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it's not about the references that is burning the bridge; whether the company talks about you or not isn't a problem, it's the people you leave that you have to keep good will with
it's about the people there that might be your network for the future, you never know who you will end up working with later on
I was teaching at a college for several years on a contract to contract basis. That was exactly the type of job I wanted because it allowed me to balance my work and personal responsibilities. Each contract had a clause that they could cancel the contract with two weeks notice. One time they asked me to sign a contract and then claimed that they hadn't signed it so it wasn't valid - that was not above board.
After six years, it was time for me to find a full time, salaried position. I discussed this with all those who had signed contracts with me, and who were still signing contracts with me, and requested a reference. To my complete shock, each and every person - except one - told me that they were not allowed to provide references. That was not cool, as it's rather difficult to explain six years without a reference. I was not happy with what appeared to be an attempt to interfere with me seeking other job opportunities. That is, they wanted me to continue working for them, but they were not interested in putting in a good word for me.
I managed to find other references and made it my job to find another job. When I found another job, I gave ten working days notice and no more - two weeks. At the time, I was scheduled to teach many hours and to earn top dollar, but it was more important to me to walk away and let them sort out the mess than to give them any more respect than they had for me. They were not thankful for my six years of work, instead rude about receiving the two weeks notice.
Decide whether you can afford to burn the bridge, and then burn it if it feels good.
^That's not all that unusual in this day and age, either. At Dell, for example, it's actually a terminable offense for a coworker to give a reference for a former coworker. I've got a guy on my team who was actually canned for just that reason. To the layperson, such a restriction seems really audacious. I'm not entirely sure why companies have policies like that, but they're out there.
I do not believe in burning bridges, and for the most part it has worked out for me (including being hired back at a company after I left - and into a much better position). Even if I hated a job, I would give a company a two-week notice, which is their discretion to accept or not.
it's not about the references that is burning the bridge; whether the company talks about you or not isn't a problem, it's the people you leave that you have to keep good will with
it's about the people there that might be your network for the future, you never know who you will end up working with later on
I had a buddy who quit on the spot. Simply sent an email to his manager one day that he quit. He essentially lost an entire network that he had worked with for over two years, because nobody wanted to vouch for the guy that quit on the spot. He had a difficult time finding comparable work, and ended up having to settle for a much lower paying hourly job. He has told me in the past that it's something he regrets doing.
So this is actually a good alternative viewpoint for why you'd want to give the two weeks notice. If for nothing else, do it to maintain good rapport with your network.
You should give at least some advance notice. It's always best to quit on good terms. I understand that an employer can terminate an employee at any time but usually (not always) people get fired for a reason(s). Good reliable employees very rarely get fired. It's always best to be professional even if your boss isn't. In the long run you'll be glad you were. Trust me.
^That's not all that unusual in this day and age, either. At Dell, for example, it's actually a terminable offense for a coworker to give a reference for a former coworker. I've got a guy on my team who was actually canned for just that reason. To the layperson, such a restriction seems really audacious. I'm not entirely sure why companies have policies like that, but they're out there.
I know - it's policy. The reason is that some people don't realize that you can't say bad things about an employee, so they provide a negative reference and the organization is exposed/vulnerable to lawsuits. Rather than teach management how to provide references, they simply say they cannot provide a reference. I was offered a work record, but that's what fired people are provided, so it's not good enough. As a professional educator, I expected colleagues to provide references. I think they took the "not allowed to provide references" too far.
Let's look forward to your next job application, OP. If you have a blank in work status from, let's say, January 2017 to March or June 2017, most personnel people will say to you, "What were you doing from January to June this year? Did you have a job?" Then you either have to lie and say you didn't, or you have to say, "Yes, but they were a crap company and I quit." I don't think so.
Or you can list that company that you worked for and quit from and hope they don't get in touch. To me, it's not worth the possible problems. It's two weeks of your life, that's all, and could cause lots more than two weeks' heartache in the future. Give them the notice.
Why do people act so scared of what future employers would think? Don't want to disappoint your corporate masters? I frankly couldn't give a crap less about what my employer thinks of my work history, if I have the skills to do my job and can prove myself, I will have no trouble finding a job in the future.
What about jobs where you give your 2 weeks notice and they immediately escort you off the property? Or they only let you work 3 more days and then say "Oh, we don't need you to come in anymore". People act like companies are above reproach, can't be held to the same standards as people, and when they do something it's viewed as "ok" where if a person does the same thing it's considered "bad". How did companies get this much control over people's minds and their lives? Can't do anything to rock the boat because it might **** off your corporate masters.
In my profession (auto mechanics), I'm not beholden to my employers whims. I don't need them to do my job, all they do is provide a space to do it. I have all the tools, knowledge and skill to do the work myself, and as the old saying goes "Toolboxes have wheels for a reason". In this business, if you have the skills and knowledge you WILL have a job (whether for yourself, as in my case, or for another shop), because mechanics that actually know what they're doing and can diagnose a car instead of just throwing parts at it are very hard to find.
It's not about "who's the bigger person", it's this whole idea of "if you **** off the people "above" you it will ruin your life". And that's simply not the case. You have to be able to stand out on your own and not rely on them.
Why do people act so scared of what future employers would think? Don't want to disappoint your corporate masters? I frankly couldn't give a crap less about what my employer thinks of my work history, if I have the skills to do my job and can prove myself, I will have no trouble finding a job in the future.
Your skills will mean very little if you have nobody else who will vouch for them. Quit without notice once, for a very short term gig that you can leave off your resume. Alright, you can probably sweep it under the rug. But if you do it enough times and have gaps on your resume because you don't have anyone to vouch for the work you did, then you're basically cutting off your nose to spite your face.
I know - it's policy. The reason is that some people don't realize that you can't say bad things about an employee, so they provide a negative reference and the organization is exposed/vulnerable to lawsuits. Rather than teach management how to provide references, they simply say they cannot provide a reference. I was offered a work record, but that's what fired people are provided, so it's not good enough. As a professional educator, I expected colleagues to provide references. I think they took the "not allowed to provide references" too far.
It's possible, but it's possible they were following things to the letter. The Dell example I gave above, for instance, apparently what co-workers were supposed to say when someone called for a reference was that the person calling for the reference had to call the HR department.
Again, I don't understand it, I personally think it's absolutely crazy, and I'd absolutely ignore a rule like that if it were ever imposed upon me, but that's just because I know I could snap my fingers and have an equal job within a week. Also, I'd not do like the guy on my team did and give the reference in the office within earshot of other people so that it could trickle back up that a reference was being given (cause really, how would a company know unless you make it obvious?). Ruling by fear seems to be the new 21st century norm.
Your skills will mean very little if you have nobody else who will vouch for them. Quit without notice once, for a very short term gig that you can leave off your resume. Alright, you can probably sweep it under the rug. But if you do it enough times and have gaps on your resume because you don't have anyone to vouch for the work you did, then you're basically cutting off your nose to spite your face.
Ummm, how about certifications? Sure, they don't mean that you know a damn thing, but if you have them it at least shows that you're serious and that you've taken the time and effort to invest in yourself and your skill set. IMO, the work someone actually does means a lot more than what someone else has to say about them. Actions speak louder than words.
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