Ask Slashdot: Is It Ever OK To Quit Without Giving Notice?

HughPickens.com writes: Employees and employers alike have the right under at-will employment laws in almost all states to end their relationship without notice, for any reason, but the two-week rule is a widely accepted standard of workplace conduct. However, Sue Shellenbarger writes at the WSJ that a growing number of workers are leaving without giving two weeks' notice. Some bosses blame young employees who feel frustrated by limited prospects or have little sense of attachment to their workplace. But employment experts say some older workers are quitting without notice as well. They feel overworked or unappreciated after years of laboring under pay cuts and expanded workloads imposed during the recession. One employee at Dupray, a customer-service rep, scheduled a meeting and announced she was quitting, then rose and headed for the exit. She seemed surprised when the director of human resources stopped her and explained that employees are expected to give two weeks' notice. "She said, 'I've been watching 'Suits,' and this is how it happens,'" referring to the TV drama set in a law firm.

According to Shellenbarger, quitting without notice is sometimes justified. Employees with access to proprietary information, such as those working in sales or new-product development, face a conflict of interest if they accept a job with a competitor. Employees in such cases typically depart right away -- ideally, by mutual agreement. It can also be best to exit quickly if an employer is abusive, or if you suspect your employer is doing something illegal. More often, quitting without notice "is done in the heat of emotion, by someone who is completely frustrated, angry, offended or upset," says David Lewis, president of OperationsInc., a Norwalk, Conn., human-resources consulting firm. That approach can burn bridges and generate bad references. Phyllis Hartman says employees have a responsibility to try to communicate about what's wrong. "Start figuring out if there is anything you can do to fix it. The worst that can happen is that nobody listens or they tell you no." What do you Slashdotters think about providing employers notice of departure? Has there ever been a circumstance that warranted quitting your job without any prior notice?

Comments

Re: Karma is a bitch

[TheGratefulNet]

I'll level with you: I'm a white guy who's over 50 in silicon valley. I'm the last guy they want on their payroll.

its not me; my friends who are in the same age group and racial group also have the exact same problem.

its industry wide and its the elephant in the room.

h1b's are walking the hallways. US born folks are second class citizens since we are not as abusable as the h1b's.

I have a ton to offer, but its not about that. they want warm bodies in seats who will NEVER make waves and who will kiss the boss' ass.

it really is that simple. and yes, I'm being told constantly to leave the bay area. at some point, I may have to, since this is ONLY a young-man's working world; and it counts against you if you are truly a free agent.

I've said it many times before: walk down the hallways of any cisco building and its 90% indian. what does that tell you?

Re:loyalty is a two-way street

[JustAnotherOldGuy]

"I could care less" means exactly the same as "I couldn't care less"

Errr, no it doesn't. Idiomatic or not, they have different meanings.

I know the unwashed masses are too busy taking selfies to care, but when someone uses "I could care less" when they really mean "I couldn't care less", it immediately marks them as ignorant, sloppy, hard of thinking, or just plain stupid.