Quitting my job question

[exhawg]

Yesterday I accepted a new job so I'm trying to figure out how to handle this with my current employer. This is my first post college job, and I've been here for 3.5 years. I have 2 weeks of vacation on the table right now so I would like to know if the company has to pay me for that or if I just get screwed out of it if I put in my 2 weeks now. My idea is to schedule a week off starting the day I start my new job and then put in my 2 weeks when I only have a week of actual work left. I don't want to piss off my current boss, but I don't want to get screwed out of my vacation either. I am also going to propose to him that I continue to do some of my work as an outside consultant so that I can pull in even more money. There is one aspect of my job that I am an expert at, but nobody else wants to do so I could probably spend an hour or 2 every day from home or during my lunch break. What do you all think about my vacation problem? I appreciate your help.

 

[AJHawkfan]

Personally, I'd do it Costanza-style. Drag their world series trophy around the parking lot with a chain.......dribble red sauce on Babe Ruth's jersey......that sort of fun thing.

Seriously though, if you give them your 2 weeks notice before using your vacation, you can most likely kiss it good bye.

Good thought on working out a consultant gig though. Just make sure it doesn't interfere with your new job at all. Your old boss likes you, your new boss doesn't. At least not yet. If you're spending any of your new company's time or energy working on your old gig, your new boss will likely not appreciate it.

 

[exhawg]

Personally, I'd do it Costanza-style. Drag their world series trophy around the parking lot with a chain.......dribble red sauce on Babe Ruth's jersey......that sort of fun thing.

Seriously though, if you give them your 2 weeks notice before using your vacation, you can most likely kiss it good bye.

Good thought on working out a consultant gig though. Just make sure it doesn't interfere with your new job at all. Your old boss likes you, your new boss doesn't. At least not yet. If you're spending any of your new company's time or energy working on your old gig, your new boss will likely not appreciate it.

I wouldn't even let the new job know I'm spending time on another job and I wouldn't mess with it while I'm at the new job. Just in the morning before work, at night after work, or from my car at lunch. The thing that is going to suck most is my BP time.

 

[buckeyefool]

Agree with AJ about the vacation, unless the boss decides to be cool about it. I actually had a boss of mine give me a week of vacation that was added on after my two weeks. Since you have been there for almost 4 years he might do that. And it might help since you want to possibly do the consulting for them to.

 

[wadc45]

Best thing at this point is probably to be up front and honest. What's the worst that could happen? You miss out on those two weeks of vacation but get to start a new job.

 

[hoat]

Best thing at this point is probably to be up front and honest. What's the worst that could happen? You miss out on those two weeks of vacation but get to start a new job.

I agree with this. Honesty IMO is always the best way to go. Especially if you are trying to keep doing work for them in a consultant capacity. I would think the old boss would appreciate it, and if he's a stand up guy will give you some of your vacation time or buy it back. Let us know how it goes and good luck on the new job.

 

[BB73]

Whether or not you lose your vacation depends on the company. Are you able to find out what has happened to others that have left without giving away your intentions?

Some companies will pay for unused vacation time when you leave. Is there an employee manual that discusses how time is accrued, and when you're entitled to take it?

 

[StooGrimson]

Best thing at this point is probably to be up front and honest. What's the worst that could happen? You miss out on those two weeks of vacation but get to start a new job.

Agreed. Don't put yourself in a bad situation, and just be up front with them. Who knows...you may end up having to apply for a job there again someday or need them as a reference. Besides, a lot of places will compensate you at an hourly or daily rate for unused vacation regardless of why you left the company. Check out your employee manual to see if you get cash for those vacation days.

 

[Piney]

Dang it... BB73 stole my answer

You have to go back to find your job manual or paperwork when you got the job. Because the answer will depend on the company and how they view vacation time. Because I have been at jobs that will pay you your due vacation time in your last check, and then some that say screw you.

But to make sure I emailed my fiance who is the Assistant HR Director of her company to check it out.

 

[exhawg]

I just read through the employee handbook and it says employees are not paid for unused vacation time. Maybe I'll put in for the vacation and put in 2 and a half week notice next week. Sadly they just turned over a chunk of the web development to me today. I didn't have the heart to tell them not to bother since I'm only going to be here a little over 2 weeks.

 

[Piney]

The issue is if you use your vacation and then once you come back give your notice would that endanger getting a consultant role with them?

The funny thing is my fiance said "I'd have him be sneaky and take the vacation before he left and give notice when he comes back" (Gotta love my woman, eh?) But the problem comes in when after you give your notice your boss will know what you did and why you did it and it might kill any chance to continue working there part time.

But that part is your call.

 

[exhawg]

The issue is if you use your vacation and then once you come back give your notice would that endanger getting a consultant role with them?

The funny thing is my fiance said "I'd have him be sneaky and take the vacation before he left and give notice when he comes back" (Gotta love my woman, eh?) But the problem comes in when after you give your notice your boss will know what you did and why you did it and it might kill any chance to continue working there part time.

But that part is your call.

I have a good story worked out for the vacation, and I don't have to tell the current boss I'm starting while on vacation. My parents actually are going down to MB for spring break that week. I really want to get paid for 2 jobs for at least a week.

 

[NorthShoreBuck]

Depends on your company. In some situations if you give your two weeks and have vacation the company would prefer you not come back and go ahead and use your vacation. I have heard more than one situation where a two week notice resulted in an escort out the door. Do you have access to customers or trade secrets?

 

[exhawg]

Depends on you company. In some situations if you give your two weeks and have vacation the company would prefer you not come back and go ahead and use your vacation. I have heard more than one situation where a two week notice resulted in an escort out the door. Do you have access to customers or trade secrets?

They would be totally screwed if I don't at the very least train people what I do. That's the bonus of doing something that nobody else does. Whenever I miss time during my busy period people tell me how they hate my clients and don't know how I deal with them. "I'm a god damn people person" I guess. :p

 

[NorthShoreBuck]

It sounds like you have some leverage, just try to be above board.

Shame on your company for not having others cross trained. I am in the same boat as you in that I have critical skills that no one here knows how to do. I also deal with the nasty customers and establish all pricing. I always ask what they would do if I quit, died or was fired. They act as if those are not an option. If I leave I will give a three week notice and it will all be used as vacation time.

Good luck and keep us posted.