When did you tell your boss that you're moving?

[Vishenka69]

I'm really stressing out when to tell my boss that we'll be moving in July. So far I've only told two girls that I can totally trust. Both think I should wait until June when we get our bonus. I generally have a very good relationship with him and don't think he'll screw me. But the HR totally will if they can. I feel guilty only giving him 2 weeks notice (bonus hits accounts June 15th, I'd want to quit June 30th). We didn't even have our annual reviews yet, those will be some time in April. He is expecting me to stay and has made comments regarding where he sees my position developing in the next year or two. Since we never left NY, nobody is expecting us to do so now.

When did you make the announcement? Do you wish you'd done differently?

[SuzySunshine]

My boss knew we would most likely be leaving when we applied for residency so it was a little different situation. When I found out on Match Day that we were moving I gave them a rough idea of my last day and then gave them more specifics when I could.

Can you tell your boss without giving formal notice? Then maybe he wouldn't be required to tell HR and while he would be the wiser they wouldn't?? Then you can put in your formal two weeks notice once bonuses are paid? I don't think you have to tell your boss that the bonus is your motivation unless you're REALLY comfortable with him.

Or maybe just give him the heads up that DH is looking at jobs outside the city??

That's a tough one - I'm probably not much help, good luck!

I agree with Cheri.

I haven't had the exact same situation but was concerned about the possibility of being a "lame duck".

Do you know when the bonuses are input? I agree that an informal discussion with your boss, since you are comfortable with him, is something to consider. Maybe in a few months?

[SuzySunshine]

Oh, the other thing I was going to ask, do you get your bonus if you're on the payroll at a certain point? Like in my company you get your '06 bonus which isn't paid until late February if you leave before they're paid out but were on the payroll as of January 1st.

[Momo]

Do you know when the bonuses are input?

This is a great point. I fudged a little once, when contacting HR & payroll about a bonus issue...I made up something about "needing to know how much I was gonna have towards a down pymt on a house that I was planning on purchasing", and wanted to know how much & when to expect in my bonus check, lukily I got some help. Once I knew it was garunteed, I gave notice. I know I know not ethical :tsk: , but it worked! I got my bonus check a few weeks after I quit.

[Auspicious]

I agree that you should make sure you get your bonus, and I think even if that means only giving two weeks. :| It's tough being in the position where you think your boss wouldn't screw you but you think HR might (and in my experience if you think HR might then you're right). Surely your boss will understand that you were in that position, though.

I gave four weeks and it was still a bit of a mess. The only person at my office who knew I was even thinking of leaving encouraged me to only give two weeks, and so did just about everyone I asked IRL.

It's tough being in the position where you think your boss wouldn't screw you but you think HR might (and in my experience if you think HR might then you're right). Surely your boss will understand that you were in that position, though.

That is a good point. It is a hard position to be in.

[Stella]

Two weeks notice. Otherwise, a million things could happen that could prevent you from getting your bonus. If you care about the people in your company, that is great, but it shouldn't be at the expense of your money. :huh: Two weeks is standard, and plenty.

[DCJenn]

Totally depends on the company, your industry and what exactly you do for the company.

there's no such thing as bonus in social serivces. Ok, not true. I got $50 bucks once and this year a got a $50 gift card to Whole Foods. (bought cheese, crackers and wine...)

People knew when they needed to know. I know that telling early in once case prevented me from being fired when they fired my boss. (we found.. well the nice way to put it...12k embezzled from a dead MR client who died from breast cancer's account...her mother had written personal checks for years to one of the staff who had not deposited them in the company account but kept the money for herself... and we threatened to go to the Washington Post unless they reimbursed her mother...we were told that we were not team players...which was thankfully TRUE)

The last time I gave two months notice so that I could train the asshat who replaced me.

this time, I needed to only inform Nikolai that he was going to school as son as I could find a decent one close to home.

Seriously- only you know your company. Go with your gut and fear not the screwage factor unless you work in a tiny industry.

Two weeks seems short to me but if that is all you are required to give from your contract then that is all you should give. Its too bad you fear being screwed out of a bonus which I assume is what you have earned based on performance up to now. (sorry am a bit unfamiliar with the concept of bonuses, no such luck here!!)
I contractually have to give 4 weeks notice, but have given more than that, mostly because I needed a letter from my boss to apply for my green card! But, even if this was not the case I would have given a couple of months, because it will take that to hand over my projects.
So, it depends on your job and company, but if your 2 colleagues said give the 2 weeks they would know best.

I think your boss deserves a heads-up right away. I know two-weeks notice is standard but a position can rarely be filled in that time. I realize the focus here seems to be on the bonus and it would be nice to get but I really think its more important to tell your boss ASAP and help him fill your position.

I'm with the two week crowd on this one. While it would be lovely to be able to be helpful w/finding & training your replacement, sadly there really is no such thing as company loyalty these days - coming from either direction. I was in a situation before were I was the STAR employee, and gave long notice to be helpful, and my boss was so "mad" at me for leaving for the new opportunity that she cut me out of everything and treated me like crap for the remainder of my time.

You've worked hard for you bonus, and you need to protect it.

[migirl]

I agree with giving 2 weeks' notice. I wasn't in exactly the same situation, but when I went on maternity leave after having DS I let everyone think I was returning to my job ... so I could collect my maternity leave pay. After my maternity leave was up, I let them know I wouldn't be returning.

How is this ever going to improve if everybody is just looking out for #1? Look at this from the side of a business owner.

True. Sadly I think we've long turned the corner on this one though. People used to join a company for a lifetime, and the company rewarded them w/safe benefits and retirement. Now retirements are pilfered when a company gets in trouble, and people stagnate if they stay in one place too long. I don't think one person sacrificing her bonus will help to change this.

[pstone]

I gave notice (to stay home with kid) and probably missed a bonus by a week or so. Shrug, as I saw it money comes and money goes but I did what I thought was right. Was a great company and my boss is a good man and father, I gave him plenty of notice.

oh well.

[medpedspouse]

I hate sayig this but after being burned I'd say look after your best interest. I once gave 4 months notice to my boss who was very appreciative. My boss and all the staff threw me an awesome going away party...it was wonderful and I am still friends with everyone. However, HR is who screwed me. I was a number to them and was treated a such. My boss had nothing to do with it. :02: