Do you even bother with notice???

[1982fxr]

these pricks want it both ways anymore. Treat ya like ****, expect a 2 week notice and then fire you when you give them the notice.

 

[1982fxr]

As an employer, small employer, I would like to be offered 2 weeks notice but would most likely ask the person to leave at the end of the day. In 25 years, I have only had one 2 guys quit. Can't remember if I had them stay or not. Laid off one, fired one, one retired, one died. Haven't had many at all.


To the OP, your expectations of the local shop being run like a dealership (Note you used the term stealership which implies how you feel they do business) was unrealistic. They probably didn't have the manpower or technology in place to itemize your check the way the dealer did. Now they should not be holding your money till the car gets picked up and paid for, that is not your problem. As far as being paid for each diagnostic, are you paid strictly off what you produce or is there some hourly compensation too or in lieu of what your work order produces. In a small business, its not unusual to give a little to a customer. Note, I don't know your compensation agreement and if they didn't live up to their end, then you have a right to *****, but nobody gets away with charging like a dealer except dealers so your expectations may have been high

grrrr

 

[neophyte]

these pricks want it both ways anymore. Treat ya like ****, expect a 2 week notice and then fire you when you give them the notice.

Its like employee manuals that are written from a legal standpoint but have no bearing on the way the employees are treated or the managers run the company.

 

[Tarheelgarage]

these pricks want it both ways anymore. Treat ya like ****, expect a 2 week notice and then fire you when you give them the notice.

Yeah, fuckem. The only notice they will get from me is when my box is gone and I'm no longer at work.

 

[NWphotog]

Well, doing the right thing is always the right thing, even if the other guy is a POS and doesn't deserve respect.

If you find another job, just tell them you need to wrap things up on your old job before you can start, and you won't know for sure how long that will take. Tell them two weeks tops, but if you can get out sooner you will. Remember that the way you treat and talk about your old employer is how they think you'll treat and talk about them. No employer will have a problem with a new hire wanting to do right by their current boss before they leave and it reflects well on you.

Then talk to your current employer. If they tell you to get the hell out, no big deal.

This.

 

[1982fxr]

my last job was with an event security company. They got a big contract at a sports venue. Picked their best people to work it because it was the most lucrative contract the company ever had. I got picked.

Two years later the venue looks at the books and decides to do security in house to save money. Owner of security company made TONS on this place for 2 years. Security company doing poorly otherwise though, and has NO jobs for any of us to transfer to. I was one of several asked to stay on.

Security company never even gave us an official notice that the contract was ending and we were going to be out of a job (which we weren't really because many of us were asked to stay). Once two weeks prior to cross-over hits a couple guys start giving their notice and guess what---relieved of all duties on the spot!

The employer had NO positions for us and then when some (not me) gave notice they got ******* canned for it! Unbelievable. Owner was mad about losing the contract and punished employees that did a good job for them for 2 or more years.

 

[Wanna Ride]

+1 mech-tech.

Giving notice is a gesture of respect. Respect is earned. I'd say this particular employer has not earned your respect.

It's commonplace for a lot of employers to release you as soon as you give a two-week notice. Not much you can do about it. Just enjoy the time off, I guess. I mean, you were going to leave anyway, now you have some time to get some stuff done before jumping over. And afterall, maybe the new employer can put you to work sooner.

Yeah, but small mom-and-pop shops are almost never run like legitimate new auto dealership shops are. You go to a new auto dealership shop, and they have a human resource department, an accounting department, etc. On the small, independent, good 'ol boy shops... usually the owner does it all. Or maybe his mom or wife does the books, and they almost never follow all the state and local rules on employee postings, pay, etc. Hell, if they did, most of them would be forced to close up in a matter of a couple months.

There's a big difference in a good man running a business, and another one being a good business man.

But to answer your question... give the traditional two-week notice. Regardless of how they treat you, or accept the notice. At the end of the day, you can honestly tell the next employer (and all others) that you did the right thing. They can nickle-dime you, but they can never short you of your integrity and honor.

 

[NC-Shaun]

Can you explain what this means and why you were given all the work?

OK......

If he meant anything like my last job was, it's that I was hourly and the boss charges X amount of hours to do a job. So the faster I worked the more money HE made...I never made more money for doing a job in a fraction of the time it should have taken. The boss was charging 23 hours of labor for work I did in 7...so I was fixing three different pieces of equipment and billing for them while the boss was still getting paid for the first one...so he was making tons of money on me hurrying while I just made X amount per hour...thus giving myself lots of extra work for absolutely no reason.

This /\

 

[NC-Shaun]

Reasons why I quit working on cars.

Hence the reason I USED to twist wrenches for a living but now I ONLY work on my own stuff.

 

[turdferguson13]

Hearing stories like this sure makes me feel better about my work! Good luck with finding a new job.

 

[Coach James]

I have had employees give me two week notice and I let them finish their two weeks. Several of those people I have hired back when they wanted to come back.

I have had others with the "*uck 'em" attitude and quit without notice. Some have called me weeks later and asked for their job back and it was nice telling them no. Other times, I was called for a reference. I naver trashed a former employee, but I would honestly answer the caller's questions, one of which is usually how much notice they gave when leaving and/or would you hire them back.

The few times I left a job, I always gave at least two weeks notice because I think it is the right thing to do. If I want to justify quitting without giving notice, I can always find a way to rationalize it, but it would still be wrong of me to do so.

Coach

 

[t4runner]

I guess I had it pretty good never worked for a bad shop and when I left I gave notice and worked my two weeks without incidence. I once worked for Hertz, all was good for two years until we came to work one morning and they told us to leave we were all laid off, To add insult to injury they had hired a security outfit to make sure we didn't steal anything on the way out, they told us to push our tool box outside and then they shut the bay doors behind us. Now to be honest Hertz was a good employer up to that point.
Now this may make some people sour but I still would give two weeks notice.

 

[tadwolfe]

Always take the high road and you will never have any regrets....Never sink to their level.
They do not deserve any respect, but I consider it respecting yourself.

 

[steveo3002]

sounds to me like youd work those 2 weeks and not get paid

 

[cinco]

The way I've got it figured, if a company can fire you without notice they can't expect anything more from you. Fair is fair.

 

[Flivver250]

Always take the high road and you will never have any regrets....Never sink to their level.
They do not deserve any respect, but I consider it respecting yourself.

+1 Agree completely. However, if they owe you money for hours worked and not paid, insist on them evening up the score immediately. Tell them this is your profession and not a hobby, you expect to get paid on time for services rendered. If they don't, you don't owe them squat. When an employer or anyone else for that matter stiffs you, you have learned all you need to know about that person.

 

[softailgarage]

3 months?! Dude!

Yeah, I know. Unfortunately the guy is a long time friend and believe it or not a good guy that's having serious problems. The techs have since left also, he's now a 1 man operation. Sad to see something like this happen. Had it been anybody else I would have been gone after the first missed payday.

 

[Wanna Ride]

It's very apparent that some of you have no idea of rights, laws, and just good ethics in the workplace.

Just a couple of facts (and laws in many states), regarding rights on firing and quitting;
- If you are fired or laid off, they have to pay you up to date at that time.
- If you quit, they don't. They are only obligated to pay you by the standard pay cycle.

While it's certainly not a law, or a legal requirement, the justification for giving a two-week notice, is that you may very well need THEIR good reference, for your next job. If they fire you, they certainly don't need YOUR good reference, for your replacement.

Additionally, in many states, an employer can't ask many questions at all regarding a prospective new hire. In fact, sometimes the only question they can ask is if the applicant actually was employed at the previous workplace that was offered as a reference. That being said, the reference can offer more information without being asked, but if that information is derogatory, then they may be breaking a law. It's usually the small businesses that violate these types of laws. Most larger companies and corporations have more to lose, so their human resource departments and managers are very well trained on employee rights and laws.

For some insight and education, google the phrase "right to work state".

 

[Hpozzuoli]

There's a fine line in this argument. Both sides have validity. Being an employer there were times I wished people left on the spot then was absolutely amazed they stayed the two weeks. On the other hand I have had walk outs in the middle of a shift. As an employer I try to judge someone on their book of work and not in the heat of the moment. I get calls all the time for referrals so I know how important having a referral is.....BUT if you think your current employer is such a pos that even if you do everything right he still won't say a good thing about you then I suggest you walk. Bridges are important and so is your sanity. I am not sure any referral is worth the emotional beat down some employers give to their teams. We are all human in the end.

 

[Cap'n]

If the employer is respectable, when you give them your two weeks, they should give you the option to leave immediately if you can start the other job.

The only time I gave two weeks when working for someone was close to the end of a seasonal farm job...I got offered a substantially higher paying job working on a lobster boat, and gave my boss the notice. I told him it was nothing personal, I enjoyed the work, we got along, just that the paycheque wasn't cutting it for me and I understood he didn't have the extra money to give me a raise.

I actually gave him about 3 weeks by the end of it, and worked my **** off during that time. He has a reputation of being hard to work for and giving bad references, but afterwards all he did was brag me up to everyone else in the area, which seriously helped build my reputation as a good worker.

Note that I live in a small town (about 700, mostly older), so word of mouth is everything. Since then, I've had 3 different seasonal jobs, all three of which they came to me asking me to work for them.

 

[Coach James]

It's very apparent that some of you have no idea of rights, laws, and just good ethics in the workplace.

Just a couple of facts (and laws in many states), regarding rights on firing and quitting;
- If you are fired or laid off, they have to pay you up to date at that time.
- If you quit, they don't. They are only obligated to pay you by the standard pay cycle.

While it's certainly not a law, or a legal requirement, the justification for giving a two-week notice, is that you may very well need THEIR good reference, for your next job. If they fire you, they certainly don't need YOUR good reference, for your replacement.

Additionally, in many states, an employer can't ask many questions at all regarding a prospective new hire. In fact, sometimes the only question they can ask is if the applicant actually was employed at the previous workplace that was offered as a reference. That being said, the reference can offer more information without being asked, but if that information is derogatory, then they may be breaking a law. It's usually the small businesses that violate these types of laws. Most larger companies and corporations have more to lose, so their human resource departments and managers are very well trained on employee rights and laws.

For some insight and education, google the phrase "right to work state".

What does quitting without notice or firing without notice have to do with being a right to work state? I can see the connection if it is a work at will state, but not a right to work state.

Coach

 

[mechan]

It's very apparent that some of you have no idea of rights, laws, and just good ethics in the workplace.

Just a couple of facts (and laws in many states), regarding rights on firing and quitting;
- If you are fired or laid off, they have to pay you up to date at that time.
- If you quit, they don't. They are only obligated to pay you by the standard pay cycle.

While it's certainly not a law, or a legal requirement, the justification for giving a two-week notice, is that you may very well need THEIR good reference, for your next job. If they fire you, they certainly don't need YOUR good reference, for your replacement.

Additionally, in many states, an employer can't ask many questions at all regarding a prospective new hire. In fact, sometimes the only question they can ask is if the applicant actually was employed at the previous workplace that was offered as a reference. That being said, the reference can offer more information without being asked, but if that information is derogatory, then they may be breaking a law. It's usually the small businesses that violate these types of laws. Most larger companies and corporations have more to lose, so their human resource departments and managers are very well trained on employee rights and laws.

For some insight and education, google the phrase "right to work state".

For some insight and education on a crappy work environment google "Right to Work State." You are DEFIANTLY RIGHT!

Employers just *have* to pay you up to date at the time one is let go that is why there is so much litigation around this subject. In which the employee usually gets no where except a case he or she has litigated to more expense then they were owed.

Employers who give bad references would also be subject to slander lawsuits. Good ethics in the workplace is an oxy-***** in most work environments. If the op's employer had good ethical bearing then he would probably not be contemplating dragging up.

 

[Lurch67]

Atleast from everything I've read from head hunters and recruiters the feeling is if you have made the decision to move you need to stick to your guns. Staying after giving notice supposedly doesn't work out well in general. (I would probably tend to agree.) Explaining why you are leaving or venting in the exit interview may be self satisfying, but the chances of a company changing how they are doing this is pretty small. You could in fact be doing your future career more harm by expressing opinions or sharing too much about a situation than is warranted. You made an agreement with the employer and they made an agreement with you; an hours work for an hours pay. You don't owe your employer any explanations for your decision to leave. If most employers extended common courtesy then the rate at which one changes jobs now days wouldn't be so high. Leave on clean terms and just give notice or drag up.

Agreed. Don't vent, because nothing will change, and you'll be placed in a bad light. I would give two weeks notice, but keep your box locked.

 

[Crow Horse]

Agreed. Don't vent, because nothing will change, and you'll be placed in a bad light. I would give two weeks notice, but keep your box locked.

X2. I might also add that when you speak with your future former employer, that you expect to be paid up to date on the day you leave. If not, kindly tell him that your BIL (or other suitable relative) is an attorney and will help you file a complaint with the State Labor Board. Smile when telling this and ask him if he understands what the consequences will be......

 

[tadwolfe]

My last job, I was very up front with them that another company had found my resume online and had offered me a job. I gave them 2 weeks notice. I was called at the start of the week and was fired. I applied for unemployment on them, received it and had my sweet revenge.

 

[scarney1988]

Sounds like you may want to Louisiana Final Paycheck Law. This is from LA's DOL.

Here is all the important information:

"§631 A(1)(b) Upon the resignation of any laborer or other employee of any kind whatever, it shall be the duty of the person employing such laborer or other employee to pay the amount then due under the terms of employment, whether the employment is by the hour, day, week, or month, on or before the next regular payday for the pay cycle during which the employee was working at the time of separation or no later than fifteen days following the date of resignation, whichever occurs first."

"§631 B. In the event of a dispute as to the amount due under this Section, the employer shall pay the undisputed portion of the amount due as provided for in Subsection A of this Section. The employee shall have the right to file an action to enforce such a wage claim and proceed pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure Article 2592."

"§631D.(1) For purposes of this Section, vacation pay will be considered an amount then due only if... both of the following apply:
(a) The laborer or other employee is deemed eligible for and has accrued the right to take vacation time with pay.
(b) The laborer or other employee has not taken or been compensated for the vacation time as of the date of the discharge or resignation."

"§632. Liability of employer for failure to pay; attorney fees
Any employer who fails or refuses to comply with the provisions of R.S. 23:631 shall be liable to the employee either for ninety days wages at the employee's daily rate of pay, or else for full wages from the time the employee's demand for payment is made until the employer shall pay or tender the amount of unpaid wages due to such employee, whichever is the lesser amount of penalty wages. Reasonable attorney fees shall be allowed the laborer or employee by the court which shall be taxed as costs to be paid by the employer, in the event a well-founded suit for any unpaid wages whatsoever be filed by the laborer or employee after three days shall have elapsed from time of making the first demand following discharge or resignation.
Amended by Acts 1964, No. 422, §1; Acts 1977, No. 317, §1.
"

The automotive repair industry is cited as being overtime pay exempt but you are entitled to be paid at least the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hr on the clock.

I would resign in writing informing your employer of the following:
-Your last day of reporting for work
-the amount you have yet to be paid (unpaid wages from previous checks) along with copies of proof
-The amount of vacation you are owed, if any (I would wait to 1/1/14 lol)
-The fact that you expect to be paid no more than 15 calendar days after your last day unless you are discharged previous to your stated last day which kicks in the following:
"A.(1)(a) Upon the discharge of any laborer or other employee of any kind whatever, it shall be the duty of the person employing such laborer or other employee to pay the amount then due under the terms of employment, whether the employment is by the hour, day, week, or month, on or before the next regular payday or no later than fifteen days following the date of discharge, whichever occurs first. "

Send it certified out of the local post office on saturday right before close so that it arrives monday. This will give you a paper trail should their be any issues (which would have to be settled in small claims court). It doesn't sound like you are concerned of appearances, so make sure you get paid and move on with life. I would even attach a copy of LA's Final pay check laws in case he is ignorant of them.

Good luck

 

[turdferguson13]

X2. I might also add that when you speak with your future former employer, that you expect to be paid up to date on the day you leave. If not, kindly tell him that your BIL (or other suitable relative) is an attorney and will help you file a complaint with the State Labor Board. Smile when telling this and ask him if he understands what the consequences will be......

False threats like that go nowhere.

 

[Steinmetz]

Lets say you left your stealership job that was a 45 minute drive away, and went to work at a local general repair shop because its close to home and kids school and they have a decent rep in town with customers. And for a bit it was cool, but now your kinda getting bonned. Like the paychecks aren't itemized, just a dollar amount, no listing of hours turned, what jobs you got paid what for and such. They don't pay the techs until the vehicle gets paid for and picked up and sometimes that carries over for two maybe three weeks. Sometimes they don't throw in time for diags. Hours quoted on job don't match up to hours paid. Stuff like that. I keep records of what I do and what has left the lot but its not matching up in my check.... On top of all that they take in stuff no jake-leg would even touch, write up a full diag on what its gunna need, and then they wanna nitpick on what work you do to it because the customer is a buddy and don't have a lot of money and maybe get paid for a diag, maybe they just toss it in for free. A few weeks ago they seriously towed in a car with a cv dropped out, it aint have no motor mounts!!!! rubber was completely missing, and the cv shaft got in such a crazy angle it broke. I diag and turn it in, they say well he only has like $150 to work with. Serriously? I just walked away and took a smoke break.

Should I even give these guys a two week notice like is the convention? My train of thought is that they aren't holding up their end of being a decent responsible employer so......

Why are you obsessing over protocol when an employer is stealing from your rice bowl?

 

[Danglerb]

Well, doing the right thing is always the right thing, even if the other guy is a POS and doesn't deserve respect.

If you find another job, just tell them you need to wrap things up on your old job before you can start, and you won't know for sure how long that will take. Tell them two weeks tops, but if you can get out sooner you will. Remember that the way you treat and talk about your old employer is how they think you'll treat and talk about them. No employer will have a problem with a new hire wanting to do right by their current boss before they leave and it reflects well on you.

Then talk to your current employer. If they tell you to get the hell out, no big deal.

+1

Find another job first, don't burn bridges, sometimes the troll under them ends up your boss again.

If the job really is convenient, have a friendly talk with the boss about how your goals are not being met. I would include a couple paychecks and your own records of time spent on the jobs. This would not be the talk where I would even hint at leaving, just make sure it isn't some kind of misunderstanding.

 

[unslow1]

+1

Find another job first, don't burn bridges, sometimes the troll under them ends up your boss again.

I would agree with that. Also any future employer will ask any of their guys if they know you or have worked with you. That walking out on them is bound to show up somewhere in your future. They may also know someone working in your current shop and give them a personal call. I make and receive those calls pretty regularly. What is allowed legally is very often implied. Like when they ask if he is eligible for rehire. The answer might be "Hell No!". Maybe when asked if you worked there the answer would be "When he was here" or "If you could call it work". Take the high road. Chances are pretty good you will eventually be bad mouthed if you walk.

 

[kiatech]

The boss was on lunch when I l left kia, would love to seen his face when he came back after lunch.

 

[Wanna Ride]

Clearly, it is not necessary to possess integrity and good ethics, to possess a computer and keyboard.

 

[unslow1]

One guy I used to work with at Advance Auto didn't come back from lunch. He said oh well I'm moving out of state and going to a new job there in a couple of weeks. He called up all ticked off that he lost his new job. He didn't realized that Advance actually owns several different auto parts chains. His new job was at a company that Advance owned. He discovered that by walking off the job he had an automatic no rehire in five different auto parts chains.

 

[neophyte]

One guy I used to work with at Advance Auto didn't come back from lunch. He said oh well I'm moving out of state and going to a new job there in a couple of weeks. He called up all ticked off that he lost his new job. He didn't realized that Advance actually owns several different auto parts chains. His new job was at a company that Advance owned. He discovered that by walking off the job he had an automatic no rehire in five different auto parts chains.

And that is the problem with monopolies, or corporations that are so big that they're almost the equivalent of them.

 

[Wanna Ride]

And that is the problem with monopolies, or corporations that are so big that they're almost the equivalent of them.

How is that a problem? For who? The employee with bad judgment, and lack of integrity?

If an employee walks out on the job, and can't go back to work for them, via another division, in a different state?

AAP doesn't own NAPA, PepBoys, AutoZone, O'Reilly's or many others, so how is that a monopoly?

 

[Thumper68]

I have only left one job without notice. It was a small, 20 or so employees, Sat installation company and we went from piece work employees to hourly, which for me cut my take home in half. I asked for a review and raise and after a phone review I was informed that my work wasn't good enough to receive a raise. I was doing twice the work of anyone else there that is why my pay took such a cut. This was during the work day in between appointments, I just told the Mgr that I was done. I parked the company van at a convience store called a buddy to come get me, grabbed all my tools and left. The next morning my phone was ringing and it was the local leos asking me about a "stolen" van I told them what happened and where to find the van about 90 miles away from the office.

The owner called me a few days later and asked me to take over the local office but I saw the writing on the wall and declined.

This company closed its doors with in 2 months of my leaving.

Have you talked to your boss about the issues, it may be that he just doesn't understand what is going on. I have had a few guys that had a Mgr doing the books and they were taking short cuts, I have worked piece work at many places and always kept my own accounting to check against the pay stub.

I always have given 2 weeks notice, I figure that if they let me go right away I'm in no worse shape than if I just walked out.

 

[DandDMachine]

When in doubt error on the side of caution and give the notice. You can never go back and give it once you leave. Be the better man, if not for both parties then at least for yourself. You never know what bridge you have to cross at a later date. I would give the notice, and tell them why. It may not help you but might help others working there in the future.

The only job I have ever been let go from was at a independently owned auto parts store. They had a machine shop that I worked at for 14 years. They got bought out by national chain store (Auto Plus) and they closed down the machine shop part of the store with no notice to us. They did offer us 4 weeks of severance pay and all our unpaid vacation. I guess that is actually even better than a 2 weeks notice since I got paid, and got to stay home. I shook hands with the manager and thanked him for giving me a job as long as they did. I started out on my own and have received many referrals from them. If I would have been rude about being let go they probably wouldn't be so eager to help me. Now, we have a good relationship that we both benefit from.

 

[gatewaysysop]

My only comment on this entire subject is that it depends.

Where I work now, there's strict policy about taking a job with a competitor, i.e. it becomes your automatic last day when you accept the outside offer. Some folks give their bosses a heads up that they're planning to accept something outside that would put them in such a circumstance, but not everyone.

Case in point, I know of one person who despised his current leadership so much that he strolled over at the end of the day, told his boss he'd accepted a gig with a competitor and that being the end of his last day, turned and walked out.

Now, would I do that to my current leadership, no. Would I do that to at least one inhuman piece of trash I worked for in an earlier part of my career at the same company? Absolutely.

Loyalty is a two way street. When a leader or a company shows their employees no loyalty, they should expect none in return. Yes there are times when you should be the better person and do right by the company, but there are also times when turning the other cheek only gets you slapped harder. The folks that talk about getting fired after they try to put in two weeks notice would be an example of the latter.

My only other parting contribution is that some bridges are worth burning, even if only to make sure you never go back across them yourself.

 

[neophyte]

How is that a problem? For who? The employee with bad judgment, and lack of integrity?

If an employee walks out on the job, and can't go back to work for them, via another division, in a different state?

AAP doesn't own NAPA, PepBoys, AutoZone, O'Reilly's or many others, so how is that a monopoly?

Advance Auto has sales in the billions of dollars, is the largest or second largest retailer of automotive replacement parts and accessories in the USA, has over 3,400 stores, and has over 55,000 employees. Even if they're not a monopoly, the percentage of the market they control is large enough that it might be considered a "controlling interest."

As far as the job goes your friend might simply be an idiot. There are other times when it's just better to pick up and leave to avoid problems. Some people have very problematic bosses, or managers, and generic corporate policies are usually written to avoid lawsuits, not necessarily to provide a functioning workplace.

Depending on the corporate structure of Advance Auto, and the other retailers they've purchased, as well as whether the individual stores are incorporated, as well as what state your friend worked in, Advance Auto may have violated employment laws. Some states have strict laws that dictate what a former employer is allowed to say about a former employee. If your friend was working in one of those states, and the future employer division of Advance Auto was separately incorporated, than Advance Auto likely broke the law.

 

[gatewaysysop]

... generic corporate policies are usually written to avoid lawsuits, not necessarily to provide a functioning workplace.

That one is going up on my wall at work. Awesome.