quitting with no notice Forum

[psm11]

Ok so here is my situation:


I have been at a very small firm, 3 lawyers, as a legal assistant for a little over 2 months. I took the job after graduating undergrad, basically it was the only job I rc'vd an offer from so I took it just to make some money while I prepped for the LSAT and reapplied for law school this year. The job is pretty shitty; the lawyer who I am an assistant for is a complete asshole. He constantly berates me for what he perceives as mistakes when in reality it's usually his lack of communication w/ me. To make matters worse, I put up w/ this guy's bullshit for minimum wage (7.25/hr) . Just over the weekend I was offered a position w/ another firm, through a family connection, as a legal assistant for triple what I am making now and the firm is only minutes from my house. The people and overall atmosphere seems much, much better and laid back than where I am at now. The new firm who wants to hire me wants me to start immediately because their practice focuses on Marcellus Shale industry and there will be some training involved w/ some of the oil and gas companies they do work for. The people who provide the training are going to be at the firm this week training people and wont be back for a few months. I explained to the new firm that I don't want to leave my current firm high and dry and would like to give them a few weeks notice. The firm told me that they couldn't wait a few weeks and would have to hire someone else. I really can't pass up the money and am trying to learn the Marcellus Shale field, as I live in Pittsburgh and the Shale industry is huge here.


So, in this situation how bad would it be for me to just up and quit tomorrow? I know w/o a doubt that the people I work for could care less about me and my needs, as evidenced by my pay and treatment. Any suggestions?

[dixon02]

Go for it. Doesn't sound like you're likely to need to leverage your relationship with your current employer into anything in the future anyway. Two weeks notice is a courtesy, not an obligation.

[09042014]

Do it while profusely apologizing.

[KidStuddi]

They would not think twice about firing you if it was in their best interest, why are you doing so much hand wringing over quitting? From the description of it, I would say you would be more than justified if you quit even without a better job offer. Providing notice is courtesy, not a hard and fast rule.

Just explain the situation to your former employer and they'll either understand or they won't. Either way, you're an at-will employee and there's absolutely nothing they can do other than maybe give you a bad reference. If that's your worry, just leave it off your resume. A two month gap in your resume immediately after college will not raise any red flags anywhere. Enjoy the new job.

[Icculus]

Do it while profusely apologizing.

This. It's not like you're burning a bridge just to be a dick. You can't pass up the opportunity.

[Renzo]

Do it while profusely apologizing.

Yep. I'd write a resignation email that explains pretty much what you have in this thread: thanks so much for everything, but I have to take this opportunity because it is so much in line with what I want to do long term. I realize it's short notice, and I tried to do it another way, but it's unavoidable and I'm sorry.

[psm11]

Do it while profusely apologizing.

Yep. I'd write a resignation email that explains pretty much what you have in this thread: thanks so much for everything, but I have to take this opportunity because it is so much in line with what I want to do long term. I realize it's short notice, and I tried to do it another way, but it's unavoidable and I'm sorry.

Do you think I should write an email now and send it then show up tomorrow in person to collect my things and apologize in person? Or should I just wait until tomorrow morning and take care of it all in person?

[psm11]

Do you guys think I should just walk in tomorrow and tell them straight away? I would like to get it over with ASAP and, ideally, head over to the new firm tomorrow after I quit and start some of the training?

[Gorki]

Do you guys think I should just walk in tomorrow and tell them straight away? I would like to get it over with ASAP and, ideally, head over to the new firm tomorrow after I quit and start some of the training?

I would. Its hella awkward to sit working somewhere waiting to tell them you are gonna bail...

Plus, like you said you do not like the job at all... Time is ticking on the other firm's training.

[shock259]

I'd walk in and tell your boss right away in the morning, say you'll wrap up what you can for the day, then jet.

[Renzo]

Do you guys think I should just walk in tomorrow and tell them straight away? I would like to get it over with ASAP and, ideally, head over to the new firm tomorrow after I quit and start some of the training?

I would, but I would at a minimum offer to finish out the day so they aren't completely blindsided, and you can tie up a few loose ends.

[northwood]

call the firm and accept the offer and figure out when you are going to start. then tell your boss( and be prepared to be screamed at). make sure that before you leave your desk that day taht you have everything ready to go with you. I'd also be prepared to be escourted out of the building right afterwards- so make sure your important stuff is ready to go.

[Rocío]

Give notice, or go have an in-depth talk with your boss. Don't burn bridges if you want to be a lawyer. For example, as part of the character and fitness portion of being admitted to the New York Bar, you need to have every legal employer - including from paralegal work - submit an affidavit as to your work. Other states might require something similar.

[northwood]

true- but it sounds like opwill burn those bridges anyways even if op explains the situtation ( which OP should do)

[psm11]

Give notice, or go have an in-depth talk with your boss. Don't burn bridges if you want to be a lawyer. For example, as part of the character and fitness portion of being admitted to the New York Bar, you need to have every legal employer - including from paralegal work - submit an affidavit as to your work. Other states might require something similar.

I have a feeling even if I could give them notice they would still be shitty about it. When I took the job they told me how they had so much trouble getting someone into the position but after working there I could see why -- they treat everyone like shit. I mean never once did anyone come by my cubical and ask me how things were going at and everything. From day one the atmosphere was more or less "we are only putting up with your job bc the lawyers don't have time to do admin work".

[psm11]

true- but it sounds like opwill burn those bridges anyways even if op explains the situtation ( which OP should do)

Yeah I mean I think they would give me a shitty reference even if I was there for a year and went back to school. They don't give a shit about the admin people they more or less put up with us because they have to.

[09042014]

Give notice, or go have an in-depth talk with your boss. Don't burn bridges if you want to be a lawyer. For example, as part of the character and fitness portion of being admitted to the New York Bar, you need to have every legal employer - including from paralegal work - submit an affidavit as to your work. Other states might require something similar.

"I'm sorry Mr. X, your admission to the Bar of New Yorks denied because Shit Law Steve says you were a shitty paper filer. DING!FEG"

This would never happen.

[Rocío]

Give notice, or go have an in-depth talk with your boss. Don't burn bridges if you want to be a lawyer. For example, as part of the character and fitness portion of being admitted to the New York Bar, you need to have every legal employer - including from paralegal work - submit an affidavit as to your work. Other states might require something similar.

I have a feeling even if I could give them notice they would still be shitty about it. When I took the job they told me how they had so much trouble getting someone into the position but after working there I could see why -- they treat everyone like shit. I mean never once did anyone come by my cubical and ask me how things were going at and everything. From day one the atmosphere was more or less "we are only putting up with your job bc the lawyers don't have time to do admin work".

They might still be assholes, but that doesn't mean that you shouldn't be classy about it. Go out with as much style as possible. If your quitting somehow becomes an issue later, at least you can explain it. Leave that trail, though - a smart move would be to document your leaving, preferably in an email. Even a "reverse paper trail" is fine, where you send an email after talking to your boss recounting the conversation.

[KidStuddi]

call the firm and accept the offer and figure out when you are going to start. then tell your boss( and be prepared to be screamed at). make sure that before you leave your desk that day taht you have everything ready to go with you. I'd also be prepared to be escourted out of the building right afterwards- so make sure your important stuff is ready to go.

Lol. Be prepared to be screamed at? Escorted from the building?
Either you've worked for some extremely prissy people or you've seen too many movies. Turnover is extremely high in positions like this. How do you think OP got hired with 0 experience fresh out of undergrad? This really isn't that big of a deal.

Do you guys think I should just walk in tomorrow and tell them straight away? I would like to get it over with ASAP and, ideally, head over to the new firm tomorrow after I quit and start some of the training?

Write a memo detailing where you are in any current projects and print it out. Tomorrow morning just walk into the boss's office, calmly tell him that you got a great job offer and they need you to start immediately and that you hope he understands that you would not do this unless it was necessary. Hand him the memo and tell him that he should feel free to call you if he has any questions about the projects you were handling. Shake his hand, thank him for the opportunity, and then leave. It will take 30 seconds and be way easier than you think.

[clintonius]

call the firm and accept the offer and figure out when you are going to start. then tell your boss( and be prepared to be screamed at). make sure that before you leave your desk that day taht you have everything ready to go with you. I'd also be prepared to be escourted out of the building right afterwards- so make sure your important stuff is ready to go.

Lol. Be prepared to be screamed at? Escorted from the building?
Either you've worked for some extremely prissy people or you've seen too many movies. Turnover is extremely high in positions like this. How do you think OP got hired with 0 experience fresh out of undergrad? This really isn't that big of a deal.

Being escorted from the building is standard procedure when you get fired from an office job. OP is quitting, but from the sound of things, it might be wise for him to prepare to be treated like he's being fired.

[psm11]

call the firm and accept the offer and figure out when you are going to start. then tell your boss( and be prepared to be screamed at). make sure that before you leave your desk that day taht you have everything ready to go with you. I'd also be prepared to be escourted out of the building right afterwards- so make sure your important stuff is ready to go.

Lol. Be prepared to be screamed at? Escorted from the building?
Either you've worked for some extremely prissy people or you've seen too many movies. Turnover is extremely high in positions like this. How do you think OP got hired with 0 experience fresh out of undergrad? This really isn't that big of a deal.

Being escorted from the building is standard procedure when you get fired from an office job. OP is quitting, but from the sound of things, it might be wise for him to prepare to be treated like he's being fired.

haha well I don't know who would be escorting me. there are only 3 attorneys and a few support staff

[TJISMYHERO]

Give notice, or go have an in-depth talk with your boss. Don't burn bridges if you want to be a lawyer. For example, as part of the character and fitness portion of being admitted to the New York Bar, you need to have every legal employer - including from paralegal work - submit an affidavit as to your work. Other states might require something similar.

This. Some states require that you list every employer, legal or not. It probably wouldn't be a big deal, but if you give notice you don't have to even worry about it. Also, wouldn't your new employer question the way you treated your old one?

[psm11]

Give notice, or go have an in-depth talk with your boss. Don't burn bridges if you want to be a lawyer. For example, as part of the character and fitness portion of being admitted to the New York Bar, you need to have every legal employer - including from paralegal work - submit an affidavit as to your work. Other states might require something similar.

This. Some states require that you list every employer, legal or not. It probably wouldn't be a big deal, but if you give notice you don't have to even worry about it. Also, wouldn't your new employer question the way you treated your old one?

The person is a family friend and they are aware of the situation.

[psm11]

Well I am going to attempt to get some sleep and then march in there and tell them the situation. haha hopefully I make it out alive. thanks again for the advice everyone.

[Myself]

.