4 Weeks Notice a Requirement!!!!!

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Jul 23, 2006

Hmmmmmm...I would check your state labor laws and inform your employer if this is not current or legal practice.

I would be ticked for the same reason you said! I give a two week notice out of respect, I don't have too! But to demand more...perposterous! I typically find a job before I have had to turn in a two week notice and I am not going to let my new employer wait that long!

Two weeks is all anyone will get out of me unless I know of a change of my employement earlier then I will give as much notice as I can...but two weeks...that is my norm! If I want to leave that bad...that last two weeks is torture enough! LOL~!

catlady, BSN, RN · Jul 23, 2006

The rule of thumb in business is that you give an equivalent number of weeks to the weeks of vacation you accrue. So if your employer gives you three weeks per year, you should give three weeks' notice. This may not be the same as what you have on the books or what you have actually been approved to take.

That said, many employers will try to squeeze you just as the OP states. The last place I worked didn't even give vacation for two *years* (can you say I'm glad I'm gone?) but wanted four weeks' notice. Usually I've given more notice than is required, and usually I end up regretting it. One place I worked then would not let me use my vacation time, would not pay me for it, and told me that if I called out I'd have to extend my notice by the length of my callout--even though I'd given them five weeks so they'd have time to find a replacement. I should have just taken the time off and then given the notice. But no good deed goes unpunished.

llg, PhD, RN · Jul 23, 2006

While you may not like your employer's insistence on 4 weeks notice (or whatever), it is usually advisable to comply if at all possible and to leave a job on as good a terms as possible.

Nobody will put you in jail if you don't ... but do you really want to have them telling potential employers of the future that you are not eligible for re-hire? That sort of thing can "jump up and bite you" years down the road when you least expect it. You may have a legal right to walk out on short notice, but they have a legal right not to re-hire you if you do.

If you don't like your current employer and/or it's policies on such matters, then be sure to plan your future exit well in advance. Don't wait until you are miserable, or until your relationship with your boss has deteriorated too far, etc.

llg

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Jul 23, 2006

Most places that I have worked for, required 30 days notice.

shodobe · Jul 23, 2006

Where does it say that you have to give any notice? As far as I know "notice" is just a professional courtesy given to your employer out of respect. At least in California a former employer CAN NOT give you a bad referral to a new employer because all they can say, on the record, is you worked there for a certain time. Now if they want to give an opinion on your work habits that is not part of a official recommendation that is another story. The state unemployment board does want the biased opinion of a former employer to keep you from working elsewhere. 2 weeks notice is enough to be nice, 4 weeks is asking way to much. What are they going to due if you want to leave after 2 weeks, tie you to your work station, take you to court, give you a bad referal? Unless you have taken advance money, such in a signing bonus, the employer can't make you stay anymore than YOU WANT TO! Just curious from the 30 day poster, what will they do to you if you decide to leave before the 30 days?

Little Panda RN, ASN, RN · Jul 23, 2006

I agree that 4 weeks is too long. I personally would think that most employers would expect you to start within two weeks. How many can afford to wait 4 weeks when they need to fill positions. I think it would ruin someone's chances of getting the job. I however do understand with the shortage of nurses how a place of employment would want ample time to recruite, but I have never in my life had to give 4 weeks notice.

On the note of what a previous poster said, I used to be in management. I gave my two weeks notice without taking my time off and then the company refused to pay me for the time I accrued during my employment with them. So if you are going to resign take your time off first:lol2: .

llg, PhD, RN · Jul 24, 2006

.... 2 weeks notice is enough to be nice, 4 weeks is asking way to much. What are they going to due if you want to leave after 2 weeks, tie you to your work station, take you to court, give you a bad referal? Unless you have taken advance money, such in a signing bonus, the employer can't make you stay anymore than YOU WANT TO! Just curious from the 30 day poster, what will they do to you if you decide to leave before the 30 days?

I don't know the details of California law, but in most places an employer is allowed to say whether or not you are "eligible for re-hire" or not. To a prospective employer, that sends up a red flag -- particularly if you are working for a reputable employer. While you might be able to get away with having 1 former employer saying you are "ineligible for re-hire," a job history showing a pattern of bad relationships with former employers may very well prevent you from getting a job you might want some day.

Bottom line: You don't want to make enemies unnecessarily. Try to plan ahead and leave a job on the best terms you possibly can.

llg

Little Panda RN, ASN, RN · Jul 24, 2006

I don't know the details of California law, but in most places an employer is allowed to say whether or not you are "eligible for re-hire" or not. To a prospective employer, that sends up a red flag -- particularly if you are working for a reputable employer. While you might be able to get away with having 1 former employer saying you are "ineligible for re-hire," a job history showing a pattern of bad relationships with former employers may very well prevent you from getting a job you might want some day.
Bottom line: You don't want to make enemies unnecessarily. Try to plan ahead and leave a job on the best terms you possibly can.
llg

Yes, I agree with you llg, it is best not to burn your bridges! You never know when you might need to work there again. But, I do have to say I think 4 weeks is a little much.

Guest717236 · Jul 24, 2006

Yes, I agree with you llg, it is best not to burn your bridges! You never know when you might need to work there again. But, I do have to say I think 4 weeks is a little much.

I had to always give a 4 week notice. It is often required in some

specialty fields,ex psychiatric crisis intervention. It is difficult

for the employer to fiind a replacement who is already trained.

And even more difficult if they need to train a new person.

This was also out of respect for the team you worked with,

as one less staff member could impact at peak times.

I found my new employers did not have a problem and felt

you were an asset to help the transition for your peers at your

former place of employment.

CHATSDALE · Jul 24, 2006

agree with other posts...if you are working on as a floor nurse a couple of weeks notice is ample for them to recruit and training is frequently given to specific nurses and not esp the outgoing nurse

if you work in a specility field finding a competent replacement that needs outgoing to train then more time might be the right thing to do

when management has to take the time and effort to replace you they are not too happy [that being part of their job description in irrelevant] so do as was suggested..take any time off in advance you probably won't be able to take vacation in new job for a while so enjoy yourself if yu have sick leave and you have any medical procedures you need done, do it before giving notice

HappyNurse2005, RN · Jul 24, 2006

My hospital system requires 30 days notice for nurses. Actually, if your base pay is over 11.00, then you give 30 days notice.If its under 11.00, then 2 weeks.

Of course, this is okay if you want to transfer between units, b/c any unit knows the 30 day rule.