URGENT! Quitting without two weeks notice

Apart from common courtesy, does quitting without the two week notice have any legal repercussions? My employee handbook states that one 'should' give two weeks. My offer letter states it's required and to consult the employee handbook for further details. The employee handbook says one 'should' give the notice. I'm not exactly sure if that's a legal contract. As far as I know NY is an at-will employment state and my offer letter also states the at-will agreement.

Any help is immense as this is supposed to happen soon.

33 Comments
 

dude give two weeks. chances they won't make you work it if you have a good relationship there. Always leave in good terms. Beside that you won't face any legal ramifications

Beast
 
Angelus99

dude give two weeks. chances they won't make you work it if you have a good relationship there. Always leave in good terms. Beside that you won't face any legal ramifications

I def would if I could. Just that my work situation doesn't allow me to. I'm on a work Visa and if my current firm cancelled my authorization (which they very well could - a lot of firm ask you to leave immediately) before the new firm process it, I'd be out of status and fucked legally.

To avoid that I can only quit once the paperwork for the new firm is processed. Also, the new firm wants me to start as soon as the paperwork is processed. Very silly overall, I agree.

 

Are you in banking? If so, you will be asked to leave immediately.

"For I am a sinner in the hands of an angry God. Bloody Mary full of vodka, blessed are you among cocktails. Pray for me now and at the hour of my death, which I hope is soon. Amen."
 
duffmt6

Are you in banking? If so, you will be asked to leave immediately.

not necessarily - depends if u r moving to competitor or not
speed boost blaze
 
torchic duffmt6:

Are you in banking? If so, you will be asked to leave immediately.

not necessarily - depends if u r moving to competitor or not

No it doesn't. Even if you're heading directly to a competitor, you will depart the building for the last time on the same day you announce your resignation.

"For all the tribulations in our lives, for all the troubles that remain in the world, the decline of violence is an accomplishment we can savor, and an impetus to cherish the forces of civilization and enlightenment that made it possible."
 
NorthSider torchic: duffmt6:

Are you in banking? If so, you will be asked to leave immediately.

not necessarily - depends if u r moving to competitor or not

No it doesn't. Even if you're heading directly to a competitor, you will depart the building for the last time on the same day you announce your resignation.

nah bro plenty of ppl here who got two weeks

speed boost blaze
 
Best Response
torchic NorthSider: torchic: duffmt6:

Are you in banking? If so, you will be asked to leave immediately.

not necessarily - depends if u r moving to competitor or not

No it doesn't. Even if you're heading directly to a competitor, you will depart the building for the last time on the same day you announce your resignation.

nah bro plenty of ppl here who got two weeks

Per your description, you are in S&T. Read duffmt6's post again.

"For all the tribulations in our lives, for all the troubles that remain in the world, the decline of violence is an accomplishment we can savor, and an impetus to cherish the forces of civilization and enlightenment that made it possible."
 

If there's a circumstance that prevents you from staying the 2 weeks, they won't make you. I had to once leave a job because of a medical situation - I was out by the end of the week.

Of course, the courteous thing to do would be to give the 2 weeks. But there is no legally binding contract that puts it in stone (unless you signed off on it, but most salaried work is at-will nowadays....)

Currently: future neurologist, current psychotherapist Previously: investor relations (top consulting firm), M&A consulting (Big 4), M&A banking (MM)
 
chicandtoughness

If there's a circumstance that prevents you from staying the 2 weeks, they won't make you. I had to once leave a job because of a medical situation - I was out by the end of the week.

Of course, the *courteous* thing to do would be to give the 2 weeks. But there is no legally binding contract that puts it in stone (unless you signed off on it, but most salaried work is at-will nowadays....)

While the agreement is 'at-will', like most other banks and roles, there's also this clause in the agreement which says I am 'required to' provide advanced notice according to some policy in the handbook. When I refer to that policy in the handbook, it says the employee 'should'.

To me this is legal bullshit and very vague. But who am I know.

 
oliver13

While the agreement is 'at-will', like most other banks and roles, there's also this clause in the agreement which says I am 'required to' provide advanced notice according to some policy in the handbook. When I refer to that policy in the handbook, it says the employee 'should'.

To me this is legal bullshit and very vague. But who am I know.

Should isn't must. You're good to go :P
Currently: future neurologist, current psychotherapist Previously: investor relations (top consulting firm), M&A consulting (Big 4), M&A banking (MM)
 

Give your 2 weeks and if you are expected to work the full 2 weeks then just quit. Are you an H1B? If so, you are not in any jeopardy of being defined out of status even if they were to fire you.

 
Dying's For Fools

No legal repercussions. If you received a signing bonus make sure that you're meeting all of the terms to keep it. Give notice if you can though; finance is a very small world.

thanks man. I unfortunately can't keep the signing bonus as I haven't completed a year yet. The new firm however has agreed to pay the current firm. The only issue seems to be that I'll pay back the pretax amount while receiving the post tax amount from the new firm. From what I understand I get a tax refund this filing season of the remainder.

 
oliver13

thanks man. I unfortunately can't keep the signing bonus as I haven't completed a year yet. The new firm however has agreed to pay the current firm. The only issue seems to be that I'll pay back the pretax amount while receiving the post tax amount from the new firm. From what I understand I get a tax refund this filing season of the remainder.

That's a pretty sweet deal. Last time I left before a year was up they were relentless about the payback and my new firm barely even knew what a signing bonus was :(
Currently: future neurologist, current psychotherapist Previously: investor relations (top consulting firm), M&A consulting (Big 4), M&A banking (MM)
 

I've seen more than a dozen people quit unexpectedly - both from IB and S&T - during my time. And I've never once seen a person asked to stay even one day after they tender their resignation. You let your staffer / head of the desk know you plan to resign, they pick up your corporate devices, you say your goodbyes and head out the door.

"For all the tribulations in our lives, for all the troubles that remain in the world, the decline of violence is an accomplishment we can savor, and an impetus to cherish the forces of civilization and enlightenment that made it possible."
 

If it were me, I would at least give them two weeks and see how they react. You could luck out and they ask you to go ahead and leave. Is there a specific reason that the new firm won't allow for a later start date? I'm not a pro on jumping ship on Wall Street, but I would think that a company would be willing to adjust a start date if there were such dire circumstances around it (potential work Visa issues). Most companies understand giving notice in my experience and don't mind a few weeks adjustment. But that may be deriving on a conversation that you had with them where they said, "When can you start?" and you said, "As soon as you want me to."

"Decide what to be and go be it." - The Avett Brothers
 

If you are in research, ever heard of garden leave? You won't be able to start the next day anyway.

Also, if you quit you won't lose your Visa if it is transferred to your new company. Just because they ask you to leave immedietly does not mean they are firing you.

Frank Sinatra - "Alcohol may be man's worst enemy, but the bible says love your enemy."
 
yeahright

If you are in research, ever heard of garden leave? You won't be able to start the next day anyway.

Also, if you quit you won't lose your Visa if it is transferred to your new company. Just because they ask you to leave immedietly does not mean they are firing you.

Yes, definitely have heard of that. However, that's usually reserved for VPs and above. Also, I'm just doing a rotation of the research desk, but really belong to the S&T program. Also feel if anything was 'required' it should have been in the contract.

Doing this tomorrow. Will keep this site updated. Might help out future quitters!

 
oliver13

Just for future reference: Just quit - no two weeker. Starting new gig in two days.

Absolutely shocking.

In all seriousness, though, good luck with the new gig!

"For all the tribulations in our lives, for all the troubles that remain in the world, the decline of violence is an accomplishment we can savor, and an impetus to cherish the forces of civilization and enlightenment that made it possible."
 
oliver13

One more questions to anyone still checking this out. My old company's HR is demanding the sign on bonus back. This is fine and I'm willing to send a check, but they want me to address the check to a Director in HR. Is that how it works? I wasn't really comfortable sending a check addressed to a person. Wanna make sure this isn't a scam.

I've had HR request my signing bonus back in this form. I would write it out to "[company name] ATTN: [Director's name]" - that way it's still in care of the company, but you're addressing it to the Director because s/he is probably in charge of processing the check.
Currently: future neurologist, current psychotherapist Previously: investor relations (top consulting firm), M&A consulting (Big 4), M&A banking (MM)
 

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