Ask HN: Boss/Founder keeping my departure a secret. What to do?
I work for a small startup based in Cambridge, MA. A little over two weeks ago, I have my notice that I had found a new job and was leaving the company. The founder asked that I not tell the team yet because he wanted to decide how to break it to them - he was worried about how it'd impact morale and wanted to make sure it was handled well. I thought that this meant he'd share it with the team the following week.
Today is my last day, and he still hasn't told the team. Last last night, he pinged me in a DM on Slack and asked me not to tell anyone today. He wants to wait until next week, and he will tell the team himself. He also asked me to remove a line from my status report saying that I had left one particular project "wrapped up and ready to integrate with the main product."
Right now I'm worried. I wonder if he plans on telling the team that I was let go, rather than me giving notice and leaving amicably for a new opportunity. The fact that he wants me to update the status report feels like he wants no trace of the fact that I knew I was leaving.
I really want to leave on good terms. The founder is a good contact to have and I don't want to burn any bridges. Up until now we've had a great working relationship and he's frequently praised me and my work. I'm not sure at this point what I should do. Any suggestions?
Today is my last day, and he still hasn't told the team. Last last night, he pinged me in a DM on Slack and asked me not to tell anyone today. He wants to wait until next week, and he will tell the team himself. He also asked me to remove a line from my status report saying that I had left one particular project "wrapped up and ready to integrate with the main product."
Right now I'm worried. I wonder if he plans on telling the team that I was let go, rather than me giving notice and leaving amicably for a new opportunity. The fact that he wants me to update the status report feels like he wants no trace of the fact that I knew I was leaving.
I really want to leave on good terms. The founder is a good contact to have and I don't want to burn any bridges. Up until now we've had a great working relationship and he's frequently praised me and my work. I'm not sure at this point what I should do. Any suggestions?