Giving Notice (Quitting Your Job)

[HOOT]

Basically I have decided to quit my job, on Friday, after 4 years of being there. I won't go much into details of why but in short I am just tired of it and want to move on. No I haven't found another job but I got the finances to go without a job for a while so I will probably take a few weeks off and then go on the hunt. It's the employees market out here and I have things to fall back on if I don't find my "dream" job before I go broke.

My question is how much notice do I give? Is two weeks the standard or do I give more because the length of time I have been there?

However my important question, of course revolving around money, is from my experience and from talking with other employees/management is that even when I give my notice I can expect to be let go that day or next. Now what am I entitled to?

Do they still have to pay me for the time I put in my notice?

Do they still owe me my vacation pay?

Am I still covered by extended health, etc?

What happens with my company matched RRSPs?

I live in BC so I don't know if this would make a difference or if labor laws like this would be national. I have tried to look on the government websites but I can't find any real answers so I am hoping some CPers might have some knowledge on the topic.

Thanks for the help!

[nickerjones]

i would just take my vacation before i put in notice just so they couldnt be chincey and try to keep from paying it to you... but i also live in the states and i dont know the rules there

[flip]

My question is how much notice do I give? Is two weeks the standard or do I give more because the length of time I have been there?

Two weeks is OK IIRC but giving more is a courtesy. I don't think 4 years is long enough to give more than 2 weeks.


However my important question, of course revolving around money, is from my experience and from talking with other employees/management is that even when I give my notice I can expect to be let go that day or next. Now what am I entitled to?

Like any job your employer is only entitled to give you two weeks pay and then it is completely legal for them to let you go without cause.

So if you quit and they tell you not to come in for the last 2 weeks, they still owe you 2 weeks pay.

Do they still have to pay me for the time I put in my notice?

See above, but yes you are owed 2 weeks whether you work it or not (as long as you don't get fired)

Do they still owe me my vacation pay?

AFAIK yes. Google employment standards for BC and it'll have more info.

Am I still covered by extended health, etc?

During the 2 weeks? Yes, again AFAIK.

What happens with my company matched RRSPs?

Not a clue.


Hope that was helpful.

[Slava]

Your company matched RRSP's are likely vested at 2 years. In other words they are yours to move. If they are RRSP's then you can use them for anything that you "normally" invest in within an RRSP. They likely will be in the form of a LIRA (Locked In Retirement Account). In other words you can invest them how you see fit, but you cannot access these until you are 55 years of age.

[HOOT]

Thanks flip very helpful, I bet even more helpful is I knew what AFAIK meant

[flip]

Originally Posted by HOOT

Thanks flip very helpful, I bet even more helpful is I knew what AFAIK meant

Sorry, As Far As I Know. Just didn't want you quoting me on some of that stuff as I'm only about 90% sure.

[HOOT]

Originally Posted by flip

Sorry, As Far As I Know.

No worries. I was trying to figure it out...no success.

[HOOT]

So if they let me go that day and have to pay me vacation that is like a month paid to play NHL09....saaaaaweet I can be 15 again

A question about the notice....

Do I want to explain why I am leaving? or ???

[Cawz]

Originally Posted by HOOT

Basically I have decided to quit my job, on Friday, after 4 years of being there. I won't go much into details of why but in short I am just tired of it and want to move on. No I haven't found another job but I got the finances to go without a job for a while so I will probably take a few weeks off and then go on the hunt. It's the employees market out here and I have things to fall back on if I don't find my "dream" job before I go broke.

My question is how much notice do I give? Is two weeks the standard or do I give more because the length of time I have been there?

However my important question, of course revolving around money, is from my experience and from talking with other employees/management is that even when I give my notice I can expect to be let go that day or next. Now what am I entitled to?

Do they still have to pay me for the time I put in my notice?

Do they still owe me my vacation pay?

Am I still covered by extended health, etc?

What happens with my company matched RRSPs?

I live in BC so I don't know if this would make a difference or if labor laws like this would be national. I have tried to look on the government websites but I can't find any real answers so I am hoping some CPers might have some knowledge on the topic.

Thanks for the help!

In my experience, 2 weeks is normal (once I was let go immediatly but I stil got paid the 2 weeks and severance of 4 weeks on top of that I think). I still got my earned vacation pay and the RRSPs are a personal investment, so it shouldnt have anything to do with your employer (except for their contributions).

In Alberta, you are always covered by Alberta Health Care (oxymoron) if you are unemployed (at least I think you are). I've been between jobs for a couple weeks before and they called me after the fact to pay up for the time I wasnt covered by an employer. I havent been unemployed long enough to know if theres a limit or anything.

Dont burn bridges.

[HOOT]

Originally Posted by Cawz

Dont burn bridges.

I plan on finishing my two weeks as a professional because I honestly do enjoy working for the company but just tired of the changes they are making; i.e. micromanaging 101.

It is more of me just needing a change because what is happening is NOT what I signed up for.

[GrrlGoalie33]

Originally Posted by HOOT

A question about the notice....

Do I want to explain why I am leaving? or ???

According to Alberta Labor Laws (to my understanding), you are not required to give a reason for leaving.

They have no say over whether you leave or not, regardless of your destination...except if you have signed a document saying that you will not work for a competitor for x amount of time...

[HOOT]

Well it's not that I don't want to tell, I am curious if it is unprofessional for me to say?

I want them to know to be honest, maybe they will realize the changes were bad. They have or are losing really good people for the same reason but a lot of them didn't even give their notice and just left.

[Torture]

Originally Posted by HOOT

Well it's not that I don't want to tell, I am curious if it is unprofessional for me to say?

I want them to know to be honest, maybe they will realize the changes were bad. They have or are losing really good people for the same reason but a lot of them didn't even give their notice and just left.

If you want to tell them then there's really no reason not to, might help them change things to make it better for those still working there. If I was in their position I would likely want to know.

And just a small thing...it's employment law, not labour law....labour law deals with Unions. (Yup I'm being nitpicky but I'm an HR major so that's what I'm here for)

Here's the BC Employment Standards site. They should have a phone number to call with any questions that the website doesn't answer as well.
http://www.labour.gov.bc.ca/esb/

Read section 63 on how many weeks you're entitled to.

63 (1) After 3 consecutive months of employment, the employer becomes liable to pay an employee an amount equal to one week's wages as compensation for length of service.
(2) The employer's liability for compensation for length of service increases as follows:
(a) after 12 consecutive months of employment, to an amount equal to 2 weeks' wages;
(b) after 3 consecutive years of employment, to an amount equal to 3 weeks' wages plus one additional week's wages for each additional year of employment, to a maximum of 8 weeks' wages.

So sounds like...4 weeks severence?

[SportsJunky]

I wouldn't offer the reason unless they press you for it or they want to do an exit interview. I did exactly what you are doing two months ago. Quit my job of 4 years with nothing lined up. The answers everyone has given you are right (except I don't know yet what has happened with my matched RRSPs). I actually just signed a deal to go back to work with a company in a completely unrelated industry this afternoon and can't wait.

Enjoy the time off, clear your head and when you are ready hit the ground running with a new company that will be excited to have you on board.

Also, don't wait too long to put your name out there for new employers. I had a number of solid things in the works about a week after I quit and it took a couple months to get everything ready and to sign the contract.

Good luck man.

[BlackArcher101]

This might be repeating some others, but it's always good to see it from more than one person.
My question is how much notice do I give? Is two weeks the standard or do I give more because the length of time I have been there?

It is two weeks for 2 years or more of employment.

However my important question, of course revolving around money, is from my experience and from talking with other employees/management is that even when I give my notice I can expect to be let go that day or next.

Very common these days. Companies are anal about their intellectual property.

Now what am I entitled to? Everything you would have received during the 2 weeks or already have accumulated.

Do they still have to pay me for the time I put in my notice? Yes. They still owe you 2 weeks pay if you give notice and they walk you out the door (essentially the same as being fired without cause).

Do they still owe me my vacation pay? Yes, they owe you vacation pay you have accumulated. If you are 3/4 of the way through the year, then they only owe you 3/4 of the pay less any you have already taken.

Am I still covered by extended health, etc? It depends on your companies health plan. Some will cease on the last day of employment (after the two weeks) and some will have a longer grace period.

What happens with my company matched RRSPs? Depends how it's set up. With my company, they are mine immediately with no penalty.

I live in BC so I don't know if this would make a difference or if labor laws like this would be national. I have tried to look on the government websites but I can't find any real answers so I am hoping some CPers might have some knowledge on the topic.

Oh, didn't know you were in BC... hmmmmm.... you're screwed then sorry. Seriously though, I'm not sure of the differences between Alberta and BC regarding this, so what I said might be a moot point.

Thanks for the help!

[HOOT]

Originally Posted by Torture

Here's the BC Employment Standards site. They should have a phone number to call with any questions that the website doesn't answer as well.
http://www.labour.gov.bc.ca/esb/

Read section 63 on how many weeks you're entitled to.

So sounds like...4 weeks severence?

So even though I give two weeks they may still have to pay me for 4 weeks if they let me go early? Or should I give 4 weeks notice?

I just want to do this right to get the most paid time off if they let me go early Come on you know you would be thinking the same thing

[Cawz]

Originally Posted by HOOT

I plan on finishing my two weeks as a professional because I honestly do enjoy working for the company but just tired of the changes they are making; i.e. micromanaging 101.

It is more of me just needing a change because what is happening is NOT what I signed up for.

Yeah, change is good. Keeps life invigorating.

[BlackArcher101]

Originally Posted by Torture

If you want to tell them then there's really no reason not to, might help them change things to make it better for those still working there. If I was in their position I would likely want to know.

And just a small thing...it's employment law, not labour law....labour law deals with Unions. (Yup I'm being nitpicky but I'm an HR major so that's what I'm here for)

Here's the BC Employment Standards site. They should have a phone number to call with any questions that the website doesn't answer as well.
http://www.labour.gov.bc.ca/esb/

Read section 63 on how many weeks you're entitled to.

So sounds like...4 weeks severence?

If you read on, it states this:

(3) The liability is deemed to be discharged if the employee
(a) is given written notice of termination as follows:
(i) one week's notice after 3 consecutive months of employment;
(ii) 2 weeks' notice after 12 consecutive months of employment;
(iii) 3 weeks' notice after 3 consecutive years of employment, plus one additional week for each additional year of employment, to a maximum of 8 weeks' notice;
(b) is given a combination of written notice under subsection (3) (a) and money equivalent to the amount the employer is liable to pay, or
(c) terminates the employment, retires from employment, or is dismissed for just cause.

To me it reads as if the employee gives notice, then the employer is not liable for the payment schedule in Section 6 (2).

[HOOT]

Okay but I would at least be owed 2 weeks?

[BlackArcher101]

Don't see why not.