When should I give notice? Forum

[Anonymous User]

I'm a junior associate at a biglaw firm. I'm starting a new job on January 18th, so my last day will be on January 15th.

Trying to decide if I should give notice tomorrow (the day that my bonus is payable) or if I should wait until the 4th. Any thoughts?

[Lacepiece23]

I'm a junior associate at a biglaw firm. I'm starting a new job on January 18th, so my last day will be on January 15th.

Trying to decide if I should give notice tomorrow (the day that my bonus is payable) or if I should wait until the 4th. Any thoughts?

I’d personally wait until that money clears before doing anything. I’d risk the “burning of bridges,” which I think is overstated.

Will people really remember that you have 13 rather than 14 days notice or whatever.

[Anonymous User]

Bonus is already in my account, it's just "payable" as of December 30th (so I have to be employed and in good standing then).

I'd prefer to give notice earlier as then I could start handing stuff off.

[Anonymous User]

Bonus is already in my account, it's just "payable" as of December 30th (so I have to be employed and in good standing then).

I'd prefer to give notice earlier as then I could start handing stuff off.

Also curious others' thoughts on this. I really don't think waiting til the 4th to give notice helps your case in any way, and might as well just give notice ASAP (i.e., the 30th), but definitely open to other thoughts.

[Elston Gunn]

What would be the benefit of waiting if the check has cleared? Not bothering people over the holidays? If there’s a partner you work with who you know is working anyway, I’d just do it sooner rather than later. I’m sure they’d slightly prefer the extra time to hand things off.

[Anonymous User]

I think OP's concern is that if OP gives notice on the 30th, OP's firm will say "you're fired, also, since you are not employed with us as of today, the day your bonus is payable (even though we paid it to you a day early), you need to pay it back to us."

Seems far-fetched, but wondering if there is a benefit of waiting until the 31st to give notice.

[joeshmo39]

Even giving notice on Jan. 4 gives you 10 business days to transition matters. That's plenty of time.

[Anonymous User]

OP here. I think I'm going to give notice on the 31st so I'm clear on the bonus and can hopefully enjoy the weekend a little more.

[Elston Gunn]

I think OP's concern is that if OP gives notice on the 30th, OP's firm will say "you're fired, also, since you are not employed with us as of today, the day your bonus is payable (even though we paid it to you a day early), you need to pay it back to us."

Seems far-fetched, but wondering if there is a benefit of waiting until the 31st to give notice.

Oh, ok, sure. Do it on the 31st then.

[Anonymous User]

I'm giving notice on Monday 1/4 because I don't intend to look at my phone tomorrow (or over the weekend), even if it's just to call a partner. Congrats to everyone who is on their way out!

[sparty99]

I'm a junior associate at a biglaw firm. I'm starting a new job on January 18th, so my last day will be on January 15th.

Trying to decide if I should give notice tomorrow (the day that my bonus is payable) or if I should wait until the 4th. Any thoughts?

I would give notice on January 4th.

[12YrsAnAssociate]

Man, why not do an out of office that says you're attending to a personal matter and will not be available until 1/4. What's the worst they could do if they don't like it?

[Whatislaw]

I've been curious about giving notice. If you give notice and the firm says you're "fired" in response, does that still count as a resignation? Also, anyone ever pull off giving notice to a firm they like but are truly moving on just to pursue better opportunities (i.e. more comp) on such good terms that they could later return to this firm if they wanted? I'd love to learn more about how that could be executed for future use purposes.

[Anonymous User]

Man, why not do an out of office that says you're attending to a personal matter and will not be available until 1/4. What's the worst they could do if they don't like it?

Is there a downside to giving notice on the 31st that I'm not tracking?

[Whatislaw]

I think its just an issue of whether you're willing to sell your New Year's eve and the first weekend to Partners asking you to transition your cases.

[Anonymous User]

Oh I'm hoping to save my weekend. It's set to suck pretty bad but can tell people to fuck off a little more.

[Anonymous User]

Oh I'm hoping to save my weekend. It's set to suck pretty bad but can tell people to fuck off a little more.

Likewise. Kind of hoping to be shown the door to be honest.

[Anonymous User]

Oh I'm hoping to save my weekend. It's set to suck pretty bad but can tell people to fuck off a little more.

Likewise. Kind of hoping to be shown the door to be honest.

Like the ideal is that I give notice, get restaffed pretty early and then coast for a couple weeks.

And if people try to drop stuff on me I'll just do it when I do it.

[Anonymous User]

Can say that pulling an almost all nighter has made the decision to give notice tomorrow 100%

[Anonymous User]

Can say that pulling an almost all nighter has made the decision to give notice tomorrow 100%

Ha, same boat. I'm also getting super snippy emails from a partner, so just excited to let them know. Imagine they'll do a surprised Pikachu face.

[Anonymous User]

Just gave notice. Yay!

[Elston Gunn]

Also, anyone ever pull off giving notice to a firm they like but are truly moving on just to pursue better opportunities (i.e. more comp) on such good terms that they could later return to this firm if they wanted? I'd love to learn more about how that could be executed for future use purposes.

If you’re going in-house or to a firm in a city where your firm doesn’t have an office, and you’re well-liked, it’s pretty common to get at least an implication that they’d be happy to have you back. There’s nothing special you’d need to do about giving notice other than giving 2 weeks and transitioning your matters well. If you’re leaving for a different firm in the same city? That’ll be trickier, but it’s still probably possible if you just emphasize what you like about the new place (not just comp) and don’t imply you’re unhappy at your current firm.

[12YrsAnAssociate]

Man, why not do an out of office that says you're attending to a personal matter and will not be available until 1/4. What's the worst they could do if they don't like it?

Is there a downside to giving notice on the 31st that I'm not tracking?

No, you're right. My point was that there's not much down side if you're not afraid of getting a bad review next November. But if the money has cleared, I think giving notice on the 31st works. Congrats. I'm fucking buried at work and I'd love to give notice, but I've gotten too used to spending money like I'll always have a biglaw salary.

[Anonymous User]

I was planning on giving notice on January 4, but I am having work piled on my plate right now, including what looks like working all day tomorrow. Should I just wake up tomorrow and tell them I’m done?

[Anonymous User]

Also, anyone ever pull off giving notice to a firm they like but are truly moving on just to pursue better opportunities (i.e. more comp) on such good terms that they could later return to this firm if they wanted? I'd love to learn more about how that could be executed for future use purposes.

If you’re going in-house or to a firm in a city where your firm doesn’t have an office, and you’re well-liked, it’s pretty common to get at least an implication that they’d be happy to have you back. There’s nothing special you’d need to do about giving notice other than giving 2 weeks and transitioning your matters well. If you’re leaving for a different firm in the same city? That’ll be trickier, but it’s still probably possible if you just emphasize what you like about the new place (not just comp) and don’t imply you’re unhappy at your current firm.

Hmm at my experience level, I would be thinking of another firm in the same area. Not same city, but same general area. Any recommendations on factors to emphasize if I can't use comp?