How to Make Like A Tree And Leave - Before You Get Fired

Giving two weeks notice to your supervisor, can be difficult. Especially if you know for sure that your current boss does not like you!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A New Job Already Offered To You
• Positive Attitude
• Private Place To Talk With Your Supervisor

1. 
    
   Don't let this be you...

   * Giving notice can be dangerous, even when you already have another job. It is conceivable an angry supervisor could fire you on the spot, forcing you to lose at least two weeks pay. If you give too much notice, you could end up getting fired as soon as you've wrapped up your work or your replacement is selected.

2. * The solution is to give the two weeks that have become customary and to be prepared to deflect attempts to fire you. The best way to do that is to practice a subtle form of workplace extortion. Your obligation to conclude short-term projects and prepare memos on your long-term projects should be implicit with your being given two weeks to wrap things up.

3. * By the way, it makes sense to hold off actually preparing and presenting those memos as long as possible since they're your only leverage to ensure you get your final paycheck.

4. * Be direct, businesslike, and confident. The only thing he can do to you is fire you. And you're leaving for another job anyway. So maintain a good attitude.

5. * State what you will do during the next two weeks as a lame duck, but don't actually do it until you've gotten his agreement that you'll be employed for those two weeks. This is your ace in the hole.

6. * Do step five above, as soon as possible after learning you've been hired and have cleaned up your files. Do it as early in the day and as early in the week as possible so the company has a chance to react right away. Timing is very important to your deliver of any two weeks notice.

7. * It is important to remain calm, even in the face of anger and threats. Don't simply absorb abuse, however. Make it clear that your being fired will not only hurt the company and the staff, but it will send a clear message to other staffers that they should simply quit rather than give notice.

Tips & Warnings

• Prior to approaching your supervisor, be sure to have your things packed. Just in case.
• If you would like specific dialogues for this scenario, I will be happy to respond to your request. Simply make a comment asking for an example and I will provide it for you. And as always, if you like any of my suggestions in this article please rate it. Thanks.

Resources

• Lifescripts

[amylaine]

on 4/12/2008 Great article.

[whoknew]

on 1/22/2008 Thanks for the advice, wish I had seen it sooner.