SERVE NOTICE
exactly what it will be,” says Budhoo. Quitting led Noluthando to realising her dream to venture into an industry that she is passionate about. “I didn’t look for a job after quitting. I used my provident package to redirect my life. I went back to school to study a Bsc in economics and agriculture. I am very content and happy now,” she beams.
Schultz explains that people who quit are still worth hiring. “Yes, people quit or leave their work for many reasons, and quitting doesn’t make them less employable. You’re still worth hiring because you already have experience in the job market, and a new company may not have to teach you everything from scratch, which is a bonus. It benefits the new company to hire people with experience. And also, you probably left your previous job because you were not happy. A new job could provide you with
She adds that there are many people who quit without thinking about the consequences of just walking out of a job. If you are at that point of leaving immediately, there are a few factors to consider, such as your reference and reputation. Before you hand in that resignation, remember that if you quit and don’t serve notice, it can make life difficult because of the reference letter, and it could also affect your pension payout.
According to employment regulations, if you work for a company for six months or less, your notice period is a week; more than six months but less than a year, a notice of two weeks; and if you’ve been part of a company for more than a year, you should serve a month’s notice. Some companies require a calendar month’s notice instead of just a month. Schultz suggests you always work your resignation notice. “If you decide to quit, ensure it is on positive terms. If you’ve found another job and the other company needs you to start immediately, rather discuss this with your manager and ask, respectfully, to be released from serving notice. This applies also if you feel you will crack if you stay for longer. Don’t ever just walk out. No matter how challenging the working conditions, always ensure you leave on the best of terms,” she says.
Another factor to consider is to not have high expectations, and to prepare yourself from starting at the bottom. You must be prepared to spend time looking for a new job, or even accepting a pay cut, which is something Stacy had to learn. “I had to start from the bottom at a new company and be on six months’ probation, which also meant a slight drop in my salary,” she says.
Suyan Budhoo, a career coach, echoes