Adult, shmadult! He should send his boss this postcard:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1257533660.jpg

:D

For me a strong negotiating position would be one where I have a skill or knowledge that they cannot replace near term.

personally, I negotiated a promotion for myself on one occasion early in my career, two years after taking the initial position. I retired from that company 28 years later as VP Sales. I was able to negotiate the new position with my employer because had I left the company, I would have taken business away when I left, more than they could afford to see go down the street.

Wow. What a complex and difficult problem this is.

For cryin' out loud, ASK HIM. Ask him what he meant by "Don't surprise me." Sheesh!

Whoa...you surprise me! :eek:

+1

Mike,

If your boss is a good truthful man, ask for the same , "no surprise". Ask him if he has the power to keep you for an extra month or 2 while you hunt for a job, if a layoff comes. Ask him if he'll give you a good reference if a layoff comes.

If he got to be a boss by kissing up & backstabbing leave when you get the chance.

It always takes 3 weeks to find a problem but only 2 weeks to give your notice....
Sorry, doesn't quite apply here, but had to say it.

So, here's the thing. I've been on all sides of this equation, ie, "owner", "management", "labor", and of course even lower than "labor", "ball-wash".

FIRST!!!!!! DO NOT GIVE NOTICE UNTIL YOU HAVE IN WRITING FROM THE OTHER COMPANY VIA REGISTERED MAIL ON COMPANY LETTERHEAD AND SIGNED FROM HR, YOUR HIRING BOSS AND WHOMEVER THAT YOU HAVE A JOB! BETTER YET YOU ARE HIRED THERE AND ALREADY WORKING YOUR NEW JOB!

Ok, that out of the way, your idea of a "hint" or more than 2 weeks notice is a typical play someone does for more money. I'm not suggesting that is your intention. I am however saying how "management" will view it. Don't play that. Ever. Even if you get more money, in the eyes of the company (and your boss) you are not loyal. Guess where that places you on the food-chain. Gotta bulls-eye print? Great pin it to the back of your shirt. I don't even care if your boss is your father/mother/brother/lover. Business is well business!

Second, the statement was your boss's attempt at trying to get a pulse on you. Like poker and like others suggested, NEVER reveal your hand. Example? You have a facebook page and it is public and you mention that you are thinking about leaving or similar.

Third, boss and worker have two different purposes in a company. Your purpose is to get things done. Your bosses purpose is to (a) build a fiedom up, large enough that when cut back it doesn't cut back to him, and (b) ensure that "labor" is getting their work done. Believing your boss is your buddy or believing a relationship with a boss outside of a job scenario exists while certainly not impossible, is difficult at best, and not common (why is answered below in the fifth point).

Fourth, exactly what are you going to gain by giving more notice? If there is truly something to gain, so be it. Ok. But keep in mind the other company will want you ASAP. You are not the only person the other company is interested in. If you think you are working a fire-drill now, just wait until you give notice. Any extra time you give the old company will be quickly forgotten. Also, no matter how hard you may try, the custom has, is, and always will hold true, last guy to leave gets blamed for everything. Where's the benefit to you?

Fifth, your boss/company has needs and goals. You have needs and goals. Throw out what you were taught in leadership 101 and MBA whatever. There are no friends in business. There are only interests. From what you describe, until recently, the interests of boss/company have aligned with yours. That's great. When they don't YOU NEED TO CONTROL YOUR DESTINY. What give's you any sort of comforting thought or belief that an entity (boss/company) is interested in your needs? Makes no sense.

With all due respect, just going through the exercise to see if you can get it is not only a waste of time but may be possibly risking something more than you are perhaps willing to give up.

The "exercise" you propose is your ego talking, not you. In business, there is no room for ego, those successful take risk, but the key is it is calculated and has a purpose. Unecessary risk brings nothing but problems. Examples of ego run decisions? Look no further than the entire economic calamity we're in right now!

I can also tell you that right now, there is a cleaning of the closet going on in general, at the business level. Businesses are going under. Why? well they simply ain't got what it takes (aka mis-management on may different levels and many different facets). If you change at this point in time please be damn well sure that where you are going to is more secure than where you are at. Once you move, you're the new guy. Guess where you are at in terms of seniority? If where you are considering going is less secure than where you're at, what good is more money? In such a case, either ride this pig out or find some other opportunity which is more secure.

BTW, I presume that your co-workers (or those left) or boss(es) know nothing of the Pelican forum or your Pelican handle?

He knows you are going to quit. He wants a little notice.