Informing an employer of your intention to leave

[mike-r]

Just wondering what people's take on this is. At my current job the workload can sometimes dip to unbelievably low levels, for example I'm writing this now because I've finished all my outstanding work and sitting waiting for the phone to ring. It's not a case of me being lazy and not 'keeping busy', the work just isn't there.

Anyway, due to this and some other reasons, I won't be staying with the company. I am due to start work as a freight train driver later on in the year, although nothing has been signed and no specific date has been given. We have an issue at my current company regarding key man dependancy, and as my manager has acknowledged my lack of work, I am being tasked with researching and leading on new directions of business for the company. I have a meeting with the chairman this week regarding these things.

Aware that I'll be leaving, I feel obliged to let me them know before I become an expert on one side of the business, then pack up my st and leave, taking my knowledge with me. However, they recognise they have issues with key man dependancy so is that their issue?

I hope this makes sense. It would make more sense for new areas of the business being handed to incumbent long-term employees and maybe I can take their current work from them to ease their workload. I don't want to alienate my employer by just flippantly telling them 'I'm not staying it's st here' when I don't actually have a new job lined up yet.

Thoughts, comments, concerns?

[RedCarsAnonymous]

I've seen people give long notice periods & it never ends well, so don't tell them IMO, leave it until you have a start date for your new job & give the minimum notice.

Consider this: is it entirely beyond the realms of possibility that you might find a really interesting new direction for your current company & want to stay?

[Vaud]

"I am being tasked with researching and leading on new directions of business for the company"

How is this not filling your time? Done properly, that could be a lot of work:

SWOT/PEST analysis
Sector analysis - wider opportunities
How competitors are performing; their lead products, profitability [companies house, rumour, etc].
Who is hiring?
What legislation / other changes will impact the business?
Diversification
Other countries - barriers to entry, opportunities, etc
Potential acquisitions

etc

[edc]

Why not be pro-active with your down time and document any gaps so that you do not have to leave them in the lurch. As long as you provide the minimum notice period as specified in your terms and conditions then there is nothing to stop you giving 1, 2, 3 or whatever months notice. The company can dismiss you if it has a valid reason.

[mike-r]

There are reasons beyond a lack of workload that are motivating me to move on. I'm quite young so I want to start my career properly in an industry I enjoy and have an interest in rather than be trapped in a generic office job, but that's neither here nor there for the purposes of this thread.

RedCarsAnonymous said:

I've seen people give long notice periods & it never ends well, so don't tell them IMO, leave it until you have a start date for your new job & give the minimum notice.

Consider this: is it entirely beyond the realms of possibility that you might find a really interesting new direction for your current company & want to stay?

How did it not end well for those people? My office is very small I don't feel like anyone would be vindictive about it. I am concerned that they could justifiably make me redundant however.

I know the job may improve, but fundamentally it's not for me. Rather be outside driving trains