How to Give Two Weeks Notice?

[BortSimpson]

Since this pandemic started, how have people been giving notice to their firms? Are they calling the partners they work it? Email? Something else?

[papermateflair]

I didn't give notice during the pandemic, but I did have a partner who was out of the office when I needed to give notice, and couldn't wait until they came back (because someone else would have told them, which would have created bad blood). I just gave them a call and told them over the phone, and it was fine. There many be tertiary folks you work with where email is a better choice (like, if you need to tell 10 different associates who you barely talk to, but who it makes sense to tell in person rather than wait for it to work its way through the rumor mill), but for folks you work with and especially partners I would call them.

You're not really giving them the 2 weeks notice so much as telling them you're moving on to a new job - the formal notice is usually given to HR. But do that AFTER you talk to all of the important folks (you don't want people finding out because HR contacts them). If you can't get a hold of someone, leave a simple voicemail asking to talk whenever they have a minute. After your conversations with everyone you may want to send an email to everyone summarizing what's happening (when your last day is, the transition plan, etc.), but the partners should be able to guide you.

[Anonymous User]

First, I called the partners I worked closely with and my secretary. Second, I sent an email to my office. Last, I emailed HR.

It was fine. However, it was really strange going in and clearing out my office when no one was around and just walking out of the building the last time without any goodbyes and such. We were already having weekly office zoom meetings so that zoom meeting my last week was kind of my "goodbye" I guess.

[Anonymous User]

Going to re-echo calling those you want to hear it from you personally before contacting HR. While there is always some degree of discretion in these things, there is a lot that has to get moving between your notice date and final day. Teams need to be restaffed, cases transferred, exit memos, exit interviews, etc. As soon as HR knows, the ball rolls, and people find out faster than you could believe.