[Hello2016]

Hi everyone, need your input, i found a new opportunity. And will go to work on4/10, and my current company will give out bonus on3/31. I was planning to give them notice right after I receive my bonus, but yesterday my boss just come talk to me, “u did a very good job , and we get some need special approval , and u should receive the bonus more than u expect. Keep up the spirits ” something like this. Right now I am feeling so guilty about it, should I let them know I am leaving. But I am afraid my bonus will be gone ignore I tell them the truth. Please advise, Andy I Ann determined to leave already. Thank you!

[CPAIN2K17]

You should give them two weeks notice, which would have been yesterday.

[mooseonloose]

You are receiving the bonus for the good work you performed in the past, so you should not feel guilty at all since you deserved it. I would give my two week notice, it should not reflect upon your bonus.

[Missy]

2 weeks notice is customary but not required, however it does burn some bridges especially on the day of bonus payments. Since you're already under 2 weeks may as well wait but be prepared for it to be received poorly. Personally I might ask the new job if I could start on the 17th and give notice on the 31st but thats not always feasible.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[ruggercpa2b]

My cousin got married and was moving to the U.K. To be with her husband. Her boss knew about it and told her not to put in her notice till after bonuses were paid out because she would not have received her bonus had she made it official that she was leaving. It was no secret and she had been upfront about it months after finding out she would be moving. Not sure how your company operates. But I would go the route mla just suggested and ask to start later.

AUD - 73, 72 retake 7/2/2016
BEC - 8/20/2016
REG - TBD
FAR - TBD

I am so ready for this nightmare to be over. Been at this way too long.

[gigabyte2001]

Agree with mla also. Usually new company will understand if you say you'd lose money by giving notice any sooner.

B - 11/11/16
A - 4/16/16 87!!
R - 2/17/17
F - 7/26/16 - Waiting for 8/23

[kw7120]

You should NOT give notice before you get your bonus. Take the money that you have earned. Ask yourself, if they decided to let me go,would they give me two weeks notice? The answer is no. They would have security walk you to the door. There could be a contingency which most company's have that bonus are paid to current employees only. Or employees in good standing. I have worked for over 30 years. Trust me, don't be naive (I say that with respect), you worked and they paid you for the money that you earned them, you don't owe them more than that. Confirm your direct deposit, then give your notice. Good luck!

[Hello2016]

Thanks everyone!!!!

[Trele6]

@kw7120 is 100% correct. If the company was going to lay you off or get rid of you they wouldn't tell you two weeks in advance(unless offering a voluntary retirement layoff). If you give notice beforehand they might take your bonus completely away or reduce it. Not worth the risk.

Remember, working is business and business is cut throat sometimes. I'd always advise to not burn any bridges because you will be amazed at how small the business world really is, but in this situation you have to do what is best for YOU. Don't do what is best for the company company because when things turn bad the company will always do what is best for IT, not you.

You can love the people you work with, but never give any company your absolute trust or faith that they will do what is best for you, because in the end they wont.

Just a real world example. My company did layoffs about 2 years ago. We had employees as new as 9 months to the company and some with as much as 43 years experience. They were all walked out of the building by security like they were thieves with little to no emotion shown. Once a company doesn't want you anymore, you are just a liability to them and that is it. Giving notice puts you in that liability category also.

First go at the CPA! Only using Becker
Reg / Nov 2015 - 87
Far / Apr 2016 - 79
Bec / May 2016 - 80
Aud / Aug 2016

[Anonymous]

100% do not give notice before the bonus is paid. Even if it is based on past performance, there is a good chance they will screw you out of it. Most companies have a policy that says you must still be employed in order to receive a bonus, but it is a gray area and totally discretionary.

[Author]

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