I can't believe I'm doing this: Quitting my current job

[Taverner]

Yes, I went through 6 months of unemployment. I tried to find work every day, and could never land a job. Then I got my current gig: in tech support. I was taking a huge pay cut, but it was a job.

Fast forward to today: the "C-Level" folks are trying to run me out on a rail, despite me being the only support guy left who knows the product. The customers never had a problem with me, my co-workers never had a problem with me. I did my work, but my boss - he hated me. No idea why - I guess being an asshole can only go so far :) Seriously though, he hated me. Right before he left (he quit last week) he wrote up this screed on why I was a horrible employee, didn't know shit, etc. Hands it to the C-Level folks above him, and now they are trying to run me out on a rail. My new boss doesn't want me to go. My co-workers don't want to see me go. But the C-Level folks? Well a manager said it, they believe it and that settles it.

So tomorrow I am quitting my job of 6 months. I really can't do any other action: if I stay I fight an uphill battle every day. If I leave I get a package for 30 days. Chances are no matter how hard I would work, no matter what I did, after the 30 days from last week - they would have shitcanned me anyway.

Let's hope I find a better job. Let's hope I find A job. I have kids. I have a mortgage.

I suppose I should be more angry, but I'm just tired. Tired and defeated. Ready to roll the credits on this whole thing...

[Chan790]

1. I think that's the incorrect course of action...

especially if the new manager wants you to stay. The solution is much simpler...tell the new guy that if he wants to keep you, he's going to have to go to bat for you and state in official channels that he disagrees with the previous manager's assessment.

Better still for you if he points out that they're taking the judgement of a guy who just quit on them without notice over a current employee with a clean HR file.

[siligut]

2. Can't get any satisfaction sticking it in their faces?

I hate the passive aggressive crap you get from "superiors", stay and make them miserable. Plus, times are hard.

[Taverner]

3. I wish I could - its a choice of either 30 days of work or 30 days of no work

Doesn't matter

[pscot]

4. Take the money and go

Try not to let it cloud your mind. It may turn out to be an opportunity in disquise.

[Taverner]

8. If I get this job I'm interviewing - it could be a restock of our emergency savings

I depleted it in my last bout with unemployment

We're whackin' Cable!

[pscot]

20. We're wacking the cable too

I'm putting rabbit ears on my big screen for local channels and a Roku for netflix.

[siligut]

5. I get it, I think

30 days to do what you need to, to get a better job or 30 days of crap. Good luck to you.

[kwassa]

6. I don't think you should go, either.

Why are the C-level people relying on the word on a man who quit their company?

If your new boss is willing to go to bat, stick around, at least temporarily.

FWIW, I walked from a job with a boss who was a sociopath, only he was there forever and not leaving and unmovable.

It was a good decision.

[Taverner]

9. 30 days of work and then getting fired or 30 day package

I am getting interviews now = but I fully expect that to shrivel up after I am 'unemployed'

[RebelOne]

11. Why leave? Let them fire you.

At least, you would be able to collect unemployment. That is better than just settling for a 30-day package.

[GoCubsGo]

27. Yep.

I'm the kind who would stay just to spite them--and ride it out until something else came along. Or, collect UE. It would have to be REALLY bad for me to quit beforehand.

[trackfan]

7. I knew they wanted me out at my last job, but I hunkered down, did my job,

and just kept lobbing the ball back into their court. I'd be damned if I was gonna let them get rid of me without being able to collect unemployment. Finally, it came to the point where if they kept me another month I would have been vested in stock, so they discharged me, and I am able to collect unemployment. I was let go just in time to be a 99er.

[Taverner]

10. Captialism sure rewards hard work, doesn't it?

Man, with a system like THAT who needs anything else...:sarcasm:

[Brickbat]

12. I know exactly how you feel -- I did that a few years ago.

It was my dream job, a job I uprooted my family to take. It was good for awhile but when I moved up, my new managers hated the way I worked. It was bizarre. I walked away from it in 2008 and have been freelancing since.

Good for you for getting yourself out of there on your own terms, and I wish you luck in the coming months! Take a week and be good to yourself.

[Yavin4]

13. DO NOT QUIT

Make them fire you so that you can collect UE. At least on UE, you have some money coming in, and "some money" is better than no money coming in.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

17. yes, I agree...sorry I did not see your post. I posted the same advice below

He needs to do the math.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

14. would unemployment bennies add up to more than the 30 day pkg?

if so, stay until they terminate you, if not, take the money and run.

[RebelOne]

19. Unemployment would definitely add up to more

than a 30-day package. I have been collecting since October and it certainly adds up. I guess it all depends on what state you are in and how much unemployment it pays.

[Bake]

15. Bummer, Tav. I totally understand.

And it sucks large.

Bake

[Deep13]

16. Sorry to hear it.

Calculating the amount of lost productivity due to asshole management personalities would make a good dissertation for some economics student.

[snooper2]

18. I have kids, a mortgage, but will quit my job

Without having another one lined up...

Good plan :eyes:

[ohiosmith]

21. Don't quit. Request a meeting with the Cs to discuss their concerns. Be prepared to provide them

with a list of you accomplishments and improvements made during your tenure. Be specific and quantify your results. Ask how you can better meet their and the organization's needs. You may be surprised by the outcome. You always have the option of quitting in the future.

It is easier to get a job when you have a job.

Never stop looking for your next job. You should constantly position yourself for a better opportunity with either your current employer or another.

Good luck.

[cbdo2007]

22. It will be easier to find a new job if you currently still have a job.

I know you're dead set on making the wrong decision for your family and your mortgage in this scenario, but we're just letting you know there are multiple options out there.

[Taverner]

23. Nice. I am flat out lying to prospective employers

Yes, they can call and check, but that usually doesn't happen until the final stages, if at all

[bif]

24. Personally, I'd stick it out and make them fire you.

I've been "underemployed" for over five years now. I'm an advertising copywriter. I've been doing a lot of contract work lately and would take a full-time gig in a heartbeat. But I've found it's way easier to find a job if you're working. There's this huge stigma if you unemployed. But ultimately, the decision lies with you. Best of luck!

[PassingFair]

25. My husband is an art director, same story.

I remember my cousin being "made redundant" every
year or so when he lived in England...always scurrying
around looking for the next "project" to latch onto.

He immigrated to Australia about 5 years ago and has
felt MUCH more relaxed and secure about his job.

[bif]

26. Do you guys live in the Detroit area?

Just curious.

[PassingFair]

29. Yep, SCS....nt

[bif]

30. It seems to be picking up in the area

I've been hearing about advertising jobs opening up. Don't know if he's currently looking, but have him check indeed.com if hasn't already. There seem to be more art director and graphic designer jobs that writing jobs these days. Best of luck.

[PassingFair]

31. He's had a temp thing for about 2 months that will...

supposedly last until the end of May...(and beyond, but I'm NOT banking on it, literally...)

It's the longest continuous job he's had in 7 years. SEVEN YEARS...

I can't tell you how happy I am to have him making
the house payments again! And how much better he
feels drawing down some decent money!

Thanks for the info!

[bif]

33. I've been fortunate

To have a temp job at an agency fairly steadily since October. Before that it was pretty scary. Unfortunately, this agency uses a lot of contract workers and rarely hires anyone full time. And they're one of the biggest in the Detroit area!

[Patiod]

28. Stay! Make them fire you!

Unemployment is so much better than a 30-day package.

Get up each day an hour or two early and look for work - always SO much easier to find a job when you have a job!!!!

[applegrove]

32. vibes to you taverner.

[Ellipsis]

34. Dude! Don't quit. Swallow your ego. You have kids. Let them fire you.

Just look for another job.

Take a paycheck.

As a very famous director once said on an opening night of a broadway show. "Fuck art make money."

Point being...

Don't let emotions get in the way of reality.

It's Easter weekend. Have beer and a smoke. Go down to the ocean watch the sun set.

Things have a way of working out, if you let them.