledge and offer your support and guidance for the next two months. You shouldn't refuse new work from your manager, but rather remind them of your departure date when they assign you a task, and work up to your usual level and pace through your last day. Anything after that will become their responsibility.

5. AnonymousMay 16,2023 at 3:57AM UTC

   My manager is the reason for toxicity in the first place. I was promised an expanded role at the time of joining but my manager being insecure did not let me go beyond 1 project and 1 stakeholder. He limited my interactions and ensured I am unable to network + I am in a remote role so there weren't many chances to engage with seniors and showcase my work. Anyhow, I had confronted my issues with his manager but he did not do anything to change my situation. Therefore, I decided to find another opportunity asap and kick their asses .

6. AnonymousMay 16,2023 at 4:00AM UTC

   Thanks for your appreciation and guidance. I am ensuring a smooth transition to the next team in tandem with my manager. Hoping for a peaceful and positive exit.

7. AnonymousMay 16,2023 at 12:27PM UTC

   This is more in general than specific. I see a lot of people on this site saying they are giving one month, two months notice in a resignation. I am really not understanding why anyone wants to stay that long if the situation is toxic, Unless you have a contract or have to stay through a date to receive a bonus.

   Two weeks is a courtesy not even a requirement. I left a very toxic environment, submitted my two weeks notice and by right they should have said goodbye, since I was a key carrier and had access to cash control. They had always done that with anyone in my position that had left. Instead they had me stay for the next two weeks. I came in did my job and left each day after 8 hours. I never did anything to sabotage anything, but I was not going out of my way.

8. AnonymousMay 17,2023 at 2:38AM UTC

   2 months notice in contract

9. AnonymousMay 16,2023 at 1:37PM UTC

   I also am not understanding why you gave two months instead of two weeks. I gave two months, but it was because I retired and another higher-up retired at about the same time. Since this was a non-profit and I was not in a toxic environment like you seem to be, I wanted to ensure they had plenty of time to backfill the position. Eventually, I left after six weeks when they scheduled an all-company meeting, which did not make sense for me to go to since I was leaving, and it was a good time for a break.

   As for taking on new work items, if it is easy to get them done before your final days, that might be a reason to accept them. If the task will take the work item past your exit date, ask who they want to complete it and have them assist you. Refusal of new work items should only happen in the last week. -or- Are you looking to clear your plate and then exit?

10. AnonymousMay 17,2023 at 2:38AM UTC

    2 months notice in contract

11. Nicolette ThompsonMay 17,2023 at 12:17PM UTC

    If the project can be completed by your exit date, you have to accept it. If it’s something that will go beyond, you simply say “I’ll be leaving the company on [date] and Joe will be taking over my responsibilities, so we will be tag-teaming.” Help Joe as a data cruncher but let Joe rule the roost.

12. Patrice HerreraMay 17,2023 at 12:20PM UTC

    There are many ways to say no that do not invoke anger in the person asking. Since you are contractually obliged to stay for those last two months, I see why you are asking. Along those lines, saying something like this: I appreciate you thinking of me but right now I can’t accept anymore projects. I want to make sure when I leave, I don’t leave tasks undone that someone else will have to complete - I’m sure you understand.

    That’s it. Short and unapologetic. I’ll be curious to hear how it goes! Good luck!

13. AnonymousMay 17,2023 at 12:39PM UTC

    “I’m sure you understand“ feels so condescending.

14. AnonymousMay 17,2023 at 5:02PM UTC

    I have worked many contract jobs. My experience has been that the employer calls the shots. If you say you "can't accept any more projects," the employer could dismiss you for insubordination. This is an extreme example, but it could happen if it's a toxic environment.

15. AnonymousMay 17,2023 at 12:38PM UTC

    Unfortunately, you submitted your notice, but you did not automatically resign. It is my understanding that you work until your last day. Regardless of how you feel.

16. surfnwriteMay 17,2023 at 12:40PM UTC

    They are foolish assigning you heavy things that your'e going to have to transfer to someone else. If they want to make the decision to assign you stuff that your successor is going to to have to quickly get up to speed on them, that's on them to deal with whatever falls through the cracks as a result of that decision. I would take on whatever they give you up til the day you leave and let them deal with the transition problem.

17. GirlBossanova934974May 17,2023 at 12:46PM UTC

    I don't have any idea why an employer would continue to hand out new projects to a person who is leaving in 60 days. Makes Zero sense! I would let your manager know that you are going to put in the best effort you can to wrap things up. However, any new projects should probably be sent to other people UNLESS the work can be completed in 60 days or less. Employer beware! Do your best but let people know. You are under NO obligation to finish up projects that cannot be completed in 60 days. The onus is on the employer.

18. AnonymousMay 17,2023 at 6:48PM UTC

    This could happen if a successor hadn’t been hired nor appointed.

    Also monitor how the company is handling the projects during the notice period. Is the company treating the project like a low priority while the author is still with the company?

    (From personal experience when I was given 2 months’ working notice in being eliminated from the position, yet expected to work throughout the notice period. My last day was also the final day of the fiscal year, when projects were to be closed. This was a death sentence to my role. My projects became a lower priority with delayed responses and missed deadlines from reviewers. While the projects were done before my last day, it left a bad impression on my performance with the constant delays.)

19. AnonymousMay 17,2023 at 12:48PM UTC

    I was wondering about the two-month notice and saw your comment that it was in your contract. Going forward, I would definitely see this as a red flag when looking at a new employer. Unless this is a very specialized industry which would require an extended end-period (I’m an attorney and have had jobs in both Big Law and business, and I can’t think of one), I would run away from anywhere that seeks to basically hold you hostage if you want to leave. This ridiculously long period seems to fit with the toxic environment you have described. Good luck in your next role!

20. Stephanie MclemoreMay 17,2023 at 12:50PM UTC

    I have worked in churches of all sizes and in judicatory settings helping congregations through all sorts of challenges. First, churches can be one of the most abusive and taxing environments to work in. Churches are notorious for a lack of HR policies, evaluations, systems and all of the structure that serve as a check on toxicity. Religious workers have vastly different levels of academic training and often no leadership or organizational study. If you are in a tradition with denominational leadership please reach out. Your experience can help address culture and they are trained to help. Churches assume that everyone will be loving and fair and just, but there are just as many broken people in the church as in the rest of the world. (and I have always had to give 90 days in church settings)

    Second, do what you can do. Set hard boundaries. Consider changing phone numbers. Say no as often as you can. I would consider putting a transition calendar on paper (no new assignments after today, no appointments or coffees scheduled after a certain date, lay staff takes over programming on this date, my last Sunday is on, I move out of my office on) and post it or hand it out. Change your email message now to say that you depart on this date and may return email slow as you transition. You will need extra healing time when your vocation, your work and your faith are intertwined. I would go so far as to put a personal retreat into your leaving calendar to care for yourself. You can always use prayer language for the congregation and the leaders to justify to retreat time. Lay folks rarely understand boundaries around departure, so be clear. If they understand your manager will be constrained as well.

    Use the two month to exit well for you. You may even teach the congregation some things about staff.

21. Rub27May 17,2023 at 12:56PM UTC

    Hi there, after 15yrs in corporate, I learned the following. Toxic environments in corporations will remain the same. There's nothing you can do about it to change that. Your manager knows that you are leaving and is still giving you lots of work. then guess what he is just burning you out till the last minute. Before I used to give 2 weeks' notice, now not anymore. If they don't care for you or your well being then why should you care? Do you think HR doesn't know about toxicity in the workplace, they are well aware and they don't care. My suggestion is to take care of yourself first, and your well-being, and move on to better places. Trust me you will find the right one for you. Take care and good luck!

22. AnonymousMay 17,2023 at 1:15PM UTC

    I agree 100% I gave a two weeks notice in my last job, actually I gave an extra day to round it up to the end of my contract. I was leading the team effort and as soon as my boss got my notice started asking me to train a new employee, it was a remote group and the new employee hadn’t even receive her computer, she ended starting that last week that I was planning to just stay vaguely present seeing that the team was running smooth, since he didn’t assign any other lead. Those few days he was radio silent, those last few days. My last day I told him early to tell me what would be the process to send the equipment back, he answered at 4 asking me tp pay the printer boxing that was a 60 pounds printer. I was so mad because it took a lot to fight with his narcissistic self while he continued throwing on my face what they “did” for me, that was basically nothing because even the position was not what they advertised. I told him he was already taking my personal time with his lack of awareness and professionalism. That office employees end their job the moment they leave the office at 5, what made him believe that he could have me hanging to pretend I solve work logistics when my work relationship had ended? Even in that moment he didn’t agreed to anything, the company that had my contract told me they would pay for it and I told them that since my last day had passed and I already had personal plans for the few days before starting my new job, they would need to wait until I started my new job that was near the area of the closest FedEx office, but I wasn’t going to interrupt my days and time they were not paying. The boss must hate me, but definitely this story showed me they will still be impossible until the last minute and will try to get as much as possible from you, if I’m ever again in that position, no weeks notice.

23. AnonymousMay 17,2023 at 1:04PM UTC

    I would ask, "Is this something you want my hands in even though I am not able to see it through to the finish?" or "are you comfortable giving me new projects knowing that I'm on my way out?". You could even state that you're not comfortable. What happens if you get fired for refusing new items? Are you responsible for training anyone to fill your shoes? That could be why they still dump things on you. Of course, if they don't know the "why" behind your exit they have no reason not to be confident putting new things on your plate. Perhaps if you say "being that I will be leaving soon, I'd like to have employee X take the lead on this and I'll make sure to oversee every step". That way you're showing your leadership and interest in helping but being honest that you shouldn't be the actual lead person. And you're not "refusing" the work.

    Kudos to you for getting out of the toxic situation though and best of luck on the next endeavor!

24. Jaime FrinakMay 17,2023 at 3:11PM UTC

    There are a lot of good replies to the OG question, but these words above I couldn't have said better myself. I have been in a similar situation (although not in a contract) and gave a ridiculous amount of notice only to have it backfire on me in my face. Never Again! You are the owner of your life, so own it and do what is right for you. It is not easy navigating toxicity at work! Good luck.

25. Ann MillerMay 17,2023 at 1:07PM UTC

    You should ask your manager why if they are long term? And who should be included so that person(s) can take over while you are gone

26. Faith WalkerMay 17,2023 at 1:22PM UTC

    I am wondering why you are giving two months notice if it's a toxic environment? It is the responsibility of your supervisor to get the rest of the team up to speed and to offload your assignments, not yours. I would never provide such a long period of time until I left a company that was toxic.

    Speak with your supervisor and let her know it's time to divide your work and allow your co-workers to pick up the balance of your work.

27. Jillian KnappMay 17,2023 at 1:52PM UTC

    I agree with you Faith. I would not give that much notice, especially in a toxic environment. But yes, speak with your supervisor and work something out. Sometimes we work so hard and get trauma bonded to our jobs and feel it’s the right thing to give that amount of notice. It’s not. That work we are doing is not ours and it is the organization’s job to work things out with the soon to be vacant position.

28. AnonymousMay 17,2023 at 2:29PM UTC

    Agreed!

29. AnonymousMay 17,2023 at 1:27PM UTC

    You're technically required to keep doing your job until the end of your notice period. After you give your notice, it could be good to work out a proper transition plan to ensure that the team can pick up your work when you leave. If you can't have that conversation with your manager but you can with your coworkers, approach it that way. You probably can't decline new assignments for the next 2 months, though you can always remind your manager that that'll just be more work that needs to be transitioned.

30. Vivian LeeMay 17,2023 at 2:28PM UTC

    Also for maintaining professionalism after you have given your notice for a graceful exit.

    While you had given 2 months’ notice per your contract, the company could fire you any time during this notice period. This means changing the reason for departure from resigning to firing.

31. AnonymousMay 17,2023 at 2:38PM UTC

    Why so much notice time if you aren't willing to do your job during that period? I would either cut the period to a standard two weeks or prepare yourself to be doing your entire job until you leave. As long as the company is paying you your entire salary, it reasonable for them to expect you to do your entire role.

32. Tiana MumfordMay 17,2023 at 2:44PM UTC

    Hi there that’s tough . Maybe suggest to manager since you are leaving would it be a good idea to take on or to assist the new person. Good luck

33. AnonymousMay 17,2023 at 3:11PM UTC

    I'm sorry. I don't understand the two month notice. If you are in a toxic environment, I'd be so out of there as fast as possible. It isn't your responsibility to unload projects. I have been in toxic environments twice in my life, and each time I gave notice that this was the last day. Not going to tolerate it any more. Never had an issue about leaving that day. Pack your bags and just go!

34. Vivian LeeMay 17,2023 at 6:39PM UTC

    The author mentioned it was in their contract.

    I have worked for employers whose contracts stated a minimum 3 weeks’ advanced notice before departing. Yet be prepared to be walked out on the same day or any time during the notice period.

35. Audrey KirschMay 17,2023 at 4:12PM UTC

    Definitely let the new team take over the lead on projects. It will show that you're all for a smooth transition. For the new work items you are getting from the boss, let them know that you'll get started on them but will be including the new team in on what you're doing so that they will be in position to complete the projects once you're gone. It's admirable to give a 2 month notice but don't be surprised if they ask you to leave sooner.

36. Erica MitchellMay 17,2023 at 4:29PM UTC

    Giving notice was the right thing to do and now that you have, start delegating any new work to the team taking over. Do your best until your last day as well. You may need a letter of recommendation someday so still perform at the same level you used to.

37. Tracy MMay 17,2023 at 4:45PM UTC

    I'm going to be honest, this is terrible advice.

    Toxic work environment or not, leaving without notice is unprofessional and lacks integrity. You never know when you need a reference, want to return to the organization, or find yourself where you need to interact with them again in the future.

    You're doing the right thing giving notice. There's nothing to say that as you close out projects and hand over responsibilities that you can't bow out gracefully before the end of your notice.

38. AnonymousMay 17,2023 at 5:13PM UTC

    So, when I left a toxic workplace, I gave my two weeks notice and decided I needed to "leave strong."

    What that meant to me was having everything perfect for the person who would pick up the load from me.

    Or at least that was the plan! What actually happened is that once people realized I was leaving they started to do things their own way.

    I had one coworker (a fellow supervisor) who literally undid some of my work and started a power play to take over my responsibilities while I was still there. And because I was so set on 'ending strong', it really bothered me.

    So, don't set these uber-high expectations for yourself. In retrospect, I wish I would have said things like, "XXX can take the lead on the project and I will be here to support" and "this deliverable will not be completed by the time I leave. Is this something that someone else can take on, and I will support?"

    If I had to do it all over again, I would have told myself that my post-notice work was mostly helping others transition and support that change and NOT being a superwoman who left things in perfect shape.

39. Vivian LeeMay 17,2023 at 6:36PM UTC

    Excellent advice. Yes, this is not time to be the hero, rather a team player in the best interest of the company to setup the replacement for success. Like leaving the campground the way it was found or better.

    The company will call the shots on how the exiting colleague’s duties will be handled.

40. Lisa ApolisMay 17,2023 at 5:19PM UTC

    I commend you on your concern for your team. Leaving companies is easy - leaving your team is very difficult. I would absolutely start transferring projects to the other team members. You gave a long enough notice that you can get them up to speed and help them with bumps before your leave. Whenever you get a new project from your manager, remind them you are leaving, but lay out a project plan along with transition plans. I would meet with your manager about your transitions plans, but if they aren't interested, go with your plans. What are they going to do, fire you?

41. AnonymousMay 17,2023 at 5:47PM UTC

    As long as you are being paid you need to do some work. Why such a long notice period? Is that required in your offer letter or employment contract? If you have a new role leave sooner if you no longer want to work and/or take the time to repair your psyche and get mentally ready for what is next.

42. AnonymousMay 17,2023 at 7:47PM UTC

    I had a similar issue. My environment was infested with mold,mildew and my. As much as we all complined this top Fortune 500 company did nothing about it

    After 5 years of being exposed to it, I got really sick, sometimes throwing up 10 times a day. I asked to go out on Short term disability. They said yes, but I had to be available if there were questions. Are u kidding me?

43. MislynMay 18,2023 at 12:58AM UTC

    Take my advice and leave asap. I gave a 7 week notice and I got nowhere. I was hoping for a little intising but that didn’t happen. I trained new employee and still no thank you so much nothing. I worked for a major pos that took advantage of everyone he could. He was a total lying, narcissistic, gaslighting jerk that only cared about himself. I say leave and let them deal with your loss.

44. AnonymousMay 18,2023 at 11:10AM UTC

    I’m trying to understand why you provided an 8 week notice. Standard notice is 2 weeks unless in a leadership position and then it is generally 4-6 weeks, unless you are in that type of role.

    If the environment is toxic, why stay any longer than necessary. Provide an updated date, take some time for you to refresh before going to the next position.

45. Ann MillerMay 21,2023 at 6:07PM UTC

    True, but why should she be treated like crap????

46. AnonymousMay 22,2023 at 6:01PM UTC

    It is being treated like crap by expecting someone to do the job she is being paid for?? How?

47. AnonymousMay 18,2023 at 7:02PM UTC

    If you're going to collect a paycheck, you need to do the work assigned. Certainly, you can work with your manager to create a succession plan and keep the appropriate members of your team looped in, but you can't refuse new work assigned to you.

48. AnonymousMay 21,2023 at 6:05PM UTC

    Manager is being a butthole and needs to stop

49. AnonymousMay 20,2023 at 6:24PM UTC

    No one is dumping work on her. They are assigning work consistent with her job title. If she doesn't want to do the work - leave now.

50. Ann MillerMay 21,2023 at 6:06PM UTC

    The employee is being generous. The employer is being an imbecile mor9n whatever word you want to use. STUPIDITY. That's the reason she's leaving in the first place!!!

51. AnonymousMay 23,2023 at 3:28AM UTC

    Depends on what you agreed upon. You have to do the stuff since you have 2 months left. Don't think they would want to give you anything new before you leave if not enough time. I'm in a totally different place. Dump stuff on me while people just hanging out.