Computer Jobs -- How to Resign Professionally?

MikeDawg asks: "I submitted a letter of resignation yesterday, and today I'm at home posting stories to my weblog and Slashdot. I gave my employer two weeks notice, and almost immediately, I had my accounts disabled, and my permissions revoked on all the computers at my work, which makes me unable to do anything in my position of being a 'Systems Analyst/Systems Administrator'. I spoke with the HR rep, and gave her my notice yesterday, then I spoke with her today about what had happened to my access, and they honored my resignation... 2 weeks early. (Luckily, I'm compensated in pay for the next two weeks). What I want to know is, how do you computer and IT professionals out there put in your notice of resignation (if you are with a permanent employer, and not contractual), and not get immediately shutdown, and shunned away from the computers? The CIO immediately thought I was going to do something terrible to the system, and destroy accounts, and any other activity that I have access to, but I was giving him notice that I was leaving. What is the professional thing to do?"

Comments

Re:Sounds like you did the right thing

[slapout]

So I guess the thing to do is setup something before you leave that'll go off a couple months after you're gone. And then give your two week notice.

Re:What did you expect?

[Alioth]

Most people spend that time backing up code to personal computers or otherwise stealing IP belonging to the employer.

No they don't. And if they did, most people know before they hand in their resignation that they are about to hand in their resignation, and if they had dishonest intent, could do all of this long before handing in their notice.

Re:What did you expect?

[phision]

And what about this scenario: the system crashes totally. The next day you give your resignation letter. Will you not be blamed for the crash?

Re:What did you expect?

[BurntNickel]

Most people spend that time backing up code to personal computers or otherwise stealing IP belonging to the employer.

I'd say that is an overly broad generlization.

Re:What did you expect?

[programmerar]

Most people spend that time backing up code to personal computers or otherwise stealing IP belonging to the employer.

Most professionals do that in the week before they resign!

Re:What did you expect?

[Glamdrlng]

they realize you would have/could have committed nefarious acts _before_ giving notice

This is just a matter of sound risk management. An employee who is on the way out is an employee with little to no fear of repercussions, and therefore presents more of a risk than an employee who hasn't put in her notice. I've worked with people who seemed like they were 100% stand-up guys, but once they were on they way out they went on Total Dick Mode. It's a very reasonable practice to conduct an exit interview on the spot if someone puts in their notice, it may hurt your feelings a little bit but it protects the organization from loss. It sounds like both you and your employer conducted yourselves professionally.

My suggestion is, you and your hurt feelings enjoy the next two weeks of watching gilligan reruns on your former employer's dollar. You can also take the opportunity to read up on any new technologies you'll be working with. Or see if you can link up with some of your future coworkers for lunch, then you'll be able to hit the ground running at your new job.

btw - congrats on the new job, good luck with it.