Anonymous writes:
I really need some advice… I tried to give 2 weeks notice at work today, and the boss got angry and then came to me with a list of all the things that he was going to do to make my job easier… Was I talking to a wall??
I’m 51 years old, my husband has MS and can’t work. I qualified for college waivers and loans and I now have a chance to finally pull us out of the very LOW income bracket. I will make more money going to school 4 hours a day, five days a week, and will be training for a rewarding career that will not involve being on my feet constantly, nine hours a day.
My employers are of a different nationality. I feel like I’m being duped. I don’t want to leave with hard feelings. What is your take on this situation? It seems like I was actually talking to a wall…
ANY advice would be appreciated!
The Career Doctor responds:
First, congratulations on envisioning a better future and moving ahead with that vision. I wish you the very best of luck on pulling yourself out of the low-wage basement. Education — whether college, training, certification — is the best path for moving away from low-wage jobs.
I also commend you for wanting to end this current job on a positive note, and I encourage you to keep trying. But whatever you do, do not let your employer’s tactics stop you from following your dream.
I suggest you put your notice in writing… even if now it is only a week’s notice. (By the way, two weeks notice is just an average; in some professions, it best to give more, and in others it best to give as little notice as possible.)
Bottom line… walk out the door when you had planned, regardless of whether your employer is happy about it or not. In the worst case, you are moving to a new field and you will not have to have a reference from this employer.
For more advice about resigning, read my article on Quintessential Careers: Resigning with Class: How to Diplomatically Resign From Your Job.
