Hi Moms,
I've never quit a job before - I've relocated and given notice, moved on to something better with no hard feelings. But I've never had to quit a job because it just wasn't working out. That time has come. In the next week or so, I hope to have either part-time or full time work set up where I can cut my 2nd part time job loose. I do plan on giving at least 1-2 weeks notice - unless the person says good riddance, don't let the door hit you on the way out.
Has anyone ever done this, and is it just as simple as saying "I know this isn't the best match, and I'm giving my 2 week notice."?
EDIT - it's a one man show - no one else to work with or for.
Thanks for your input.
Keep the input coming, ladies. It helps me get my head on straight for this.
No benefits, as it's a part time job. There's no way I'd get a reference from this one, as my boss is not happy with my performance. It's hard to explain, but it's impossible to communicate with him, and because I don't think like he does, he is very condescending. I either ask too many questions, the wrong questions, or not enough questions. I give too much detail, not enough detail, or the wrong information. If I tell him something that seems important, he tells me I'm bothering him with information. If I DON'T give him a minor piece of information, I'm screwing up by assuming he knows things. I literally cannot win. EVERY day, except 2 days out of 3 months, it's been like this. He messed up on follow-up on a job because he ignored the information I gave him and put it to the side repeatedly. Only when one of the men at a company that was dealing with us on the job told him EXACTLY the same thing did he take action - he threw me under the bus to this guy (which was annoying, but I accepted it), but then tried to lay the mistake at my feet and not take responsibility for it. It was the last straw.
I work for another person who is completely happy with my work, and if it weren't for the fact that he told me that the person I'm leaving is asking for the impossible, I may have gone off the deep end. I have a meeting with this boss tomorrow, and he will hopefully have enough hours to cover daycare and provide some income. I've interviewed for a full time job, and have another interview for full time and part time work this week.
I would not say anything negative at all, just say that you are leaving. You have a good reason, it is a part time job and you don't need it anymore.
My advice is to leave with a good grace. Do not burn any bridges. It can be tempting to tell boss where to shove their job, but it doesn't achieve anything and may backfire. Just put your notice in citing the need to move on for your family (or something else), and don't mention, even in a subtle way, how crappy it was there. Bad bosses incur high turnover costs and low worker productivity (why do anything extra for a place that doesn't value you right?) and this is how they pay for their bad management. You don't need to get revenge - it will happen naturally.
Make it short and sweet, and don't give any more information than necessary.
You are under no obligation to tell him what you'll be doing next or even why you are leaving.
Ask for a letter of recommendation. (If he writes one, you don't always have to use it and it makes him think you are still looking for other work even if you already have a new job already lined up).
Do not offer to do anything beyond your resignation date.
If he begs you and you have the time - you are now a contractor and you work at quadruple your old rate for a very short pre specified time.
When you send the letter to your boss, cc it to HR - don't give him the chance to bury it or deny knowledge of it.
http://jobsearchtech.about.com/od/resumesandletters/a/Res...
Just say that you found another opportunity that you couldn't pass up and leave it at that. No need to alienate anyone. You never know when you might need a reference or contact.
If you are getting benefits from this job, make sure you have your resignation date as soon after the first of the month as you can make it. That way you don't have to pay for an extra month of health insurance.
You don't need to give a reason. Simply give your two week notice.
However, if you can find a truthful, yet maybe secondary reason, such as distance, family conflicts, etc., those are always nice to fall back on. For example, I left an office job to return to teaching. The real reason was that I couldn't stand my executives anymore (I was their assistant). Their hypocrisy was more than I could handle. The "public" reason I gave was that I wished to return to the classroom. This was true; I just neglected to mention WHY I wished to return to the classroom.
Trying to leave on a positive note, if possible, is always best...even if you have to stretch the truth a bit to get there.
Good luck.
Hi P.! Sorry to hear about the situation you are facing. I have been in that situation before and I own a staffing firm. Before you quit think about what you are going to say. Whatever you do say keep it professional and to the point. You should ask for a reference letter. Even if the employer is mad or upset that you are leaving they can still write you a letter of reference. At minimum they can write the dates of employment, job title, and your job duties. You can say that you are putting in your two week notice, but if they let you go then it might be best. I quit my last job before I started my business because my employer was truly horrible. There are other jobs out there, goodluck!
I'm actually a Recruiter/Personnel Consultant, so I give this advice all day long!
Write a simple resignation letter, hand it in to your manager, and tell them that you appreciate the opportunity that was given to you. You can google "Resignation Letters" and get some great ideas. It sounds like the role you're leaving was a "job" and not a "career," but you still want to handle it the right way. You never know what might happen in the future. You can even word the letter in such a way that you're offering the two weeks' notice, but that you're requesting to be released effective immediately. Most managers will go ahead and let you go (depending upon benefits, payroll situations, etc.).
You're not the only person that's had to do this, so just handle it professionally and with a smile, and then move on.
Good luck!
P.,
Since it won't do any good to have a normal conversation with this person, keep it simple, in writing and too the point. Hand him the letter and say---I am giving 2 weeks notice effective today. Please read my resignation letter as it has all the details you need to know. Thank you. Then in the letter, put that you thank them for the opportunity but its not working for you and you wish them the best. Good luck and don't say anything negative--keep it simple and too the point. You are giving your two weeks and you don't have to state a reason. Best wishes!
M
I agree with all these mommas, I would put it all in writing too. When you give it verbally there's a higher chance the boss gets mad and puts it down as you getting fired. They may not do it so much anymore because of unemployment, but I have had a boss do that b/c I was quitting.
Yeah I'd put it in writing. When you are part time there's no unemployment so your boss could very well "claim" you were fired, then you'll have to explain it and then you sound like a mean employee. It stinks.
I wouldn't say anything about "it's not working out...best of luck to the co. etc." or "you found another opportunity".
Just say that you "no longer need to work a 2nd job" (this is if the boss knows that you do have another part-time job). That's it. PERIOD. That way, you're not bruising any egos. And just move on. Leave the baggage behind. If he doesn't know that this is your 2nd job - 1 of 2, then just say something like, "for family reasons, I need to resign etc." Kinda true? hehe.. this job must not be making you a happy mommy at home. :)
If he tries to meddle and ask, "what are your plans ahead?' Just say, "For now, just taking care of my kids". Not exactly lying but also not implying you're working anywhere. Then try to get out of there as quickly as possible. Avoid answering any questions in detail.
I agree with all the other mommas our there; don't burn your bridges and keep it professional. Put it in writing and simply say you are moving on to another opportunity and leave it at that. It is obvious he isn't going to change and you just never know how or where you may cross paths again. Good luck in your new endeavor!
The professional way, regardless of if it's a one man show, is to write a resignation letter. My guess is there are probably samples online. Simply put in writing that you are giving your 2 week notice effective immediately. No need to go into details of why, you can say "I'm ready to pursue other career opportunities" and leave it at that. MOST employers will say thanks and ask you to leave by the end of the day, but I've had non problematic employers let me stay on for the 2 weeks.
It sounds so much like you are working for a clone of a past boss....
I was in your exact same position last year, I had the resignation letter written and on my computer (not printed). Before I had a chance to resign, my boss pulled me aside and told me she didn't think it was working out. I offered two weeks or cut our losses, she gave me the option and I was out the door (very happily!). Since I was only there for a short time and it obviously would not have been a good recommendation in the future, I don't use that business name as a reference. If asked specifically, I state just that...I was only there for 3 months and feel the employer didn't have a chance to fully judge my capabilities as a trained employee. I've had no problem.
Frankly, I have a feeling he treats everyone this way and will act like he doesn't want you to go. Maybe he'll be indifferent if he goes through a lot of people. But if it were me, I would take this opportunity to tell this person that he doesn't communicate or listen properly and that it's impossible to continue working for someone that makes your job way too hard because he expects you to be a mind reader. I'd write it all out. Verbally, I would just say I'm moving onto another job. Put the other in writing. Maybe, just maybe, you'll make the next persons job easier if he's tired of losing people.
It's also possible he'll try and get you to stay. That's a great time for more money and laying you YOUR ground rules...like, could you report only to the other person you like? Maybe the other person has more experience dealing with the difficult boss.
Just type up something very simple. Thats what I've done in the past. Dear So and SO, After much thought, I am giving you my 2 weeks notice. My last day will be 12/12/12. Then sign your name.
There is no need to go into detail about anything. SInce your not going to depend on a refrence.
