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After several months of searching, I finally landed a job offer (and a great one!). However, the timing of the holidays is horrible. When should I give notice and how?

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Anonymous

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After several months of searching, I finally landed a job offer (and a great one!). However, the timing of the holidays is horrible. When should I give notice and how?

My boss is on PTO through New Year's, but I want to give as much notice as possible. Do I wait until he returns (I am also on PTO) or do I let him know now, possibly putting a damper on his holidays?

Our team is already down more than two people we need to backfill (and has been for over 6 months!) and my departure will exacerbate the already insane workload our small team has been carrying. The company is horrible, but I hate leaving my team in a lurch (even though it is out of my hands).

Even worse, as soon as I accept the offer, it will trigger a background check which includes employment verification, so I have to give notice shortly after I accept. The timing is just bad all around.

What is the best way to handle this? TYIA! Happy Holidays!

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  1. Anonymous

    The company being horrible is a reason to give notice sooner rather than later. They haven’t cared about replacing the employees in your department who have already left, so I doubt there will be a rush to replace you. You may put a damper on your manager’s holiday, but you also may be the reason he or she starts looking for something else over their PTO & finds something sooner.

    I’d do it asap.

  2. Anonymous

    Congratulations! I would give notice as soon as possible. Timing is never great with notices but the more time allowed to transit. The better.

  3. Anonymous

    Give notice now, employment verification, if it happens, should only be start date, time in roll and title. Care about the team, however, you can't take on the workload issues. Be fair to the new company and let them know asap you've accepted.

  4. Anonymous

    If I were your boss, I'd want to know about your departure plans ASAP.

  5. Anonymous

    Thanks all. Since my boss is on PTO, should I email my notice then?

  6. Anonymous

    Sure. Copy HR or another manager who is available during the holidays. It's not about feelings or emotions. Just be clear and be professional.

  7. Anonymous

    I've been in recruiting, do not give notice until your background check has cleared. Which could take a week or 2.

    Now, ask the new company when they want you to begin? Then tell them, due to the holidays, I'd like to give a 2 week notice and start on January 13, for example. Would this be suitable as I would like to give proper notice - leave out all of your feelings of leaving the company in a bad position, yadda yadda, this has zilch to do with them.
    Or if you are so inclined, tell your boss this week, and don't worry about feelings. Once you began job searching you just made your decision to leave. With that, leave your emotions behind, close that door, and move forward. Congrats to you!

  8. Regina Brown

    Just so you know, you are not legally required to give a two weeks notice when quitting a job in the United States, it is a courtesy....period.

    You are currently on PTO, so you can give your notice when your PTO is over or whenever you prefer once the background check is completed.

    CONGRATULATIONS!!!

    BEST OF LUCK IN YOUR NEW JOB!!!

  9. Arleen

    It used to be that you give 2 weeks notice out of respect. But the tables are turned. I understand your feelings, been there. But would they give you 2 weeks notice if laid off or fired? Chances are no.

    Be prepared that they may not allow you to work there anymore after you give two weeks notice. Many companies are not honoring that and letting employees go immediately.

    i was just laid off effective immediately. I have to take care of me and it’s about survival.

  10. Anonymous

    Again, as everyone stated, wait until your background check is complete, which, especially during the holidays can take two weeks. You should negotiate your start date with your recruiter.

    I was laid off during the holidays two years ago, so take care of yourself, no one else.

  11. Zenzelai 18

    Also remember they can pull the PTO and some benefits once you give notice. Take all your benefits before leaving including stop the FSA.

  12. Anonymous

    Background checks can take up to 4 weeks. I would not give notice until after your background check has cleared.

  13. Anonymous

    Great point! I know they can vary though. I wonder is the OP can ask how long theirs take so she can give notice accordingly.

  14. Anonymous

    Do you have a concern with the background check? If not, accept and give notice.

  15. S Maisha

    I would send an email and provide enough notice so they can actively recruit to fill your position. I would give at least three weeks from the time the offer is actually accepted, but that’s your call.

  16. Anonymous

    It's courteous to make everyone aware of your plans in an ? to transition to your new gig when you have it confirmed and a start date set in writing. Do your best and if you want to help further, offer to be available to answer questions as you are available during your new job for a while.

  17. Veronica Santiago

    Your offer letter will be conditional based on the background check. They can rescind it all the way up until you have your official offer letter signed with a start date. One you have that final offer letter with an official start date - give notice. You can (hopefully) negotiate a start date that will allow you to give at least two weeks.

  18. Anonymous

    Give the notice your company requires, typically 2 weeks. Be aware, some companies despite the notice make you leave immediately incl turning off computer. Before resigning, ensure you have transferred all of your contacts, reports, etc., - things you want to keep. If you are in an office begin emptying of personal effects.

    This is JUST BUSINESS.

    Take care of yourself first and foremost.

    If the co is horrible, and you team hasn't been backfilled, this might be signs that downsizing or an m&a is in the works for 2025. Your decision to leave is very smart! Good luck to you.

  19. Anonymous

    Wait until you pass the background check and confirm a start date. Some companies make you leave immediately. Also, offers can sometimes get rescinded. Wait until it’s all final-final. You want to do the ethical thing and provide plenty of notice but at the end of the day the company looks after its own interests, as should you.

  20. Anonymous

    First things first, congratulations on the new role. I hope it's all you hoped for and more. Secondly, background checks can only check current employer if you check the box for it. Don't! Let them know that they cannot by checking the don't contact current employer box. Unless you have no previous work history at all this should not be an issue. Wait until the background check comes back clean and then give notice. You don't want to take any risk during this process. Also there should be a form to complete that gives you a copy of the background check for your records. When that comes back and you have 100% been confirmed as a-ok by your new company then give a proper 2 weeks notice in writing to your current manager. Let them know that you are available to help put together a guide for any new folks that come into your role. Good for you for getting a nice holiday present!

  21. Anonymous

    Congratulations! When does your new job want you to start? Are they negotiable? They are the ones that should be driving your decision, not some sense of loyalty to a company that could terminate you the minute you give notice. If they need help in the transition and you have the time/inclination/schedule that would allow it, you could potentially do some contract hours after starting the new job to help them out. Unless you are under a contract stipulating notice, you are not required to give notice anywhere in the US. However, less than two weeks could impact future reference potential.

  22. Anonymous

    Congratulations on your job offer. That's great news. Once you have accepted the job offer, let your current employer know of your decision. Two weeks' notice is plenty. If you want to be generous, you can extend the notice out a bit beyond that, but it's not mandatory that you do so. You may feel some kind of way about leaving your current team, but you cannot help that there are staffing shortages or that the overall company culture is horrible. These are problems for top management -HR to solve. As for the background check, most organizations tend to stick with verifying dates of employment and avoid getting into character evaluations out of fear that they could be sued. Besides, if your record with them has been stellar, with great performance and attendance reviews, there's nothing that they could say.

  23. Jennifer Tanner

    The timing is horrible for them, maybe, but I say this with all sincerity and empathy -- do what is right for YOU and do not extend yourself for a workplace you are leaving. Old ideas of "leaving a good impression" and "needing references" are B.S. Good coworkers and bosses will be there to hype you whether you give two days, two weeks or a month's notice, or wait until after New Years or they get back from PTO.

    The company will go on. Your coworkers will survive without you. They will have to.

    Give notice ASAP, rip the bandaid off, get on with your new chapter in life and focus on what comes next. The sooner you give notice, the sooner everyone can start planning.

    Any reasonable manager should ALWAYS be aware that they could lose a team member at any time for any reason and have a plan -- that's their entire job, managing things. They will manage, or not -- you take care of you. And congrats on the new position! Onward and upwards!

  24. Anonymous

    You are not responsible for how your supervisor emotionally processes a resignation.

  25. Ginette Marte

    Nowadays you're being quite considerate for even thinking about giving ample notice. I'm seeing companies fire employees upon receiving their notice.

    You need to do what's best for you!

    HR only verifies employment, that is all they're allowed to do.

    Get in that new spot and, fingers crossed, this new journey will prove to be your best!

  26. Leslie Wood

    HR here....don't give notice until after your background check has cleared. This process can take weeks to finalize, and you probably don't want to be without a job in between. Even when people are joining my own company, I advise them of the same. Should you pass this while your boss is still out on PTO, email him and your HR person, giving your two weeks notice, and you can also include a plan to transfer work - this doesn't need to be who you'll transfer it to, but a desk guide or something similar. This would be very considerate of you, which it sounds like you want to be in this case. Congratulations and good luck!

  27. Rosa Goes

    Congrats on the job offer! All you need to do is give notice of resignation as is customary and the work you will complete. It doesn't matter if the timing is "horrible " (and don't apologize either). Let them figure it out, they always do. You could give an extra week to accommodate but don't wait to give your notice and if your boss is on PTO then give notice to your boss's boss and/or HR. Good luck to you!

  28. 1stBossLady

    Since the company hasn't filled the empty positions, it seems they're taking full advantage of your willingness to "absorb" the extra workload. You. Owe. Them. NOTHING. Apparently, they already got it out of you. However, I fully agree with the H.R. comment about ensuring your background check clears *first* . Congrats! Good luck!

  29. Celena Barton

    Give your notice immediately. Sorry to say it, but the company doesn’t care that much about their employees. You do what is best for you.

  30. Anonymous

    Submit your resignation to your boss, HR, and whomever is covering for your boss while on PTO.

    Best wishes on your new position!

  31. yvette finley PHR

    Congratulations on the new role! Considering the other factors you listed, I also recommend preparing your response if they attempt a counter offer.

  32. Lindsey Osterhout

    Let whoever is covering g for your boss know.

  33. Ann Rogers

    Let HR or whomever is in charge know ASAP. This is your life and future. Congrats!

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