Workplace Culture

» Melissa Dylan - how long do you give an employer before resigning

In response to how long do you give an employer before resigning posted by ekimyam:
This is a difficult situation to give a blanket answer for. If the two of you never discussed your expectations up front, and there is no contract, then you're definitely under no obligation to stay. But it seems as if you already know that, and simply want verification that leaving is A-OK so you don't have to feel guilty. Unfortunately, I can't necessarily give you that, because it sounds as if you never intended to give this company a full commitment. If the situation were such that you simply find it isn't a fit (which may well be the case) and something too good to turn down has come along in its place, that's different. But you decided right off the bat to only try it for a year, so it seems your heart was never really in the job. This is unfair to your employer.

As for the second part of your question, "what is a reasonable expectation of a small business owner as to how long an employee should give them before moving to another job?" It's the same for any business owner, big or small: they generally expect (or at least hope for) their employees to be committed to the job long-term. This is largely assumed and unspoken. The prospective employee should say so if that isn't their plan. Unfortunately, losing a worker has a much higher impact on a small business, which is why this is much more difficult.

If you are a good employee and make every effort to lessen the impact of your leaving, the bridge will not be burned. No (reasonable) employer will fault someone who accepts a better opportunity as long as an effort has been made on both parts. They may not like it, but at least they'll understand, and from a business standpoint you're covered.