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Ask HN: Ghost my company? (Updated)

6 points by catdraggedin ↗ HN
Update: will just chill and not give any shits until my time runs out.

Got a solid new gig lined up, but out of respect I gave my company a large notice before leaving so they could replace me.

They're lining up a ton of work for me to do for this 'sprint' before I leave.

Should I just ghost them?

13 comments

[ 6.7 ms ] story [ 47.3 ms ] thread
dorianm
You could just ignore the pressure and keep going at your own rhythm.
catdraggedin
That's probably the best option.
pizza
But what future opportunities can they rescind if you don't accept being exploited?

I always hear people saying something like "I should always be as valuable and loyal as possible to my employer."

But I'm like NO!!! Instead I would hope to live by the idea that "I should always be as valuable and loyal to my personal life as possible."

It's overwhelming for people to have to try to deal with expectations of "negative guidance" from your job, whether that means being overworked or not meeting some stupid evaluation heuristic or being punished by office politics. But still people believe "well if I just keep a smile on my face and work as hard as I can, one day I'll be recognized as more valuable than prior underestimations, and rewarded beyond my imagination" - but, really, it's often the nature of hierarchies that the unknown downsides can go a much longer way down than the upsides can break through a glass ceiling if you aren't already at the top.

sheraz
I think this is great advice. Always look out for number 1 (hint: that's you).
codegeek
I keep saying this to people. No one is looking out for you EXCEPT YOU. You felt bad and gave a large notice. What did you expect ? OF course, they will try and squeeze as much out of you as possible. You should have given a standard notice (2 weeks in the United States is the norm) if at all.

Now you are stuck because if you "ghost" them now, it looks bad and you become the bad guy/gal. You can always talk to them and ask "Things have come up and I need to get out early". If they truly respect your time, they will let you go. A few days don't matter when someone is quitting. If not, you brought this upon yourself. Not trying to be a meanie but please, be selfish when it comes to your career. I feel like a broken record repeating the same things over and over on many forums.

Rekaiden
No. You had some respect for them (for some reason) and made this arrangement; stick to it.
pizza
This is designed to make you burn out in a matter of weeks because after you quit your wellbeing makes no difference to them. For your employer it's like, "Well, we won't have to worry about any long-term consequences of exploiting your labor down to your last shred of value, so why not increase your burn rate while simultaneously under compensating you for it?"

The respect is evidently one-sided.

Relevant quote: "Never say no twice if you mean it."

JSeymourATL
> They're lining up a ton of work for me to do for this 'sprint' before I leave.

I've found that Networks are surprisingly small. How you depart will reflect on your professional reputation for years to come. Push-back appropriately on work-load.

But do make an extra-effort to detail and communicate a thorough transition plan. Stay classy, be helpful to your team on your way out.

bsvalley
What is your definition of "respect"?

- enough time to for them to see you physically in the office before you disappear?

- enough time for them so that they can complete their goals on time before you leave?

AznHisoka
2 weeks is standard. i left 2 gigs and eqch time i felt it wasnt enough time at all but both times they were ok with it. they know how business works. even if you are the ceo, 2 weeks is expected.