DEAR READERS: If you’re on the verge of resigning, you may be wondering if the rules have changed — do you really need to give two weeks’ notice? Can you tell your co-worker friends before your boss? Do you have to keep your new destination a secret until you start working there?

Resigning hasn’t changed that much even as work — how and where we work — and the workplace continues to evolve. Yes, you really should be courteous to give your current employer two weeks’ notice.

According to 2023 data from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, Baby Boomers held an average of 12 jobs from 18 to 56 — that’s resigning a dozen times! Given shorter time spans of American workers, that number is probably even higher for Gen X, millennials and Gen Zers, especially when factoring in cobbling multiple jobs and side hustle gigs.

Depending on your level, sometimes executives give months, not weeks of notice and, similarly, many positions in academia do the same. You may be wondering, “Hmmm, so they can let me go without any warning, and I should be polite and give two weeks’ notice? Double standard much?”

My answer is: You do you. But, technically the standard is two weeks.

When I worked in recruiting, oftentimes candidates wanted to start the following Monday. While that’s understandable, the hiring managers wanted to hear that they gave their two weeks’ notice because that showed a sign of respect that when they eventually resign from this new job someday, they will do the same act of respect to them.

It’s also protocol to tell your boss before your colleagues. Yes, even when you’re super close with your work family. Someone in the group may tell your boss before you get to and that’s just not a good look overall. There are some caveats to all of this — only you know your situation best, but if you have a toxic boss who is constantly missing, even when they work remotely they are rarely available for you to contact, but you see your work besties on a daily basis. Make that judgment call.

As for keeping your new employer top secret before you start working there, anecdotally, I’ve seen this become more lax over the years. This is your call. You may want to focus on wrapping everything up in your current role and letting everyone know that as soon as you start your new job, they’ll see it in your social media posts. Or, you may want to inform everyone when you resign, especially if you’re excited. Just be aware there may be a few rare instances where someone may try to sabotage you and contact your future employer. Hopefully and probably not, but you never know.

I want to emphasize the importance of leaving on good terms and not leaving your colleagues high and dry without any guidance for open issues; you never know — you may return to work there someday as a boomerang employee. You may recruit them to your new gig once you start working there and learn the ropes. You never know what the future holds, so leave your current employer with respect and dignity, the same way your future employer wants you to treat them.

Tribune News Service