At-Will Employment State. Give 2 weeks notice or resign on last day??

[inthefrey]

Asking for a friend...

This friend is working in an at-will work state (Pennsylvania) he has found another job yet he feels a moral obligation and wants to give his current employer two weeks notice. This employer has a history of firing people as soon as they give 2-week notice. This person has an exemplary record with the company, has used 0 sick days and has never been late for their shift even though they have a 100 mile round trip commute everyday. 

Should I tell this person to Give notice or quit on the last day?

[Cougar_ml]

what's the worst they can do to him for NOT giving 2 weeks notice, fire him?

 

The employer has a track record of being malicious about people doing the right thing, then I would personally not feel obligated to get being fired on my work history.

[MO Fugga]

Is there a no-compete clause anywhere?

[inthefrey]

Just now, MO Fugga said:

Is there a no-compete clause anywhere?

No and, the new job has absolutely nothing to do with the old job.

[Walt Longmire]

Call in and play the Johnny Paycheck song. They'll figure it out.

[deputy tom]

Quit at Noon the last day then get home early to celebrate. tom.

[bigchuck83]

If i were leaving for a new job i would want to give two weeks notice, but if my current employer was known to fire someone when they give a two week notice then i would either tell them on my last day or just stop showing up.

[Peng]

The way it usually works is, you give 2 weeks notice, and the employer escorts you out that day.

No need to try to predict their response and make it easier for them.  Always give notice, what's the harm?

[Mrs.Cicero]

I'd give them two weeks notice, just because I think that's the professional thing to do.  And if they escorted me out two minutes later, I'd be happy to take the two weeks off, then start the new job.  Unless the new job would appreciate me being able to start earlier, then I'd do that.  Maybe.  

[DWARREN123]

Some states require the employer to pay the two week notice time if it is written out and sent thru cannels (ie e-mail sent to H.R..).

Does he state do that?

 I would always like to give my 2 week notice.

[Rellik]

Many times the company will walk you out right there to prevent you from sabotaging the works and still pay you for that 2 weeks.  Be prepared to leave right then and there no matter what.  

[Walt Longmire]

"Take this job and shove it. I ain't working here no more."

[NPTim]

With the current job’s reputation, my final notice would be when they noticed I didn’t come in.

[LostinTexas]

If your friend is finished working for the company, then give notice. If he has vacation or personal time, take it and then tell them he's leaving at the end of it. Many companies will forfeit such on notice. He/sh earned it, and should use it.

There are some less than admirable companies out there and they will use their advantage any way they can. Sounds like he/she owes them nothing, and they appreciate nothing.

The friends choice, but sounds like you both know how it will play out.

[Walt Longmire]

Back in my youth I worked for an oilfield service company that requested 2 week notice, and yet sent you packing the day you turned in your notice. I gave them the courtesy of a phone call after work started on a Monday that "I QUIT." Boss called me to say he would have to write some unpleasant stuff in my file for company HQ. I told him to pack it in his ass.

[inthefrey]

3 hours ago, Mrs.Cicero said:

I'd give them two weeks notice, just because I think that's the professional thing to do.  And if they escorted me out two minutes later, I'd be happy to take the two weeks off, then start the new job.  Unless the new job would appreciate me being able to start earlier, then I'd do that.  Maybe.  

He's says he's already signed with the new company and THEY WANT him as soon as possible.  He's asking, " If I give notice and they fire me, can I collect unemployment for those 2 weeks?" I did some brief research and the law is very vague. 

[Cougar_ml]

2 minutes ago, inthefrey said:

He's says he's already signed with the new company and THEY WANT him as soon as possible.  He's asking, " If I give notice and they fire me, can I collect unemployment for those 2 weeks?" I did some brief research and the law is very vague. 

I think that would be whether they fired him for cause or not.
Unless he has a bunch of stuff in his record already on his record, they'd have a hard time justifying the reason they fired him deserving to not get unemployment.
 

On the other hand, by the time all the paperwork got done and everything, he'd already be working at the new job, so hard to say if they'd do it for only 2 weeks. in this situation.

[railfancwb]

The times I’ve resigned I’ve given the notice and had no issues. In fact some of the recently ex-employers have paid me as a contractor to help my replacement get up to speed. 

[Cougar_ml]

also, if they fire him and the new company wants him immediately, why would he be collecting unemployment?  I mean, he'll be employed at a new job as soon as he wants to be.

[deputy tom]

4 hours ago, Mrs.Cicero said:

I'd give them two weeks notice, just because I think that's the professional thing to do.  And if they escorted me out two minutes later, I'd be happy to take the two weeks off, then start the new job.  Unless the new job would appreciate me being able to start earlier, then I'd do that.  Maybe.  

I wouldn't give up two weeks pay. Unless as you say the new employer was willing to put me to work sooner. tom.

[inthefrey]

46 minutes ago, railfancwb said:

The times I’ve resigned I’ve given the notice and had no issues. In fact some of the recently ex-employers have paid me as a contractor to help my replacement get up to speed. 

The work this guy does is extremely specialized. I will suggest this to him.

[Historian]

7 hours ago, inthefrey said:

No and, the new job has absolutely nothing to do with the old job.

Give'em two weeks. Wish them well.  If he gets canned it will be an interesting story in another story some day.

I tried to do the professional thing and they fired me.  I wanted to wait out the two weeks and pull my share of the load.  Do the right thing.

They...did not...

[ChuteTheMall]

1 hour ago, inthefrey said:

He's says he's already signed with the new company and THEY WANT him as soon as possible.  He's asking, " If I give notice and they fire me, can I collect unemployment for those 2 weeks?" I did some brief research and the law is very vague. 

If you resign in order to actually accept another job, (and then get released early), that would be ruled as good cause and you would not be disqualified from Unemployment compensation; however, your claim always starts with an unpaid one week waiting period before you can then claim your first paid week.

If they fire you for resigning, that is not considered misconduct, and again you would qualify for unemployment without penalty after the one week waiting period.

I would give notice and enjoy a couple of weeks off if possible, no matter what the employer's reputation is. I control what I do, not what others might or might not do.