My boss wont let me quit. (Updated)

[Frozen Donkey Wheel2]

Ok, this is REALLY simple. First, ask him to prove that you signed this contract. If he can't, you're in the clear, AND he looks like a doucebag. If he CAN, then you put in your two weeks notice, and THEN stop showing up to work. What's he gonna do, fire you?

This question is so simple, I'm not entirely convinced you aren't just trolling.

 

[Ickorus]

I'm not sure what the laws are where you live, but here in Canada: Two weeks notices is a courtesy. You do it when you are leaving amicably, or even when you just want a letter of reference later or something. But it's certainly not the law. I worked fast food for years, and I had people quit right on the floor in the middle of a shift.

Simply put: unless your country or state has some very odd laws on employment, then you are well within your rights to just up and quit.

This man speaks the truth, just be sure that your new employer knows why you left so they know you're not just unreliable.

 

[Flames66]

We're talking a b-list retail store. Can retail stores even have binding contracts? I thought that was for union work only or something like that? Point is, my boss claims that I did sign a form. But none of the other employees believe that. He OWNS the business and is quite the crook with lawsuits. Jeesh, All I wanted to do was sell vidja games!

Put in two weeks notice and take two weeks holiday. Or even better become sick for two weeks due to stress.

 

[Vrach]

I work at a bad game store. Very bad. My boss' attitude has prompted me to quit. So I did (or at least attempted to last night). But I received a voice mail from him stating that I could not quit because I NEEDED to put in a 2 weeks notice and that he'll see me at work in the morning (today).

I'm pretty sure this is slavery? Can anyone help? My boss is a kind of guy who will sue anyone for anything so I'm trying to avoid anything crazy. But advice WILL go a long way.

Sounds like an asshole, but a 2 weeks notice is the decent thing to do in general. I'd have put it in in the first place myself, but that's just me.

That said you could quit. Depends on what job you're going after next though, if you're not going for something that's (no offense to anyone by this) "higher up" than working at a game store, it probably won't be an issue, but if you're gonna be after a job within the same sort of small business, lack of a recommendation and bad word of mouth could hurt your chances in finding a new job. Yes, he's a moron, but when you're employing someone, are you gonna go with someone's side of the story or are you gonna go with the guy who doesn't have a story in the first place?

 

[Virgil]

I work at a bad game store. Very bad. My boss' attitude has prompted me to quit. So I did (or at least attempted to last night). But I received a voice mail from him stating that I could not quit because I NEEDED to put in a 2 weeks notice and that he'll see me at work in the morning (today).

I'm pretty sure this is slavery? Can anyone help? My boss is a kind of guy who will sue anyone for anything so I'm trying to avoid anything crazy. But advice WILL go a long way.

Unless you signed a contract when you started working stating either an employment length, or a minimum employment length, which is very very unlikely, you do not have to give notice. If he claims you signed a contract, then you can request that he provide a copy of it as proof.

Although it is considered polite to give at least two weeks notice, it is not legally required. If you don't need the job, and don't need the reference, then you don't need to show up.

Also, even if you don't show up any more, they are still required to pay you for the time you worked before quitting. If they refuse to, you're also well within your rights to take them to small claims court to get your pay.

 

[benylor]

Ok, this is REALLY simple. First, ask him to prove that you signed this contract. If he can't, you're in the clear, AND he looks like a doucebag. If he CAN, then you put in your two weeks notice, and THEN stop showing up to work. What's he gonna do, fire you?

This question is so simple, I'm not entirely convinced you aren't just trolling.

Amazed it this long for this to come up. Clearly you aren't gonna want to reference this job, and there's little to my knowledge to stop you from saying "Okay, I'm quitting in 2 weeks" and then just calling in sick every day after that.

"Hey boss, can't come to work today because I have an itchy scalp, bye" every day for 2 weeks or until they stop picking up the phone.

 

[MikeOfThunder]

I could not quit because I NEEDED to put in a 2 weeks notice and that he'll see me at work in the morning (today).

I've quit from plenty of jobs in my life. Only ever stuck at a few. I never gave longer then a 'I don't think I'm coming in tomorrow... or ever again'.

Unless you have some specific contract stating that you must give notice (and i doubt you will) then you can leave whenever you want, it's polite to give notice though. My last job i gave them a months notice because i was a fan, but i've worked for Marks N Spencers before and left after a week... I literally walked in at the start of my shift and said "I don't want the job anymore", they had me write a letter saying why then and there and i left within 20 mins...

He can't force you to work.

 

[supermariner]

the two weeks notice thing is pretty standard
it gives the company you're leaving a chance to advertise the vacancy you'll be leaving and try to fill it before you leave so they're not short-staffed
it's not slavery
in Britain it's upholdable by law provided it was specified in the contract when you began work there

 

[SenseOfTumour]

To be honest, for the sake of 2 weeks, I'd just put it down on your CV as 'looking for work' instead of giving this boss the chance to impact on your future career, and if you're sure he's just being an ass, then you don't owe him much, employers need to remember it's a two way street, and they can't just demand the earth and offer nothing back.

Of course, only you know how bad he really is, so I'll leave it up to you to make that decision.

 

[Caligulove]

So put in a two-week notice, otherwise you'll be terminated, essentially- looks bad on work history plus its never a good way to leave a job. If the store has that policy then so be it and simply play the game for a little longer. Endure and you can put it behind you. Though, if you really can't hold out and just want to leave, then I guess you could take further action but it really seems unnecessary.

And please, don't use such hyperbole. You're being paid and they're allowing you to quit, albeit under some parameters. Far from slavery.

 

[Drakmorg]

Just don't do any work.

I'm not saying don't show up, just show up and never do any actual work. See how long you can keep that going until he fires you.

I once worked at a fast-food restaurant, and never actually did any work. Still got paid for three days before they fired me.

 

[Bender Rodriguez]

Pull your pants down, stick your arse up in his nose and let one rip.

Should let you go.
Worked for me.

 

[_Cake_]

Ah slavery, the arduous processes of putting in ones two weeks notice in order to receive severance pay. Just have fun for the next couple weeks.

 

[Canid117]

We're talking a b-list retail store. Can retail stores even have binding contracts? I thought that was for union work only or something like that? Point is, my boss claims that I did sign a form. But none of the other employees believe that. He OWNS the business and is quite the crook with lawsuits. Jeesh, All I wanted to do was sell vidja games!

Ask him to show you the contract. If he actually produces one then ask him to explain where it says you need two weeks notice.

Isn't it default to always make two copies of it - one for the employer, one for the employee?

I believe so and I doubt he has one but if he actually does then you can avoid getting screwed and if he doesn't you can make him look like a shithead in front of other employees.

 

[PxDn Ninja]

Assuming you're in the United States...

If you didn't sign a contract, you cannot be compelled to work. And if you did, it would be the company, not your boss, that can sue you. But it is not even remotely in their interests to do so.

The only reason you would actually give 2 weeks notice is if you want to leave on good terms. But since you've already burned that bridge, there is no reason to go back to work.

This is exactly right.

To expand, if you are on contract, it is possible you have even more permission to just leave. I currently work under a contract, and as part of the terms, either party may exit the contract at any time with no warning or reason. Meaning they can drop me if they find it better financially, but I can also just come in, pack my stuff, and tell them I am done.

Like the guy before me said, you only give a notice as a gesture of respect and to keep good standing when you move on. If that is already past, then just don't go back.

As a side note: IF they fire you (not you quit or you just stop showing up) then in the US they are legally required to have all your backpay available within 24 hours of the time of termination. So when he does terminate you if you take that route, you can follow up with "Then I'll be back tomorrow for my check." If he doesn't pay, you got the law on your side.

 

[captain underpants]

If you did actually sign something, surely you'd have your own copy.

I say do the 2 weeks, and spend it driving as many customers away from the store as possible. Only an idiot would insist on forcing a disgruntled employee to stay on.