They wouldn't give you a 2 week notice if they were going to fire you. I would leave after I got the bonus though.
I do believe that the previous employer can state that a 2 week notice was not given if a future employee did call. Can't you go back to your new employer and tell them you'd really like to give them more notice and start on the 19th? At least you could ask.
Since Texas is an at-will state, I don't believe this is true. I think they can only verify employment.
Please tell me how accepting a bonus that he earned based on work done in the previous year and not giving 2 weeks notice makes the OP a theif?
I'd just quit after the 2nd. You're going to a great job and you're already hired from what it sounds like. I doubt they'll care if you gave a notice or not.
Not legally. It certainly happens, but the only thing you're supposed to tell them when they call for a reference is if they worked the time they said or not.
Personally, I would try and get the new employer to agree to a later start date. It will show them you are committed to the work you've been doing, respect your peers, are loyal, and value your reputation. This will allow you give your current employer more of a heads-up. If you hate your current employer -- screw em'. I hated my previous employer, put in my two weeks right before Christmas, I knew I'd be missing out on my X-Mas bonus. I probably should have done the wrong thing... but the company would have really hit a wall without me training other employees.
Wait for the bonus then the next day tell your superior/HR that you received a job offer that you want to take but the only way you can take it is if you start on March 5th
I think the biggest issue is anticipated bonus size. If your annual bonus makes up a large chunk of your comp, and is expected to be big, doing anything to jeopardize that, even at the risk of future "bad blood", would be dumb. If were talking a few hundred bucks or a much smaller % of annual compensation, than it's a personal issue for you - what is your current cash position, what will make you come out of the situation feeling the best, etc.
Your current employer will steal your bonus if given the chance. If the choice is between ****ing them or letting them **** you, then you better get to ****ing right away.
I would have immediately asked for a later start date. Also, if it was possible to lose this bonus, I would have negotiated that with the new company as a signing bonus.
Not the American way. The American way is to bend over for your company, no matter how they treat you.
Like others have said, I would see if you can start the new job at a later date. I'd hate to be in that situation, but if you are seriously worried they would screw you out of your bonus then I think you are forced to keep quiet until after your bonus is received.
I will gladly advise you on what to do in this situation. My consultation fee is typically 15% or $250, whichever is greater.
I was in a similar situation a few months ago. Initially I felt bad that I wasn't going to give adequate notice but I kept reminding myself that it was a better career choice and that I should still be able to benefit from my hard work by getting my bonus. I haven't looked back since.
I appreciate the "screw over corporate America before they screw over you!!!!11" sentiment, but you guys have to realize that there are a lot of industries out there where this would be career suicide. Why would you want to risk your career just to make a larger point about evil corporate America? It would be like cutting off your nose to spite your face. And this is coming from a guy who has quit more than one job by going to lunch and never coming back.
Priority should be such, imo. 1. Get the later starting date so you can get your bonus and then two weeks notice. 2. Get your bonus and then put in notice, risking later repercussions. 3. Give two weeks notice now, risking your bonus. So 1 is ideal by far. After that I'd rather make sure I get my money now versus a small possibility of me losing money later (by not getting some job).
