Prospective employer contacted current employer

[Dr.Brian]

What a disaster. The GM is a full on dunce.
In my industry people move on, promotions to leadership elsewhere, selling out for the loot, cutting back to a easy paycheck, etc. If word got out you wanted to leave, no big problem.
In my wife’s niche field there is a lot of company flipping in the industry, but there are only a handful of players, and really only 3 in her specific field. They are a nasty bunch and if they knew you wanted to leave for a direct competitor you’d almost certainly be fired. These swap are always on the way down low. Usually the 2-4 weeks notice is met with, “Thanks, but you can leave effective immediately.” That has caused a number of problems over the years, though I’m sure it’s not that uncommon when moving to the competition.
I wouldn’t resign, though not for the unemployment as it pays so little I’m not sure it really matters. Make them fire you if that’s what they want.
If you want to try to mend the relationship, approach things with the current COO as an opportunity for advancement and see if they want to work to keep you. That’s an approach that has worked in my field. Many have used an offer to flex for a better deal at the current gig.
Good luck. If you go to the new job make sure you sleep with that GMs wife at the Christmas party or something to thank him for all your headaches.

PS I wouldn’t share that the current job asked you to resign. I think that weakens your position.

[1st amg]

Wow, what a $hit show. This better get resolved by the new guys real soon. Good luck and keep us posted Nick

[Duey]

Originally Posted by pickettt

I think from the responses and advice given, we can deduce which of us are employers and which of us are employees.

Totally Agree with you here. I'm reading all of these and just saying wow ....

In a lot of industries you sign non-disclosure agreements , non-compete clauses that last years . Loyalty is King.
Not to mention the time and money your current employer has invested in you over the last year.

[JasoninDenver]

Originally Posted by Duey

Totally Agree with you here. I'm reading all of these and just saying wow ....

In a lot of industries you sign non-disclosure agreements , non-compete clauses that last years . Loyalty is King.
Not to mention the time and money your current employer has invested in you over the last year.

Actually, non-compete clauses have been seriously curtailed by courts in the US to limit overreaching time periods and geographic restrictions. Too many companies effectively drafting slavery clauses. NDAs are completely different.

[V25V]

Originally Posted by JasoninDenver

Actually, non-compete clauses have been seriously curtailed by courts in the US to limit overreaching time periods and geographic restrictions. Too many companies effectively drafting slavery clauses. NDAs are completely different.

This is true, only ones that really hold any weight much any longer are non- solicitations. Non-competes are often way too vague to be enforced, we have tried and without much success. And even to "win", you need to show actual damages, which is difficult. Not to mention the cost to actually enforce one, its often just not worth it unless the person is costing you A LOT of money which you can show.

[GB-man]

I would find a different company and avoid both of these ones if at all possible.

[subtona]

Your new job offer should be forthcoming immediately after a stunt like that.

In the interim.
Secure correspondence with new would be employee expressing your concern over their irresponsible practice. And supporting dialogue from current /former employer

One way or the other you should get paid.

[Etschell]

Originally Posted by JasoninDenver

Actually, non-compete clauses have been seriously curtailed by courts in the US to limit overreaching time periods and geographic restrictions. Too many companies effectively drafting slavery clauses. NDAs are completely different.

they just back load compensation awards to keep you locked in. just ask amazon, google or goldman sachs how that works.

[FTX I]

Painful reading. What a mess. I hope you work this out quickly, Nick. Good luck.

[Etschell]

Originally Posted by Duey

Totally Agree with you here. I'm reading all of these and just saying wow ....

In a lot of industries you sign non-disclosure agreements , non-compete clauses that last years . Loyalty is King.
Not to mention the time and money your current employer has invested in you over the last year.

i get the point. it goes both ways though. big companies cut pensions long ago. if they were truly concerned about loyalty perhaps they would reconsider them. i see both sides of the coin a lot and i can tell you that if you can cut the emotion out of it you'll be a better business person. it means being mature enough to understand anyone is replaceable and both will survive after the disassociation. it does not mean having a nonchalant attitude however.

the perspective changes from big companies to small businesses. one thing you should always remember as an employee or a business owner, everyone and everything other than thyself is temporary and replaceable. just ask larry ellison, bill gates or steve wynn. in some instances it takes truly horrible situations to figure that out.

loyalty should be expected and rewarded. but often it doesnt work that way. sometimes isnt given by the employee and often it isnt rewarded by the employer. i've seen many go unrewarded for years yet stick around and vice versa.

i myself am an extremely loyal person and i pride myself on that. but i dont expect the same loyalty out of everyone, contrary i expect the opposite and am sometimes happily surprised.

[artschool]

is it not easier in future to tell your current boss that you are looking to change company? if you had done that then none of this would have happened?

[nick800]

What I have seen at other places I’ve worked at, is people that do this get booted immediately. Big risk.

Originally Posted by artschool

is it not easier in future to tell your current boss that you are looking to change company? if you had done that then none of this would have happened?

[CamSLC]

Originally Posted by artschool

is it not easier in future to tell your current boss that you are looking to change company? if you had done that then none of this would have happened?

This is industry dependant. There are some places that won't even let you clean out your own office when you resign. If you gave them a heads-up you're looking, that would be your last day.

[subtona]

Originally Posted by Etschell

i get the point. it goes both ways though. big companies cut pensions long ago. if they were truly concerned about loyalty perhaps they would reconsider them. i see both sides of the coin a lot and i can tell you that if you can cut the emotion out of it you'll be a better business person. it means being mature enough to understand anyone is replaceable and both will survive after the disassociation. it does not mean having a nonchalant attitude however.

the perspective changes from big companies to small businesses. one thing you should always remember as an employee or a business owner, everyone and everything other than thyself is temporary and replaceable. just ask larry ellison, bill gates or steve wynn. in some instances it takes truly horrible situations to figure that out.

loyalty should be expected and rewarded. but often it doesnt work that way. sometimes isnt given by the employee and often it isnt rewarded by the employer. i've seen many go unrewarded for years yet stick around and vice versa.

i myself am an extremely loyal person and i pride myself on that. but i dont expect the same loyalty out of everyone, contrary i expect the opposite and am sometimes happily surprised.

Great points!

[Wesley Crusher]

Originally Posted by artschool

is it not easier in future to tell your current boss that you are looking to change company? if you had done that then none of this would have happened?

Know we know that you’re just a troll. Lame.

[artschool]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

Know we know that you’re just a troll. Lame.

?

strange thing to say.

what's wrong with being honest? if you don't like where you work and want to change then why not just talk it out?

[mannyv11]

Originally Posted by artschool

?

strange thing to say.

what's wrong with being honest? if you don't like where you work and want to change then why not just talk it out?

Like the OP said if you want to tell them you're looking for another job you will pretty much be canned asap.

there is nothing wrong with exploring a job with another company in this day and age discretion is a must and it was in very poor form of the new company to contact the current employer like that.

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by mannyv11

Like the OP said if you want to tell them you're looking for another job you will pretty much be canned asap.

No worse than the current situation, I would say.

[artschool]

Originally Posted by pickettt

No worse than the current situation, I would say.

and I would agree with you.

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by artschool

is it not easier in future to tell your current boss that you are looking to change company? if you had done that then none of this would have happened?

True, because he would have been fired

[crew]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

True, because he would have been fired

Or, at the very least, his position would have become uncomfortable.
Some things are just better handled discreetly; like job interviews and impending layoffs.

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by crew

Or, at the very least, his position would have become uncomfortable.
Some things are just better handled discreetly; like job interviews and impending layoffs.

It sounds pretty damn uncomfortable right now.

[texasmade]

Originally Posted by artschool

is it not easier in future to tell your current boss that you are looking to change company? if you had done that then none of this would have happened?

No. Most states in the US are “at will” employment so you can be fired at any time and you can quit at any time. Telling the current boss you’re looking is a quick way to be fired for most people.

[Star Ferry]

Originally Posted by pickettt

It sounds pretty damn uncomfortable right now.

hindsight is 20/20. there was a very low chance the place he was interviewing with would spill the beans to his current job. he chose a 1% chance of disaster vs. a 99% chance, I don't understand why people are coming into this thread with a bone to pick with OP. he posted to get some supportive advice about what to do moving forward, not to have his past actions picked apart by strangers

[Etschell]

Originally Posted by texasmade

No. Most states in the US are “at will” employment so you can be fired at any time and you can quit at any time. Telling the current boss you’re looking is a quick way to be fired for most people.

that is true but the reality is litigation can still ensue and when there is risk there is always leverage. you simply cannot operate yourself in a manner that is "the law will save me." the judicial system is not always rewarding....

[texasmade]

Yep, which is why the OP’s boss only asked for resignation and not termination. OP has leverage in the fact that he or she did nothing wrong. Company can still terminate the OP’s employment but that would require a severance package and a promise from the OP of not suing.

[mgsooner]

Originally Posted by Star Ferry

I don't understand why people are coming into this thread with a bone to pick with OP. he posted to get some supportive advice about what to do moving forward, not to have his past actions picked apart by strangers

If there's one thing I've learned about this particular forum in my short time here it's that even the seemingly most mundane posts will turn into exactly what you just described. We have a number of Professional Contrarians that post here. Blowing off steam, I guess.

[Star Ferry]

Originally Posted by mgsooner

If there's one thing I've learned about this particular forum in my short time here it's that even the seemingly most mundane posts will turn into exactly what you just described. We have a number of Professional Contrarians that post here. Blowing off steam, I guess.

I'm sure I've been guilty of the same thing, but in this case OP is dealing with potential loss of his job and I'm sympathetic to that

[Etschell]

Originally Posted by Star Ferry

I'm sure I've been guilty of the same thing, but in this case OP is dealing with potential loss of his job and I'm sympathetic to that

Asking for advice on the internet is subjecting yourself to this. It isnt called for but it happens.

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by Star Ferry

hindsight is 20/20. there was a very low chance the place he was interviewing with would spill the beans to his current job. he chose a 1% chance of disaster vs. a 99% chance, I don't understand why people are coming into this thread with a bone to pick with OP. he posted to get some supportive advice about what to do moving forward, not to have his past actions picked apart by strangers

I have no bone to pick with him. It sucks for everyone involved, and I feel for him and his employer alike.