What Would You Do? - Reston,VA

Do whatever it takes not to have a lapse in coverage or any condition you or a family member on that policy has can now be considered "pre-existing" and uncovered by the new policy.

In regards to the new info you added - they didn't give you "proper" notice so it is what it is - tell them you are sorry but you are desperate and hope they can understand that, in the economy and under these circumstances, you have to take what you can get when you can get it! Take the job and move on!

2 weeks notice is designed to give the bosses the bare minimum in time to replace you. THAT'S why it's the "ethical" thing to do (and why people often give months of advance notice).

You've been furloughed. You are under no obligation to give notice. In fact, I wouldn't UNTIL I made sure that the new job panned out (aka a few weeks into it, insurance up and running without a hitch, etc.).

I don't believe you owe them a notice at all. The new company often makes you be with them 30 days before insurance starts. This is just part of being unemployed.

I've worked as an HR Manager. A two week notice is a professional courtesy, not a law. There is no law that requires a person to give any notice of leaving a job.

I would give notice on September 1st. As long as you give notice to the company you've been furloughed from before you actually start working for the new company, you are not violating any ethics. To be doubly employed could be a conflict of interest, if both are full-time salaried positions, but even that is dependent on several factors.

This may be a longshot, but if you had good relations with the company that was involved with the contract that was lost, you might go to the company that won the contract. They may be hiring.

I would look upon the insurance as your severance pay, as meager as it is. I would keep the insurance until your insurance at the new job kicks in, then I would tell then they could cancel their insurance.

I would also send a sincere note of thanks for 10 years of opportunity for employment. I know you may not feel sincere, but now is not the time to burn bridges and you never know. A thank you note may do you some good in the future.

Good luck to you and yours.

I would give a two week notice after I already had insurance with the other company. You aren't working. It's no big deal when you give notice.

I think 2 weeks notice is appropriate. Does that answer the question? I'm not sure I understand.

If neither company has a policy/contract with you that says you cannot work for another company, then I guess I would let it overlap if it meant no lapse in coverage.

Since the new benefits may take a while to kick in, I'd stay on the old company's insurance as long as possible, then give notice once you know the new stuff will be taking effect. There's a reason they offered the insurance even though he wasn't getting paid ;)

I would take the new job and keep the insurance with the old employers until the insurance with the new job kicked in.

I would do this with no feelings of guilt or remorse.

Consider that many people work other jobs while they are on furlough from their primary employer - fireman and librarians in my city for example, all have to take furlough days - they all receive insurance through their city jobs, but work 2nd jobs to make ends meet.

You situation is no different right now.

Keep the insurance.

I don't think 2 weeks notice would be required. They can't exactly demand loyalty after the lack of professional courtesy they've shown you. I would not burn a bridge, as things turn on a dime. But just give a heads up call to let them know youtook another opportunity once you are secure in your new job and have your insurance.

If your current company is somewhat unstable and unable to pay you a salary and furloughed you; and another job comes along with comparable salary and benefits, take the new job. This current job, which you are currently not being paid sounds too unstable.

Do you qualify for unemployment? What are you going to do if the company closes?

I would go for the new job.

I would not feel the need to give a 2 weeks notice since the company didn't offer any compensation for an immediate leave of employment.

The insurance issue tho would definitely be the clincher... no, I'd not bother being proper.

Yes you have to give notice.
You have paid insurance from them, and you are furloughed by them, and you are still employed by them.
So YES, of course you give notice, to them.
It is called, being professional and proper about it.

I would give notice as soon as my new job was secured. I wouldn't take insurance from my old company if I was employed by a new one. I'm not certain but that might be fraudulent depending on how the HR people see it.