When to say something?

JulyMomma2U2

I have decided that I will be leaving my job shortly after returning from maternity leave.  I *should* be coming back from maternity in early Oct depending on when LO arrives.  My DH has 8 weeks of paternity leave, so I will come back to work for those 8 weeks, and then I'll have my 3 weeks of vacation leading up to a company wide shut down the week between Christmas and New Years.  If all goes as planned, I figure I'll come back for the first 2 weeks of January to give my notice and be done.

I'm just trying to decide if/when I should give my manager heads up on my plan.  I requested switching to P/T which my director did not approve, hence finalizing my decision to quit.  My manager, though she is aware of my disappointment about the P/T not getting approved, doesn't seem to suspect me leaving.  

There have already been discussions around projects that I'll be staffed on upon returning from maternity leave and through Q1 of next year.. part of me feels guilty like I should give them heads up that I don't plan on being here through Q1, but the other part is nervous that they'd try and replace me early while I went out on maternity leave.. 

Would you say something now?  Or, would you just wait and put your 2 weeks in and announce it then?  Or, maybe meet in the middle and let them know my plan when I come back from maternity and am still planning to work the 2 months left in the year?

FemShep

I'd give the standard 2 weeks notice.

Frankly, a LOT can change between now and January, and you may decide that you don't want to quit or that you don't want to come back, etc.  If you tell your office significantly before your departure, you run the risk that they'll replace you or possibly terminate your employment early.  I don't think it's worth it; 2 weeks notice is the standard and is professional. 

shakinros

I'd tell when you get back from maternity leave. Then your leave isnt in danger and they have time to train a replacement for you.

JulyMomma2U2

FemShep:

I'd give the standard 2 weeks notice.

Frankly, a LOT can change between now and January, and you may decide that you don't want to quit or that you don't want to come back, etc.  If you tell your office significantly before your departure, you run the risk that they'll replace you or possibly terminate your employment early.  I don't think it's worth it; 2 weeks notice is the standard and is professional. 

I'm pretty certain on my decision.  I know I will definitely stay through the year, as well, because that allows me to still collect my bonus for 2013.  As for changing my mind about quitting.. the only thing that would make me do that is if they changed their minds and approved my p/t request.  I guess that's part of the reason why I've thought about giving heads up now.. if my manager realized how serious I am about leaving, perhaps they'd re-think the request?

I had a meeting with my manager yesterday.. she was asking about my 5 year plan, and was talking about how she wants to prime me for management, and telling me I'm up for promotion this year, etc etc.. I felt guilty sitting there nodding my head in "agreement" with her plan, when I know I'm not planning on being here past January...

*sparky*

Wait and put it your 2 weeks when you are ready.  And I read your follow-up - there is nothing wrong with playing along until you are ready to go.  A lot could change between now and then and there is no need to let on that you are not in for the long haul so far in advance.  If you quitting will impact them letting you stay on PT you will find out when you give notice. 

JulyMomma2U2

Thanks ladies!! All great advice!

I tend to be very naive when it comes to the corporate world.. it was quite an eye opener when my P/T request was denied!! Showed me a lot about how there really isn't anyone else looking out for "you" but you.. 

I still "struggle" with feeling guilty about "lying" to them.. the projects we work on are time sensitive, and it's not like you can just hire someone and they could pick up where I leave off.. this is actually part of the reason I'm leaving.. I had posted a while back about "managing up".. we have several people here who are extremely intelligent, just not "familiar' enough with what we do (even after having been here for 2-3 years!!), which causes a lot of issues.. people in management levels who aren't really sure how things should be done to begin with, which means the people under those managers aren't being guided properly which means the work isn't getting done.. anyway, I just don't want to feel like I "dropped the ball" on them.. especially the people I directly report to..

But, like PP said.. if they're going to change their mind about P/T, they'll have those 2 weeks after I give notice to do so...!

danieliza1127

I agree with the rest, just give 2 weeks notice and don't say anything before then.  I think if you tell them any sooner, you could lose your job much sooner.

rockychryslerb2010

I was expecting to get flamed for this, but I say give your standard 2 week notice.  Glad to see others agree, I thought this was a big no-no on TB!  As pp have said, a lot can change and no reason to burn bridges .  Who knows, you may even find they accommodate your pt request if they are faced with losing you.  I know my company tried to work a P/T schedule for someone after maternity leave, but our role just doesn't lend itself to a P/T schedule.

EastCoastBride

For the fact you're staying to get your bonus, I ABSOLUTELY would not tell them now.  The earliest I'd tell is before the big break - that could give your boss enough time to work out a counter offer.

But evne then... you need to look at the company overall.  Are there a lot of PT employees?  If not, there is a good chance that this will simply just never happen.  If it's not a part of the culture, then I'd just stick w/ the 2 week notice. 

JulyMomma2U2

EastCoastBride:

For the fact you're staying to get your bonus, I ABSOLUTELY would not tell them now.  The earliest I'd tell is before the big break - that could give your boss enough time to work out a counter offer.

But evne then... you need to look at the company overall.  Are there a lot of PT employees?  If not, there is a good chance that this will simply just never happen.  If it's not a part of the culture, then I'd just stick w/ the 2 week notice. 

I work for a large pharma company.. P/T is not "the norm", but it's definitely done in many groups, even within R&D. The issue is, it's never been done in "my group", which was originally 12 people, but has grown to over 40 in 3 years.  The "rationale" behind not approving my request was that it would be difficult to justify adding additional headcount if I was working P/T but taking up 1 FTE slot.  I understand that, if there was a need for additional headcount, but the reality is, there isn't..

I think I'll keep my mouth shut for now, and re-assess the situation when I come back in October.  At that point, a lot of other "unknown" variables should be worked out (company may be moving, group may be aligning with a different group, potential for layoffs if that happens, etc).. I have a very strong relationship with all of my managers here, and I don't intend on "burning any bridges".. that's actually part of the reason why I feel like a heads up is necessary..

Thanks for all the input, ladies!! 

Reilly626

Just give the standard 2 weeks or they will find a way to get rid of you after telling early.

curious besides them saying no to PT why else are you leaving? Sounds like becoming a manager one day would be lucrative? 

MammaBear81

HilarityEnsued:

FemShep:

I'd give the standard 2 weeks notice.

Frankly, a LOT can change between now and January, and you may decide that you don't want to quit or that you don't want to come back, etc.  If you tell your office significantly before your departure, you run the risk that they'll replace you or possibly terminate your employment early.  I don't think it's worth it; 2 weeks notice is the standard and is professional. 

I absolutely agree.  No, you should not say anything now.  Frankly, they can find other reasons to terminate your position that have no relation to anything FMLA and if you tell them 7+ months ahead of time that you'll be quitting, I think they'll probably just speed up the process for you.

Give 2 weeks notice. 

x2!

JulyMomma2U2

Reilly626:

Just give the standard 2 weeks or they will find a way to get rid of you after telling early.

curious besides them saying no to PT why else are you leaving? Sounds like becoming a manager one day would be lucrative? 

Things have changed drastically in my group since the time I've started.. group has grown dramatically, but the quality in the work produced has shifted a lot.  My direct manager was changed when I came back from maternity leave the 1st time and it's been an awful transition -- I'm essentially managing up -- my direct manager and her other direct report.  That additional stress, on top of the drastic salary differences between the levels and them denying my P/T request was a huge impact.. plus, they're looking to move -- I already commute 110 miles/day, it woudl put me over 140 miles/day.. maybe doable p/t but definitely not FT.. and, finally.. getting to stay home for a year or 2 with my boys would be fantastic, so seems like the timing may be right!

jennyelf

More echos to the just give 2 weeks notice crowd. It's cynical perhaps, but I don't trust companies to have my interests at heart, just the bottom line.