Resigned and asked to stay an extra week

[eabozeman]

So I was fortunate enough to find a new position in the economic climate and resigned giving my 2 weeks notice(i'm in the US).  Well my bosses have asked me to stay on an extra week. Normally i would not have thought twice to calling my new company and asking if we could push my start date out however I'm not sure if this is a good idea now.  Has anyone been in this type of situation, any advice at all would be helpful.

Thanks
E

[gee4]

You've resigned, given your notice and agreed your start date with your new employer.

Tip - put yourself first and do not rock the boat with your new company.

Personally I would stick with your original decision.

[Atlanta Z3]

Been there.  Not giving the extra week can burn a bridge you might not want to burn.  However the new company wants you to start.  A couple of options, first I would make a call to your new manager and explain the situation (if you are thinking about staying), and feel them out.  If I got any push back on the start date that would be my decision.  Cut ties and move on, because that is where your future is. 
Another option I have offered is after hours or weekend training for the replacement- and not for free, either still on payroll or consulting paid.  I have also left a forwarding email, that if it is critical I will check at lunch and respond as possible.  Here again don't jepordize the new job by hanging on to the old job.
When I had this situation it actually worked to my advantage because the new boss was going to be on vacation that week, but they had me starting early to work with other departments as filler work...
One final note - a three week notice can be painful.  If every one in the office knows you are leaving and they start to give you grief or all the crummy assignments no one else wants - or just the guilt trips.

[Alicia M]

I would definitely start when the new company wants you to.  The old company should understand.  If you can help like Atlanta said, great. 

[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.) 

[Jackie G]

I think in the current climate, you shouldn't jeopardise your new job and should leave as planned.

However, as one should never burn bridges, it may be prudent - and again, as others have said, it's whether you're able / comfortable etc to do that - to offer some ongoing help in whatever form that turns out to be.  And think about how that's paid for if it's more than the odd phone call or email asking about something.  Negotiate that into any discussions you have.

Let us know what you decide, and how you get on!

[peaches2160]

I would cut ties.  Leave yourself open to helping with a phone call or e-mail, but cut ties.  It may be a tough decision, but you have made the decision to better yourself and leave.  I  would tell them you are flattered, but can not stay.  Will negotiate consulting fees if necessary beyond the phone call or e-mail.  Set up a gmail account for that as well, then turn it off after a month.

[eabozeman]

Okay, I did call the new company and i will be starting 3 days later.  My old co has no idea when they might hire a replacement and will not get a temp so i'm sending my work to different employees internal, which is interesting considering i support the President & COO, CFO and General Counsel.  My new company wants me to be there for at least one day prior to my new boss coming in the office.

[peaches2160]

Best of luck for success in your new assignment.  Let us know how it goes.