Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with resignation

would i be eligible for unemployment?

austere — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 06:38:49 -0800

i gave my two weeks notice at my job in january, and the 30th should have been my last day. still here a month later. question about my inevitable departure and unemployment benefits; more inside. so in a whirlwind bout of bad judgement in january, i thought i had found a much better opportunity than the one i have now. i provided my two weeks notice in writing on january 16th, and technically the 30th should have been my last day. however, when i met with my boss (who i essentially get along fairly well with), i expressed that if this would leave them in a bad spot, i would be happy to stay onboard in a part time capacity or as needed indefinitely, until they find and train a replacement. my resignation itself (the letter, that is) simply indicated that my resignation would be effective as of the 30th.

my boss talked to HR and got approval for me to continue working part time. about a week and a half later, with the other opportunity having fallen through, i attempted to rescind my resignation, a request they denied.

there has been no further discussion as to when i should expect to not be needed, and i am still working approximately 35 hours a week. some things have gone awry with my work in the last week (not my fault, but i worry that others may not understand that), and while it's possible that i'm being overly paranoid, i worry that i may be let go in the near future. were this to happen, i have no idea how they might spin my dismissal. we have a volunteer working with us right now who i have trained quite a bit and who is currently job hunting (she had applied here and would have been hired, but the position she'd applied for was then relocated to an out-of-state office which she wasn't able to do), and i overhead my boss last week or maybe the week before that on the phone and gathered that they may be gearing up to offer this volunteer my job. i don't believe that offer has been made yet however. other than that, i have no idea how their search for my replacement is going at current.

what i'm wondering is whether i may be able to get unemployment when i'm let go, as technically it will not be voluntary. i understand that i was the one who resigned, and that they had every right to deny my request for a rescission of that resignation. i imagine that when they let me go, even if they were firing me for what they perceive to be incompetence, they might spin it to me as simply having found a replacement and no longer needing my services. no matter how that may inevitably go, if i apply for unemployment, how do you suppose it might pan out? my first thought is that they would immediately point to my letter of resignation, but as they have kept me on board for another month (and counting), how would that pan out between HR and the unemployment people?

thanks mefi!

Kindly take this job and shove it, and no hard feelings, ok?

Slarty Bartfast — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 11:54:10 -0800

How can I tactfully tell my employer and coworkers that I'm leaving the organization? My timing sucks and leaves everyone I work with in a bit of a bind... Sorry about the long boring story:

Ok, so I've been unsatisfied with my current position for a while and have been thinking about leaving for over a year. Personal factors have aligned themselves such that shifting jobs would work great for me sometime in the next 6 months (baby due in April). I put my feelers out and suddenly the *perfect* job appeared. I would be doing work that is much more personally satisfying, pays more, has fewer hours, more vacation, and is located 7 blocks from my house. I can have the job if I want it and if I pass it up, it is very unlikely I will find something that meets my needs this well (I have looked around to compare).

I have been at my current job for seven years. During that time, I have taken on a leadership role and have championed several major projects, including one major one that rolls out in three weeks (we're implementing an electronic health record) that is generating a ton of anxiety and will change everyone's day to day work. I feel strongly that it is the right thing to do for the organization and I do have everyone's buy-in on it, but in a lot of ways it's my baby. Announcing my departure now will generate a lot of "WTF?" from my colleagues.

I can give them 2 months' notice which is standard in my field so I can tie things up to some extent, but I need to tell them I'm leaving soon. I think it's not likely they'll replace me in that time and it is theoretically possible someone will be laid off.

Aside from having an awesome job waiting for me, I have a lot of good reasons to leave: our reimbursement model isn't working and my pay is going down every year while the number of hours I'm working is going up. The commute is becoming intolerable. I'm tired of being a leader in an organization that resists change. I'm bored and frustrated.

But I like the people I work with. Some of them I love. We work long hours very closely and we know each other well. I hate the idea of screwing them over and them cursing my name after I'm gone. I would like to do this as gracefully as possible but maybe I just need to accept that this is business and I deserve to act in my own best interest this one time and not worry about what everyone else thinks.

Surely some of you must have gone through something similar to this. How did it go? What did you do right and what would you do differently? And how did you cope with the fall out?

How much should I tell when resigning?

alpha_betty — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 15:55:06 -0800

How much should I tell the boss upon resignation from a very messy situation? For two years, I have worked in a very small office consisting of 4 people until recently, and now it's down to two: the boss and me. The entire time I've been there, our office has held a contract from an outside agency to provide a specific service. This contract provided jobs for 2 people until it expired at the end of last month. When it expired, it gave my office and anyone else in the community the opportunity to bid on the contract.

We did not win it, but one of the contracted employees in this office won it for herself and is now in business on her own under the contract. This has impacted the money flow to my office significantly, and I would be surprised if my position stayed intact with full-time hours. I have many issues with my boss and the way he runs the office; now with just the two of us here I have more unpleasant face-time with him.

Here's where it gets interesting: The ex-coworker now in business for herself has offered me a position with her new business (which is under contract, remember, and offers a specific number of hours per week for two years). I would be working about 20% fewer hours per week and getting paid comparably to what I am currently. It offers the same benefits.

I am getting ready to hand in my resignation to the boss, but I know that when I do, he'll ask me where I'm headed. How much should I divulge? Should I be flighty in order to make things easier on myself before I'm done (boss and the board at my current job are understandably bitter toward this ex-employee), or should I buck up and tell the whole truth?

[Just for the sake of clarification, I am not asking IF I should quit - if I wasn't going with this opportunity, I'd be looking for another one. There are plenty of reasons to get out of my current job even without the new offer.]

Proper to resign with NO notice?

DetonatedManiac — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 10:01:47 -0800

I just landed a new job, but they want me to start ASAP! Can I give a resignation letter to my old boss effective immediately or does good manners dictate that I MUST provide two week notice? I am/was a part-time employee at a law office, basically one step above an intern. More Info: I never signed any real contract/agreement of employment for the job I am leaving, it was really the Lawyer who runs the office giving me the job, almost as a favor, so that I could have a chance to see what law was all about before going to law school (obviously I am not going to law school now). I have no critical skills or responsibilities; the normal secretarial/paralegal staff could get along fine without me.

I don't want to burn any bridges, but at the same time, I feel that if I wait the full two weeks there is a small but real chance I will lose the new job.

What should I say during my departure interview?

icollectpurses — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 08:55:01 -0800

What should I say is the reason for my resignation? I am leaving because of my supervisor. On my resignation letter, I am keeping it very simple but I am expecting questions on why I am leaving, especially from my supervisor's boss who has no idea what's going on in our division and the issues that my supervisor has caused.

I want to leave on a good term, not burn any bridges, and with class. It may not happen but I do expect many probing questions on why I decided to leave. I don't think I can get away with 'it's time for me to move on' or anything generic. Especially during my departure interview.

Any suggestions on what I should say will be appreciated, thanks.

Exactly how screwed am I?

Anonymous — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 09:03:58 -0800

How big of a deal is it to be looking for a job without a job? Background: I resigned recently and will still be on the payroll for about 6 more weeks. I resigned somewhat under duress, but was not actually asked to resign if that makes sense (it's a loooong story). In other words, it wasn't a "we're going to fire you but will allow you to save face and resign" situation but could have possibly progressed to that in the future. We both did some really stupid things and, while I can't speak for them, I know I learned some valuable lessons I'll take with me to the next job(s). It was sort agreed upon by all parties that it would be best for me to leave but I obviously would have preferred to job hunt on my own time schedule while still coming to work every day. However, they threw some money at me to leave on the spot (literally) with a glowing letter of reference and anything negative removed from my personnel file. I agreed somewhat reluctantly but only for salary continuance so I could still list myself as presently employed on applications.

Fast forward to today: The job hunt is not going well. I had a good job so I guess I knew I wasn't going to be able to replace it overnight but it's been almost 3 months now. I sort of figured on getting something word-of-mouth through one of my contacts but nothing worked out so far. There are many potential reasons why I haven't found anything yet but that would be too broad of a topic for a MeFi question. Let's assume for the sake of this question I'm doing everything right and just having bad luck. My main concern is whether I should lower my standards or stick it out and risk being officially unemployed on paper.

How concerned should I be that I find a job while still technically employed? I know it's a red flag for someone to voluntarily leave a good job without having something else lined up, but how big of a red flag is it? I know millions of people have successfully recovered from my situation but I'm starting to get nervous. Since I'm already having no luck I don't want another mark against when I'm being compared to other candidates. My "current" employer said they will give me an honest reference (he was not fired, he has excellent reviews, etc.), but I wouldn't want to count on that to land a job. I have several solid references so I would never use my employer anyway, but they would most likely be contacted if I apply for something locally in the same industry (I'm looking locally and in 2 other areas where I'm willing to relocate).

Do I have to disclose that I received a warning at a former place of employment?

onepapertiger — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 07:09:04 -0800

I'm very close to getting hired by the firm I want. They just want me to fill out their employment application now. It says, "Did you receive any formal discipline (warnings, suspensions, resignation at request of employer, discharge) at your former or current place of employment? Do I have to answer "Yes"? My former employer issued a warning against me, out of spite, which I appealed and issued a formal complaint against my manager and HR. They ended up terminating my contract and buying me out with a generous severance in return for my resignation. In all the reference agencies I hired to see what they would say about me, they usually just confirm the dates I was hired and nothing more.

Is it likely that they would disclose that I received a warning? I'm pretty sure that it would be a dealbreaker for the job.

How do I go full time on my start-up?

Anonymous — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 20:30:42 -0800

In the evenings and weekends, I've been working on a web start-up company with a colleague. I think our idea is great and can make money and we're both pretty smart. I want to go full time. What is the best way to do this? My day job pays well and I quite enjoy it, but it's stressful and sometimes involves long hours. This means that I'm working myself really hard both during the day and in the evenings.

Other data: I have a good degree from a good University and about five years' worth of job experience. The only outlay for the start-up would be hosting costs. I live in a capital city in the first world. I could quit my job and live for about three months on money I've saved up. I think if the start-up failed I would have pretty good job prospects afterwards. (Am I wrong on this one?)

Should I stay or should I go?

mamaquita — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 05:36:24 -0800

CareerFilter: Should I stay or should I go? A few weeks ago my boss and I had a major blowout that ended in him shouting that he owned me (in so many words). He has a very long history of blowing up at people in the company, people of all levels. Everyone knows this and avoids him like the plague. I was determined to resign then, however, his boss asked me to stay for the sake of the company. I am one of the key management team members in my department. I committed to staying through the end of the year.

However, the situation has been unbearable for me because I’ve basically lost all personal and professional respect for my boss. We have not had a conversation since the incident three weeks ago. He gave me a vague apology for the way he communicated with me. He’s also been piling the work on my plate without consideration for any other work I have going on and has been micromanaging me. The situation was intolerable for me so I resigned on Monday with no other employment lined up.

Yesterday he came in my office and asked me to stay. I was very frank about why I was leaving (the loss of respect for him) and didn’t think there was anything he could do to get that back. He began telling me that he finally realized that he couldn’t continue to treat people this way and was committed to changing. He said he feels I would be a good gauge as to whether he was making progress. I told him I’d think about it and we’d talk today.

So, now what do I do? I am not convinced that he is capable of changing. I’m convinced he has narcissistic personality disorder. I love my job though and the people I work with and would be willing to stay for those reasons alone. I think I need to be strategic about this and set clearly defined boundaries of what I will and will not tolerate. How do I do that without appearing to be making a power play? I really just want to work there and do my job.

How do you quit your job when your boss is out of town?

Anonymous — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 05:39:04 -0800

I desperately want to quit my job. Right now. Unfortunately, this is complicated by the fact that my boss is going to be out of the country for more than a month... I've been pretty much miserable at my job for the last few months, ever since I was demoted (without warning, and with a considerable reduction in my pay) a few months ago. I've stuck around because much of the work itself suits me and I need the money. Also, I've been planning on leaving the area at the end of the year, and better the devil I know, since it's only a matter of months.

However, recently my company has adopted a business practice that I consider deeply unethical (although perhaps not illegal). This practice would require me to engage in unethical behavior every day; I can't avoid it if I stay at this job without defying direct orders from my boss. I have voiced my objections to no avail. I want to quit NOW, but...

It's a very small company. I only have one boss. And this boss is going to be out of the country (with limited communication) for the next several weeks.

I'm not sure I can handle even the standard two weeks, much less however many more my boss ends up staying out of the country. My departure would be inconvenient but by no means fatal for the company. The questions is: is it unforgivably unprofessional to quit while the boss is out of the country?

Also, since I know I'm likely to lose any chance at a recommendation from my current boss whatever I do, how can I explain the lack of a recommendation to a future prospective employer without bad-mouthing my current one?

In summary-- how can I minimize the destructiveness of this situation while preserving my future prospects?

[throwaway email: whytrytodoright@gmail.com]

Quitting on vacation

octavia — Wed, 23 May 2007 17:14:38 -0800

I have a good job that's a little boring but a good opportunity. I recently scheduled all of my 2-week vacation at once to go to Europe, and I'll be leaving next week. An opportunity has come up to work over there for the next few months and it's really tempting. I had no idea this would came up when I scheduled my vacation, and when my boss jokingly asked me, 'you're coming back, right?', i said 'of course!.' So anyway, i guess my question is how to handle it if i do decide to leave. I won't be able to confirm this new opportunity for sure until the day before i leave. i get good reviews at my job and would probably get good references from them currently. But I'm afraid not coming back from vacation would look pretty flaky and immature. How big of a deal do you think this would be? and what would be the best way to break it to them...as quickly as possible? letter or phone call? email would probably be bad. should i try to convince them it wasn't premeditated? should i make something up?

before this happened, i'd planned on quitting in a few months, towards fall. maybe i'm overthinking this, leaving jobs has always been difficult for me under normal circumstances too. but this would kind of leave them in the lurch, a lot of things would be left up in the air, & i wouldn't want to do anything that would seriously jeopardize future job prospects etc.

How do I quit my job in such a way that I still collect upcoming bonus?

Anonymous — Thu, 10 May 2007 20:52:57 -0800

I am on the verge of leaving my job at a large game company (the largest) in order to start work elsewhere. Our annual bonus (based on company performance over the last year, expected to be quite good this year) isn't issued till June 1st. I am wondering-- if I give notice and leave before June 1st, am I still entitled to this bonus? How can I find out without potentially spilling the beans that I'm leaving? (I haven't told my manager yet.) Also, if I give 2 weeks notice in such a way that my last day is after June 1st, can the company terminate me in less than 2 weeks so that I don't get my bonus? (In other words if I want to be absolutely sure of collecting my bonus, would it be safest to not give notice at all until June 1st? Assuming I can delay my start date at the new place that long...) The bonus is related to our work over the last 4 quarters, so in a sense I've 'earned' it. But I don't know if that matters.

Quitting my job after 5 months. How do I explain to prospective employers why?

onepapertiger — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 08:36:48 -0800

Quitting my job after 5 months. How do I (or rather, "Do I") explain to prospective employers that I'm leaving because of a verbally abusive manager? I'm applying to new jobs and am resigning from the one I currently have this week. The trouble is, I don't know how to explain why I was with my current company for only five months. I'm only leaving because my manager is verbally abusive and I can't take it anymore. Otherwise, I've been outperforming and have been rewarded for it.

THE WHY
I've tried my best to keep my manager happy, but I feel emotionally unsafe in the workplace now. He belittles the work I've done (despite the fact that I've been recognized as outperforming) and he expects me to cover his ass when he's late to work, leaving early and when he doesn't show up for client conference calls. He speaks badly of upper-level management and colleagues at his middle level, and tries to manipulate me into believing that I can't trust anybody in our global company but him.

He also sees my high level of productivity as a threat.

I'm afraid. He is moody. I wouldn't put it past him to make up lies about me. I'm really scared. I have to cut my losses. HR, located in another city, asked me to adapt, but he's just so unpredicatable.

None of my old managers ever acted like this. I think this guy has problems but I just don't think I can do anything to make him feel like being a better manager.

THE HOW:
But how do I explain my decision to leave to prospective employers and not be seen as a problem applicant?

nixon's last mistake?

krautland — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 00:40:56 -0800

nixon's last mistake? hivemind,

nixon's resignation letter is being flashed all over tv again these days, for obvious reasons, and it reminded me of something that has bugged me for quite some time.

Dear Mr. Secretary:

I hereby resign the Office of President of the United States.

shouldn't it be I hereby resign from the Office? said office did after all still exist sans nixon.

work related abuse

cvoixjames — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 12:31:27 -0800

work related question. A co-worker I work with very closely threatened my verbally and physically, claiming I was doing a poor job. I reported to my supervisor, and said co-worker denies it. What should I do (other than quitting, but I like the job) I have been there 3 years and this came out of the blue. I feel now I have to resign. Suggestions?

How do I tell people I quit my job and don't have another lined up?

Anonymous — Thu, 08 Dec 2005 11:12:34 -0800

So. I quit my job. What do I tell people? I have a job that has put me in a fairly high profile in my industry. I've made a lot of contacts and a lot of friends. And I quit my job because the company is run very poorly -- paychecks are late, health insurance not paid. All sorts of stuff.

So I gave my notice and now I'm out. I'm now telling people that I am leaving, and they are asking "where are you going?"

I don't want to say "Nowhere. I don't have any job lined up. I quit because my boss is an idiot and I'm tired of covering his ass" because, you know, burning bridges is a bad thing, and also because the people I am telling are still going to be working with the company I am leaving.

I have been given permission to let people know I am leaving (I am letting people know who my replacement is). And I have been telling people "I am pursuing other opportunities." But there are A LOT of the people that I am telling this to who I would actually like to work for.

So, I guess my question is this: How do I tell people that I am leaving, and I don't have another job lined up, and I'd love to work with them if they have something available, in a way that doesn't right out say "I quit this job because they're batshitinsane here" because I don't want it to seem like I am slamming this company on my way out the door?

Once I'm officially out the door here I'll be able to follow up in comments with my regular user name, but I'll get a sock puppet if you guys need more info.