How To Handle Corporate Blackmail?

An anonymous reader writes "I have been in a software engineering position at a large company for approximately seven years. Recently, for a variety of reasons, I accepted a new job working for a local software company. I have given my employer three weeks' notice, instead of the standard two, as a courtesy. In return, it has been implied that, in spite my record of above-average performance appraisals and promotions, I will be marked as leaving the company 'on bad terms' if I refuse to extend my departure date further. With only three weeks remaining, I am hesitant to rock the boat by contacting our HR department, but this concerns me and seems like an extremely unethical practice. I live in an 'at-will' employment state, so I know that they have no legal recourse to keep me. I am concerned about the references they could give in the future; having spent a large majority of my career at this company, I will be dependent on them for references to verify my career experience. Has anyone ever run into this kind of situation before?"

Comments

Re:Most common advice

[Mr. Underbridge]

That is why you hide the recorder - just make sure you are in a one party consent state first.

Hey boss? Can we have my exit interview in Oregon? Thanks.

Re:contractor position?

[Hognoxious]

If you can't do the job, you should be fired.

I want a workaround for the second law of thermodynamcs on my desk by noon Friday.

- your boss

Re:contractor position?

[Obfuscant]

I want a workaround for the second law of thermodynamcs on my desk by noon Friday.

If you took a job where working around the laws of thermodynamics was part of the job description, you deserve to be fired.

Re:contractor position?

[commodoresloat]

>>>If you can't do the job, you should be fired.

I would agree under normal circumstances, but they wanted me to design an entire circuit card in ONE week (the government offered a bonus to create a new tank variant in less than three months).

Pshaw, that's nothing! At my old gig I had to design an entire circuit card in two hours using nothing but some used tinfoil, a ball of yarn, and a roll of duct tape! And I was grateful for the work! The kids these days, I tell ya...

Disclaimer: I'm not even sure I know what a circuit card is.

Re:contractor position?

[lactose99]

If you took a job where working around the laws of thermodynamics was part of the job description, you deserve to be fired.

But it never starts like that.

The job requirement was more likely "Ability to boil water," and it all went downhill from there...