How did it get to this point? But it's finally inevitable

[HI Bill]

Funny how employee's think they are "special" and valued by the company. Right up until they get escorted off the premises

OP -> Like many folks said, Hold off on the Notice until you get your bonus, and use up vacation days now for a nice Christmas !!

Yes, I'll never forget about a VP of my past company. He went on a business trip. When he returned, security met him at the entrance to his local office, and escorted him to his desk to pick up his personal belongings, after confiscating his phone and laptop with no prior notice. He was done. Still don't know what he did to deserve that treatment!

 

[Koolau]

Yes, I'll never forget about a VP of my past company. He went on a business trip. When he returned, security met him at the entrance to his local office, and escorted him to his desk to pick up his personal belongings, after confiscating his phone and laptop with no prior notice. He was done. Still don't know what he did to deserve that treatment!

I had to clean out two of my direct reports desks and MAIL them their stuff. Both were SERIOUS discipline problems (I won't give the details.) Suffice to say, sad as it was (I actually liked both personally), it was a lot easier to do my supervisory duties without them dragging everyone else down with their "issues."

It happens, so don't let it happen to you. WAIT for the bonus - then give notice. Heh, heh, wait for that bonus check to CLEAR. Then give notice.

 

[Aramis]

Update! Yesterday was my last day. I'm out!

I decided to give my notice in late January, for the the middle of April and I indicated that I would otherwise leave in before the end of March (but after the bonus payment was due), and use all my carried-over vacation days. I know it was a bit of a risk, but my boss readily agreed, approving the 3 weeks vacation, and confirming my bonus entitlement. I guess I was a valuable employee after all; SME with no one else able to step in. They would have had to hire to replace me while winging it). I decided to work a few extra weeks (the longer term weather forecast was not going good - lol) and I was told I could extend my stay for as long as I wanted - meaning until they were able to hire my replacement and have me transition. I thanked them, but declined.

Thanks to everyone for the advice and engagement on this thread. It helped me work through my thoughts.

Yesterday, I posted a few comments on the strange feelings associated with walking out of the office for the last time. Some will probably relate, others may think me something of a melancholy fool. That's the beauty of life, isn't it? We all have different experiences, baggage, hopes, and fears, and the same "milestone" can mean so many different things. It is nice to have a non-judgmental communal bucket like this group into which one can dump all of those emotions and thoughts, stir it up, take what one needs and push forward.

See you in the Forums.

 

[Jerry1]

Congratulations!

 

[Koolau]

Update! Yesterday was my last day. I'm out!

Excellent. Congratulations on your new found freedom. Keep us postee on your FIRE'd life!

 

[brydanger]

YESSS!

So proud of you! I read your first post and scrolled to the end fully expecting/anticipating that you hit the pause button yet again, or that they offered you more money to stay and you took it.

Huge congrats on taking the leap!
I hope you're enjoying (though no doubt still in the transition phase)!!