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Should you tell your employer that you're looking for a new job?

Robey

Working in HR for many years has left me with a conviction that I can only help a person if I know what they really want.  Lying or being economical with the truth is the surest pathway to poor decisions.

So when I discuss my career needs and decisions with a Line Manager, if I'm unhappy I'm inclined to be honest about it.  But if I know that my current employer can't meet my needs and, as as result, I'm looking for work elsewhere, should I tell them that?

I've always had very open conversations about this sort of thing with my line managers and subordinates, but others I know - outside HR but in a wide range of industries and roles - consider this to be an absolute no-no and are horrified by the ease with which I talk about career aspirations within my circle.  When I've pressed them to explain why they consider it to be such a red-line issue, they're struggled to articulate anything concrete but there seems to be a wide belief that telling your employer that you're looking elsewhere is career suicide, that you'll be the first to be made redundant and that you'll be sidelined from anything important.  Of course, I can imagine that an employer would want to exclude a potential leaver from commercially sensitive work, but isn't it more professional to say "I'm probably leaving, so don't put me on that thing because I won't finish it" than to lie about it then leave your employer in the lurch?

I can't decide if I'm hopelessly naive and trusting about this or if my friends are unnecessarily cynical.

Any thoughts?  What sort of risk might you expose yourself to by being honest about your career plans with your boss?

Parents
  • I am the HR Advisor in a school, and in education it is absolutely frowned upon if teachers do not tell the Head they are looking elsewhere, and career development is positively encouraged, even if it means a good member of staff moving on . Teachers are expected to discuss career aspirations and also to notify the Head if they have applied for positions elsewhere. This seems a very healthy, open state of affairs to me, and means that it is recognised that good teachers should not be obstructed in their careers. Heads will usually give positive advice and support to any teacher who asks for it with regard to interviews, career path etc etc. I guess not taking it personally if someone wants to move ahead with their career is the key.
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  • I am the HR Advisor in a school, and in education it is absolutely frowned upon if teachers do not tell the Head they are looking elsewhere, and career development is positively encouraged, even if it means a good member of staff moving on . Teachers are expected to discuss career aspirations and also to notify the Head if they have applied for positions elsewhere. This seems a very healthy, open state of affairs to me, and means that it is recognised that good teachers should not be obstructed in their careers. Heads will usually give positive advice and support to any teacher who asks for it with regard to interviews, career path etc etc. I guess not taking it personally if someone wants to move ahead with their career is the key.
Children