My employer approached me today asking if I had plans to be staying with his school in the coming months. I told him that I have been looking for another job and that I will notify him with as much time as I possibly can. I do have the possibility of leaving for a new job in the next week or two hopefully. This is a job that I have worked there before and they call the week before they want you to come in.

At my previous place of employment I gave a two weeks and my boss gave me the cold shoulder in return. So, I am a little burned and fear bad reference at the same time if I give less than two weeks notice. [I know I don't have to give one by law and that my contract of employment says that both parties can end the contract at anytime. I'm also an independent contractor for my place of employment, not an employee.] What should I do? I have to pay the bills and I can't give up the opportunity to actually start having money coming in again.

 

I would try to give two weeks notice if possible; you need to be the good guy. Your new employer will take notice and know you will do the right thing if you decide to move on with them.
And be aware that your old employer may ask you to leave earlier or even that day, once your notice is official. If that occurs, ask your new job if you could show earlier, if released from your current responsibilities.

Oh sorry, I am not a recruiter. Just life experiance, take it for what its worth.

 

I just don't want to miss the the boat again. I missed my chance last March b/c I was in school. I have been working at re-building my name with this place for 6 months. Emailing and calling once a month. I also was previously working for this place on and off from 2004-2008. Great internal recommendations from different levels of management.

I have also been trying to get opinions about this for when the time comes, b/c I know that it is going to be a tricky situation. The reasons for leaving are not just a new job, but the lack of working and having to sit around not getting paid. (amongst other reason) Maybe I am looking for a the right reason to think that its ok to just give as much notice as I can. I don't want to offend my boss or stiff him, but how do I know that he wouldn't play fair too.

 

This industry is incredibly small and gets even smaller as you progress through your career. Never, ever burn a bridge...even if it seems insignificant. You just never know when you might run into that person, or perhaps a good friend of theirs, in the future....maybe at an interview and they are the interviewer.

You don't know if your boss is going to "play fair." Welcome to the real world. You wouldn't know if he was going to play fair regardless of the position you hold, regardless of the company. Likewise, he's trusting you are going to play fair. You did tell him you would give as much notice as possible, right?

Look at it from his perspective. If/when you leave he has to fill that slot. If you don't give notice then he is scrambling to fill the vacancy while your co-workers pick up your slack. You really have to give him credit for approaching you directly and asking rather than just listening to possible rumors and acting.

I find it interesting how much stock you put into this "other" place as far as recommendations, but completely disregard your current employer.

You're playing a dangerous game - best advice is to be straight-up honest. If you can give notice..then do. As much as possible. Then you'll be able to sleep at night too. And...not have to worry if you made somebody mad that might come back on you years down the road.

Good luck!

 

Let me ask you this then. Well...If company B on the field asked you to come aboard with them tomorrow and fly a trip tomorrow to fill in for a guy who left quickly or died and they told you were hired if you flew the trip would you take. Is that possible?

A company comes to me and offers me a job and they need me to start next week, do you take it? Because if you don't, you won't have the job. They don't care...Next person on the list please. If I am not making my bills, getting $50 of pay a week, and have nothing to do at this job but answer the phones for free...what would you do? Another staff member can easily pick up my flights, b/c there not doing much either. I just don't think I am getting my point across here. Giving 2 weeks notice I would if I could. If they called me and told me that I would start in 2 weeks, then yes. Most likely they won't. Sorry.

As for "putting stock" in another company. Yes, why not? People at my previous employers like me, saw that I worked hard, and thought I was a good person. Personal and professional letters of recommendation. How much are those worth? If you had great work history and one bad bump, would that affect the rest of your life? All my current employer sees me as is lazy, b/c there is nothing to do but answer the phones since there isn't enough work for me. I can't get out and be a go getter, b/c I have to be at work.

I have looked at it from his point of view. Again I told him that I was looking for other employment and asked him if he has any resumes on file. He told me that he has tons. I'm trying to soften the blow, but whats not to say that he gives me a bad reference b/c he thinks i'm lazy even if I gave him 2 weeks.

 

I don't think you understood my point. If you have the opportunity, give notice. I am not saying don't take another job if offered, that type of situation happens. From your post you made it sound like you weren't going to tell your boss if you got the job because he wouldn't "play fair." What I'm saying is be open with your current boss. Let him know what's up so he can plan as well. He'll respect you more for it.

 

Lori, I would tell my boss and I will. But, just know that I won't be given an option with this situation. What can I say to make him possibly feel better? Thank you for your advice.

 

He already has a feeling something is going on - otherwise he wouldn't have asked in the first place. I'd just let him know that another company MIGHT be calling you soon and it may be short notice. Tell him you'll do everything in your power not to leave him high and dry and that you will help him to cover any uncovered flying. Whether that's helping him find another pilot or if you can cover the shift.... If he sees you bending over backwards to try and help him he will respond in kind. That doesn't mean he'll take you up on it.

 

Alight. I will most likely have to tell him, "XXXXX I know you always saw that we need to work together and be a "family" but I need to let you know that there is a place that I might going to work that requires me to give short notice."


"XXXXX can have my student and him and XXXXX should be able to cover the mornings till noon. (3 hrs need to cover me a day) A part-time guy might be able to help for a few days as well."

 

There is one thing that I find disturbing about this thread. You mention your boss, your employer, and not being able to go out and hustle because you have to be at work but not earning any money, and answering the phones for free. You also say that you are an independent contractor.

I think that your employer has illegally misclassified you as an independent contractor, leaving you to pay the extra taxes and not be covered by workman's compensation insurance.

Joe