Message #70393

[Katie G]

My first thought was that your old company is panicking and this was a knee-jerk response.  You've given the standard two weeks.  That should be plenty of time to call in a temp, bring him/her up to speed on the current stuff, and not leave them "hanging". 

It's not like you waltzed in and announced that tomorrow was your last day for heaven's sake.  Be polite, but firm.  Give them your word (and stick to it) that you will do what is necessary to tie up as many loose ends as possible, including brining in a temporary or bringing a coworker up to speed. 

If they balk at bringing in someone or drag their feet deciding who will be taking up your slack, I'm afraid that's their problem.  You are their employee for the next two weeks, and you can offer to help out if necessary after that, but ONLY if YOU are okay and comfortable with that.  You are  under no obligation to jeopardize your new position just to make them "feel better."  (And yeah, I still think they're panicking.)