My manager wants me to kick off a project with a large enterprise customer next week. However, I'm planning on giving my two weeks notice on July 1st and will likely be walked out because I'm going to a competitor. I want to tell my manager and not join the project but I don't want to lose out on the annual bonus in case I'm walked out immediately. If I wait, it could be a poor reflection on Microsoft to the customer and my manager could get pissed and cut my bonus anyways. I really would like to get my bonus but also not burn bridges. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.
It depends on your relationship with your manager. If you have good relationship and wants to maintain that then inform your manager. He will put you on non-critical/important tasks.
We're not on the best of terms but not bad either and I've discussed with him that I'm interested in leaving (switching roles and he mostly assumes it will be an internal switch).
I think your Bonus is tied to your past performance, so should a good Manager. But big corporate can think that they paid you and you left, so wats of $$
What would Jebus do?
dont tell him and start the project. Prepare someone to take the project when u r about to leave
Technically by July 1st it's probably out of your manager's hands. They've already given their recommendation and it's up to the GEM and GM to make the budget work. There is always a chance an unscrupulous GM might take the opportunity to reward somebody else by taking from you, but I think that's probably independent of whether or not you tell your manager you're leaving before June 30th. I wouldn't do it. It will not hurt the company nearly as much as you think, nobody is irreplaceable.
Thanks for your answer! I am leaning towards this. I probably shoudl have asked it in the Microsoft group since most people don't know the significance of the July 1st date
100% this!!! Do not tell your manager before or you’ll lose your bonus that you worked all year for!
Make an excuse for why you can't start the project. Take sick leaves or go on vacation. Try to do right by both you and him/her
Join. Kick start it. Then transition
You do not need to give your two week notice, especially if you are “at will”. Be sure to stay long enough to get your bonus. I’ve know people who thought they were doing the right thing and got screwed out of their bonus. No company ever feels obligated to do the right thing for you.
Does not giving a two weeks notice prevent me from being hired back in the future? This is my first job out of college and I think I might return to Microsoft once I get older and settled down
It might. Every HR department is different but some companies would mark your file.
If you believe you'll be walked out, why do you care about how they'll react to you living off the project and leaving?
Wait till bonus hits your account and then tell your manager you are leaving for personal reasons . Don't update LinkedIn for a year or 2
Why no update LinkedIn for a year or 2 lol?
You don't know, do you? That's how long former manager's soul is entitled to fly around your bed at nights asking "how the heck could you go to the competitor?"