Is it normal to get full development work after KT during notice period with 20 days left?

Posted by Prasanna10-@reddit | ExperiencedDevs | View on Reddit | 22 comments

I’m currently in my 90-day notice period, with about 20 days left before my last working day.

I’ve already completed full knowledge transfer (KT) to my replacement. They’ve joined, I’ve walked them through the system, explained the logic, flows, and even helped them get started with the codebase.

But here’s the issue — I’m still being assigned new development tasks, and not small ones. When I try to explain that these tasks will take time, management still expects them to be completed in just a few days.

At this point, I’m confused about expectations. If KT is done and a replacement is available, shouldn’t the new resource be taking ownership while I support and guide?

Instead, I’m still being treated as the primary developer with tight deadlines, even though I’ll be leaving soon.

Also, during this time, I’m getting more calls from recruiters for new opportunities — which is expected during a notice period — but I’m not even able to attend those calls because of the workload.

One more concern I have:
If I push back or try to set boundaries on this, can it backfire?
Can they extend my notice period or put any kind of negative mark on my career?

I’m not trying to avoid work — I just want to handle this professionally without risking my exit or future opportunities.

Has anyone else experienced this during their notice period? How did you handle it without burning bridges?

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casualPlayerThink@reddit

You can pretty much just do nothing. They already fired you. What can they do? Hire you to fire you? (insert Spiderman meme here)

> ...I’ve already completed full knowledge transfer (KT)

Even tho' professionally, and generally speaking, you did well, but in reality, it is not worth transferring. Worth giving the minimum and semi-useful things (like a Swagger-generated documentation... it is almost useful). You should let them cook in their own water. Never transfer full knowledge, except if you leave on very good terms and they were very good/positive with you. Otherwise, just don't.

> ...Also, during this time, I’m getting more calls from recruiters for new opportunities — which is expected during a notice period — but I’m not even able to attend those calls because of the workload...

Take the calls. Drop the work. You have to learn to say "no". (Check your contract, what are your obligations?) Your future is more important. Also, take care of yourself, not the company.

> ...Can they extend my notice period or put any kind of negative mark on my career?

Sounds like you aren't on a good term. Since they won't be a reference person for you anyway, and nobody will really make a call for a former workplace to ask after you. So nope.

> ...I’m not trying to avoid work

You should. Also, consider simply asking them to pay you for the remaining time or just go for "vacation" for the rest of the time (sorry, in the EU it works quite differently than in the States)

> Has anyone else experienced this during their notice period? How did you handle it without burning bridges?

I rarely wanna go back to a company that I left, the "burning bridges" should be only for a few colleagues who will be part of your network. The rest does not matter. The company won't exist most likely after a few years. Most of the management will be replaced within a few years. The typical carousel. Do you plan to go back to work there? If not, then time to learn to stand up for yourself and say "No".

> How did you handle it without burning bridges?

You can't really. Leaving a company will leave some remaining tension in some people, as well, since they did not try to stop you while they could. I simply walked and did not take any work and said "No" to anything. Used the time to network instead.

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Prasanna10-@reddit (OP)

Thanks for the detailed reply, I appreciate the honesty. Gave me a different perspective to think about.

GiorgioG@reddit

Take your time, who cares if you don’t finish.

Leading_Yoghurt_5323@reddit

don’t refuse work, but be clear on timelines…

Canadianingermany@reddit

Of you're being paid, they expect you to work.

NewFuturist@reddit

How is that not effectively what you are doing?

I think it is pretty clear from their post that these tasks exceed the time they have remaining at the org.

Where exactly do you get that?

Instead, I’m still being treated as the primary developer with tight deadlines

Tight does not mean exceeding the time they haveeft.

"But here’s the issue — I’m still being assigned new development tasks, and not small ones. When I try to explain that these tasks will take time, management still expects them to be completed in just a few days."

Please read the post before you're too critical.

I did.

It's totally normal to get development tasks in your last 20 days.

When I try to explain that these tasks will take time, management still expects them to be completed in just a few days

I mean reliable estimates are a classic challenge in software development.

Are you saying there is no chance you can finish a task in 20 days?

I mean if you can't finish something you can't.

But you should not be slacking and you should not expect to spend the last 20 days ONLY mentoring the new guy

khoikkhoikkhoik@reddit

I would half ass the fuck out of the work assigned to me if I get work assigned on the iteration I am leaving

rahul91105@reddit

Unless you’re worried that you might lose your next job/opportunity, don’t worry about it.

You need to subtly show them that you’re not going to working there after a few weeks. For this I suggest coming in late/leaving early (both preferred at the same time). Take long lunch breaks, walks after lunch. Dress more freely, sometimes similar to vacation mode (don’t break dressing code though). Plan team/friend lunch.

bonnydoe@reddit

Why are you trying to overstress yourself? Just do the job. If the tasks can't be finished in that time: too bad, you did what you could. Recruiters can call you in your break or after working hours?

BackAware4834@reddit

yeah this is pretty standard. they're not gonna let you coast for 90 days lol the move is just to work at a normal pace and not stress about finishing everything. if stuff doesn't get done in 20 days that's a them problem not a you problem. document what you can, push your branches, and walk out clean

frankster@reddit

are you expecting to do no work for 20 days but still get paid? I don't get it

Not expecting to do no work — I’m still contributing. Before my notice period, I was regularly working weekends and after hours without extra pay. Now that I’m in my final days and KT is done, I’m just trying to keep things reasonable and focused on transition.

rcls0053@reddit

Don't stress it. If you can complete them, great. If you can't, then let it be. Just tell someone what branch you had the work in and that's that. You will just leave everything after 20 days.

Sheldor5@reddit

you are still fully employed until your very last day so yes this is normal

roto190@reddit

You're trying to accommodate the company while they aren't willing to do the same for you. They're just trying to wring you dry while they still can. As much as you want to leave a good impression on the people still there, for the company and the C-Suited it won't make any difference except how much more money they save having your replacement instead of you. Take whatever sick days you have and focus on your own life.

projexion_reflexion@reddit

Not sure. You seem to be in a civilized country with talk of a 90-day notice period. This would not even be a question if you were in the US.

I'm from India

tvcgrid@reddit

Which country? I haven’t had to ever deal with a notice period in US anecdotally. Curious how those work. Sounds horrible honestly. I just gave a 2 week heads up, had lots of meetings and not more work load anymore for myself.

India😔