Do and Don'ts When Resigning from Work?

After 6 years of working at a supermarket, I have finished uni and found a graduate position.
I'm just curious as this is the first time I have left a job, what peoples advice is and experiences they have encountered. Some of my concerns:
1) I have over 50hours of sick leave that i'm trying to get rid off since it doesn't get paid out
2) Moving/Changing my super?
3) How much notice to give?

Thanks

Comments

  • +14

    1) I have over 50hours of sick leave that i'm trying to get rid off since it doesn't get paid out

    It's not like annual leave, and shouldn't be taken unless you are unfit to work.

    3) How much notice to give?

    I'd give as much as possible. I think it's 4 weeks if you were full-time. You've already got a new job and likely to work there either way, so why not give them as much notice as you can.

    • thanks

    • +5

      I know someone who was in a temp position and thought what the hell, I'll just abuse the sick leave since I'm entitled to it. Literally sick one day a week for like 10 weeks straight.. the boss eventually had enough and as her contract was about to end, they had a permanent role opening and was not considered for the role,. Karma, I say . Don't abuse it as it may leave a bad taste on your departure and a bad reference too.

      • +5

        Correct. Plus you may get bad comments from the old employer. The bottom line is that abusing stick leave is unethical.

  • +2

    Minimum notice depends on your contact. You can rollover the super into your preferred fund yourself. You might even be able to do it before you leave to ensure the last tranche gets deposited there. If you got on well with a particular supervisor, ask them if they'd be willing to give you a reference. Might be handy later.

    • Yeah I have both referees on my resume from work.

  • -7

    4 weeks notice, be 'sick' for the last week

    • -2

      Better to be sick first, then give notice if there is enough time.

  • +7

    1) sick leave is like insurance, you should only use it if you have to. You may not use all your entitlement, but you may never claim on your insurance either. It is there to be used, not abused.

    • +1

      I'm sure the Supermarket screwed him over enough, take the sick leave!

      Also, buy stuff that never goes on special before you leave.

      • +4

        If it was screwing him over why did he continue to work there for six years?

        • +2

          Cos it's hard to find jobs in Australia.

        • +2

          Student and flexible hours to suit?

        • +1

          What a stupid question

    • -3

      I start on the 18th of May. My boss knows i have been going to job interviews and eventually find a new job. I just hate the idea of 50hours of sick leave(around $1000) going to waste so to speak.

      • +14

        Karma will probably bite you in the arse if you abused the sick leave accumulated at your current job. Imagine a twisted ankle in your first 3 months at the new job

        It sucks it can't be used or cashed out, but it's like car insurance, you can't claim it back if you don't have an accident.

        • +13

          Imagine if your boss gave you a glowing reference to a future employer who paid you $5000 more on your salary - to me it's a no brainer. Don't touch the sick leave.

          You'd be really pissed if your boss gave you a shitty reference because you were suddenly sick for 50 hours despite an otherwise good career history over 6 years.

        • +3

          people used to believe in god in old times now that they wanna say we dont believe in super naturals they say Karma.

      • +1

        Fake a broken leg on your last week. Cast your leg and get crutches. Go into work so they see you, so they know it's real - it's not. That way you get your sick leave paid out and keep a good reference.

  • +2

    If its woolies you work for, maybe they will sack you?

  • Flip over your desk and flip off everyone in the office as your slowly walk backwards towards the exit.

    http://cdn.someecards.com/someecards/usercards/1343191302976…

    or this from Office Space
    http://knote.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Must-Watch-Offic…

    • The Office Space one would be a great way to keep my 5% woolies discount card. nek minnut 60 years old and still have discount card. I can dream…

  • +24

    Don't burn your bridges, if you were concerned about your sick leave you should have used it earlier and more discreetly rather than in your last month.
    You don't know if you may ever need a good word from them in the future…. abuse your sick leave and you risk an average reference.
    Your call.

  • Slip a mickey into your boss drink

  • +15

    Congratulations on your new job. A few tips:
    _ Don't take sick leave if you are not sick. Make your professionalism stand out. Most employers know when you are not telling the truth.

    _ Do connect via LinkedIn with your managers before you leave. It is great if some will endorse your soft skills.

    _ Don't give your resignation via email/phone. Make an appointment with manager and hand in your resignation letter personally. Four weeks notice is quite reasonable but check the company policy.

    _ Do ask for a written recommendation letter. Ask if the manager (and possibly a colleague) can be your referee.

    _ Do get an email/phone contact details of a relevent HR person before you leave. It may come in handy if you need some document copies at tax filing time, etc.

    _ Do leave an alternate email address with manager/HR.

    _ Do keep track of you super.

    _ Don't bad mouth old employers to new employers. Ever.

    Wish you a happy and rewarding career.

    • +1

      The people that never take their sick leave are the same people that never go over the speed limit either.

      Astute observation! People that don't abuse their employee entitlements also tend to not break the law. Bravo, Sherlock!

      • Good goy, follow the rules and you will be rewarded.

  • 2) Moving/Changing my super?

    You can read all about this when you need to fill in the superannuation form for your new job :) Basically says you can choose to continue using your old super or use the new company's chosen super fund, if you do that it's up to you to combine your super funds, look up your old super policy for fees etc

    3) How much notice to give?

    Depends on company policy! You'll get a feel for it as you work as well, depending on your relationship with the company and workload. A friend of mine resigned but had other plans, he was planning to do some travel and other freelance work so he was still flexible, and he ended up staying a little longer than the 4 weeks notice. But when you are changing jobs, the hiring company will also have an expectation, e.g. they'll ask when you are able to start etc

  • +1

    Sick leave is not a rem/benefit in the same way as your annual leave is. It is there to give you piece of mind should you need to use it. The moment you stop thinking about it as a lost benefit, the easier it will be to let it to. Some employers (such as my own) are moving to a 'unlimited' sick leave scheme, as studies have shown it is abused less when employees dont perceive it as an entitlement with a set value.

    Super - see what sort of plan your next employer offers and make a judgement call. Bare in mind that Woolies has significant buying power, so you may already be on a good plan.

    Notice - give your full notice. They will still be a reference for you the next time you apply for a job, so keep them onside.

    • +1

      Yeah. 'The moment you stop thinking about it as a lost benefit, the easier it will be to let it go'

      This forum has pretty much done that.
      I have a good working relationship with my managers and its not worth it to risking it for something like this.

  • This will be a good experience for you if you do it right (in person). If you like your boss, telling them that you're leaving or interviewing elsewhere can be a really hard thing to do.

  • +4

    that is alot of sick leave.
    your best bet would have been to use it up over time.
    take a day off here, a day off there, when you needed it to get some extra study done.
    no point blowing it all in the last few weeks you have left.

    don't hate.

  • +1

    Part 3.1.4 of the Coles Retail Agreement 2011 states that you only need to provide 1 week's notice when notifying your employer of termination of employment.

    Part 2.10.3 of the Woolworths National Agreement 2012 states that you are required to give 4 weeks notice as you have been employed for 5+ years, however if the company agrees, you may give one week's notice.

    Could not find specific information for Aldi (didn't dig very deep), but I'm just assuming you work for either Coles/Woolworths.

    Other than that, you are not entitled to 50 hours of sick leave (unless you are actually sick), so don't think you deserve to "cash it out" for one minute. It's not there to be abused as others have said. Simply ensure you give enough notice, and then that's that. Don't burn bridges on your way out :)

  • -3

    hey is that you ****** (name removed for privacy reason). Please see me in the office on Monday first thing to discuss further.

  • I never take sick leave. I don't even know what the usual entitlement is. What ever it is, 9 years worth less a few days is what I will leave without touching when I go.

  • "I have over 50hours"

    I have no idea how I'll ever use up my 73 'days' of sick leave. Only ever taken 2 sick days in 7.5 years, and even then I felt guilty.

    I do sometimes wish we could 'cash out', portions of such entitlements.

    • +1

      I have no idea how I'll ever use up my 73 'days' of sick leave.

      A raw chicken dinner after licking the floor of the infectious disease ward will probably do the trick.

      Seriously though, your employer should be rewarding you somehow if you only had two days off in nearly eight years.

    • I have over 1000 hours of sick leave. I have made sure my family knows if I am hit by a bus to keep my life support on until it is all used. No one has to visit - I just hate the thought of leaving it. That being said I have over 20 working years left so I should use it as I get older and start falling apart. Also my funeral is to be held on a weekend so that the people who come actually come to see me off not just to get a day off work.

  • After 6 years of working at a supermarket, I have finished uni and found a graduate position.
    I'm just curious as this is the first time I have left a job, what peoples advice is and experiences they have encountered. Some of my concerns:
    1) I have over 50hours of sick leave that i'm trying to get rid off since it doesn't get paid out
    2) Moving/Changing my super?
    3) How much notice to give?

    The most important thing is don't burn your bridges, therefore:-

    1) Just leave you sick leave alone, taking it leaves you with a bad reputation
    2) Fill out a super roll over form when you leave
    3) 4 weeks notice, is enough time for them to interview and get a replacement in the pipeline

    Play your cards right and you might be able to use them as a referee in the future.

    Good Luck with your new role.

  • +2

    When my dad took redundancy from Telstra years ago he had over 13 months worth of sick leave accrued, so don't think you're being hard done by ;p

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