First post. When to give notice without screwing company

[Unpaintedhuffhines]

As others have noted, wait until RSUs vest, then announce retirement. While I am firmly in the "give 2 weeks" club, you don't have to be definitive if you don't want to. Q: "When do you want your last day?" A: "I was thinking no reason to drag this out, so a couple of weeks, but if you need me to stay around a few days longer, let's discuss."

My boss wanted me to stay a month to cover some horrendous global meetings (think: about 19 different country meetings, each 90 minutes, doing a sales readout and us preparing, covering them, asking pertinent questions, summarizing the key points afterwards). In other words, a TON of work, not to mention meetings at quite rude times of day. My reply to him "no, I don't think I want to do that." his response: "I don't blame you."

 

[CardsFan]

Just for the record, a longer notice CAN work to everyone's advantage, but it very much dependent on the company, your history with them, your position, and how you are perceived by peers and the higher ups.

In my case, we were basically a small company (about 200 people) within MegaCorp (30,000people). I had been there 28 years. I knew virtually everyone on a first name basis, including all of management. Heck, I was on the interview committee for many of the folks above me. I worked my way up from mechanical engineer, to Project Engineer to Project Manager (with other stops in between). So, end of May 2015, with a couple of projects waiting assignment, I told my boss he should assign others because I planned to retire by Labor Day.

I was asked if I would stay through the year end, part time if I wanted. I said sure, but I have a 6-8 week trailer trip planned for late Sep-early Nov. No problem, you can make your hours, work remotely, what ever you want.

As opposed to the "dead man walking" scenario, it was actually a very pleasant slow good-by.

I never asked the question, but I always suspected the wait until year end helped the VP in charge protect someone else.

But, I was prepared to be walked the day I gave notice. Did not expect it, and it did not happen, but "be prepared".

 

[HI Bill]

Wait until after the RSUs and then give notice. Two weeks is enough...

Agree. Wait for the RSUs and give only two week's notice. Lean staffing is your company's issue, not yours. I gave three month's notice to be kind to my client. As expected, the company waited until the last two weeks to actually transition much of what needed to be transitioned. As the three months wore on, I felt myself becoming less and less relevant as my projects were transferred to other project managers. 2 weeks is enough, unless you REALLY care about not leaving your coworkers with too much work load. Most companies lay people off with less than two week's notice.

 

[old medic]

It is very situational depending on your relationship with the employer and the employer's culture.

Even before I reached my 30 year mark, I let them know that I was planning on retiring. I loved my job, and most of the folks I worked with. I ended up working 3 more years. As a supervisor, I had to officially give one month notice to the county HR dept. But they had also already processed my retirement request with the state, that is required to be submitted 90-120 before your retirement date.

 

[Lorenzo]

What's wrong with me? Others recommended the same but I have a pit in my stomach about it.

It is exactly the type of person who is diligent and conscientious enough to retire early who would fret over whether the standard 2-weeks notice is enough. You're "wrong" only in the sense that you are not like most of your peers. For purposes of giving your notice, consider what most of your peers would do, and as much as it may go against the traits that have gotten you to early retirement, do what they would do in this instance.

 

[sparky08]

I tried to be nice. Gave long notice despite everyone here saying 2 weeks.

It was a mistake. Although my boss and team appreciated it, The Corp didn't care. Not only that, they gave me some stressful post-separation problems after I left. (I can't really discuss those, but they were extremely stressful and purely a product of The Corp's heartlessness.)

Same situation for me. New ownership really screwed me over.

I stayed long enough to wrap up a few projects I had going. I think it was about six weeks.

 

[skyking1]

Just for the record, a longer notice CAN work to everyone's advantage, but it very much dependent on the company, your history with them, your position, and how you are perceived by peers and the higher ups.

In my case, we were basically a small company (about 200 people) within MegaCorp (30,000people). I had been there 28 years. I knew virtually everyone on a first name basis, including all of management. Heck, I was on the interview committee for many of the folks above me. I worked my way up from mechanical engineer, to Project Engineer to Project Manager (with other stops in between). So, end of May 2015, with a couple of projects waiting assignment, I told my boss he should assign others because I planned to retire by Labor Day.

I was asked if I would stay through the year end, part time if I wanted. I said sure, but I have a 6-8 week trailer trip planned for late Sep-early Nov. No problem, you can make your hours, work remotely, what ever you want.

As opposed to the "dead man walking" scenario, it was actually a very pleasant slow good-by.

I never asked the question, but I always suspected the wait until year end helped the VP in charge protect someone else.

But, I was prepared to be walked the day I gave notice. Did not expect it, and it did not happen, but "be prepared".

Great post Cardsfan, One size does not fit all. Mine will be slow roll and I will always be at the phone for them. It is a small family owned business. If they want me to come consult on a difficult job I will do it if it does not affect plans.

 

[JoeWras]

Same situation for me. New ownership really screwed me over.

I stayed long enough to wrap up a few projects I had going. I think it was about six weeks.

I think what it comes down to is OP has to know their company. A small family owned company with less than 30 employees is different than any company with 50+, and especially 1000+.

In a bigger corp, you want to honor and help your co-workers or boss, but the Corporation Doesn't Care. I can't emphasize that enough. They have procedures in place that don't care about anything but a process. You may get chewed up and spit out by The Corp, even if your co-workers and boss come to your aid.

So unless it is super small, I say go with the minimum your contract requires, or 2 weeks if there is not contract, which is a long standing unwritten standard.

 

[TickTock]

Get the RSUs. Then give whatever notice you think is appropriate. I suggest two weeks, unless there are other considerations.

I gave notice the day after I confirmed the yearly bonus had been deposited. I gave a bit over a month's notice, because my w*rk/turnaround period was 14 days on a major construction project that was towards its end and I wanted to give my employer the end of the current rotation plus two more for continuity and handover. They agreed, but I was prepared to be told to fly home that day and not come back.

 

[Koolau]

They agreed, but I was prepared to be told to fly home that day and not come back.

Or worse. Find out they'd cancelled your return trip!

 

[TickTock]

Or worse. Find out they'd cancelled your return trip!

Heh. Okay, I didn't even consider that possibility. I did have that much faith in my management.

 

[xaviemb]

It's an amazing position to be in to be ready (or willing) to walk away from a job... but knowing the company might want to keep you. I'd negotiate a draw down on your time that works in your favor. Maybe consider offering to work remotely 8-10 hours a week (or to come in sporadically) for a few months to a year, to help train your replacement... while collecting half of what you would normally get for working full time.

What's the worst that could happen? They fire you

 

[Koolau]

Heh. Okay, I didn't even consider that possibility. I did have that much faith in my management.

My megacorp would never have cancelled a trip home either but I had a buddy who went on a 2nd honeymoon IIRC to Mexico as he and his DW were having some "issues" in their marriage. His boss called him home after a day! Something hit the fan in the dept. and the boss wouldn't give an inch or even a day! Now, that's cold!