Employers inquiring about when employee is leaving

[melmel48]

Hello, I am asking this question for a friend.

We currently work together. She is in Grad school. She will be leaving at some point to do her clinicals. She was told that our higher ups have been asking around behind her back if she is going to be leaving.

Can they do this? Our policy is to give a two week notice. This is what she is planning on giving when she leaves, as most employees do. I am under the impression that they cannot ask questions like this. Does anyone know?

Thanks

[vanillacourage]

Of course they can ask.

Are you in an at-will employment state?

[aurora]

Of course they can. Why couldn't they? They can even ask her to her face, though that doesn't mean she has to answer.

What they (probably) can't do is say things like "Employee x is a woman, and therefore she is likely to jump ship at the first opportunity, and therefore we want to replace her with a reliable man." - or insert other protected class instead of woman.

[melmel48]

Goes to show how much I know! Thank you!

[melmel48]

Oct 17, 2012 16:41:08 GMT -5 aurora said:

Of course they can. Why couldn't they? They can even ask her to her face, though that doesn't mean she has to answer.

What they (probably) can't do is say things like "Employee x is a woman, and therefore she is likely to jump ship at the first opportunity, and therefore we want to replace her with a reliable man." - or insert other protected class instead of woman.

This is what I was thinking. I should have explained it better. Thanks!

[MixedBerryJam]

Actually, if I were your friend, and I was leaving a good job with bosses I thought highly of who also thought highly of me, I'd probably give them greater notice than the two weeks. If I know I'm leaving, and you know I'm leaving, and I know you know I'm leaving, why be secretive?

This does not apply if I think the bosses will try to kick me out the door, though.

[explorer2001]

My last student job before I entered my profession knew months in advance that I was leaving at the end of the semester to start in my field. I'm still friends with that former boss.

My job immediately prior to this one got two weeks and not a second more.

It all depends on the situation.