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My company requires three months resignation notice for senior managers.  I was told that this is common in Europe (the parent company is based in Switzerland, we are in Canada).

I have accepted a new job offer, and the new employer is okay with waiting that long.  If my current position had been bearable, I would not be moving on.  The driving force for this change is much more getting away from something bad, and less going towards something good (although the new job is a good opportunity).  

The current company has stated they definitely want to keep me on right up to the end.  

Needless to say, staying professional and effective in my current role gets more and more difficult as time goes on.  I am now six weeks post-resignation, so about half-way to the end.  I feel like I have already gone above and beyond, under what would be "normal" circumstances.

Anyone have advice how to keep the positive attitude going, and avoid looking too far ahead to one-foot-out-the-door?

Thanks,

NMacK

JonathanGiglio's picture
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Several points here.

1) When you make a commitment, stick with it. You're almost done, just keep going.

2) You are only entitled to hold to a commitment that was negotiated in good faith. Kind of like you're only entitled to an honest answer to a question you are entitled the answer to. Would the company give you three months notice before terminating you? And I don't mean three months severance, I mean notice. If not, then that stipulation on you was particularly one sided and in bad faith on their part. Don't use that as an excuse, but sometimes we have to pick the lesser of two evils.

3) Why do they want you around anyway? I agree you should not burn a bridge here and you're almost done anyway. But really, what are the consequences of you not living up to expectations - other than not being able to come back. Just because you're a Senior Manager doesn't mean you have to put in 80 hours a week after you resign. Clock in, clock out, move on. I understand them wanting time to find the right person to help transition, but you need to be transitioning too. Transition everything!

"This task - yes, XYZ will be handling that after I'm gone. Allow me to introduce you."

"Train my replacement? Well, you'll be reporting to So and So. Allow me to introduce you."

"Important meeting at noon? Yeah, I've got a lunch break scheduled. You should invite this person instead."

When it's not your problem any more, it's not your problem. Let it go.

Good luck!!