Nervous about leaving a bad job

December 14, 2014 6:30 AM

I have a job that went from great to not-so-great over the last several months. I think I might be leaving soon and am feeling a little stressed about my departure.

I am the same person that wrote this a couple of months ago. I'm in therapy and working through some of the personal issues I have (comparing myself to others, lack of self-confidence). However, the other day, my boss issued me a performance warning, and it hit me that my time with this company is very likely coming to an end.

After taking a day or two to feel bad for myself and feeling embarrassed about the way my boss is treating me on this plan (like assigning me really elementary school level material to read), I've started to feel at peace with the fact that my tenure at Bad Job could be over soon. I am sick of being burned out, turning into a miserable person that I can't stand (I'm not even sure I'd be friends with myself honestly) and just craving something new. I work a second job and have already talked to them (let's call this company Good Job) about joining full-time. Good Job is a smaller company, and while I am not about to believe it will be perfect and rainbows all the time, my supervisor is giving me freedom to basically tell her what kind of work I want to do and saying there is a possibility for a senior-level role.

However, even with all this, I'm feeling a little freaked out about leaving Bad Job, even with a warning looming over my head. I've been working here for several years already and have good relationships with coworkers and the person who was my boss before I got promoted into the role I never clicked with. I'm afraid that because of my performance issues, Bad Boss won't let me say goodbye to people personally and will just fire me the second I give two weeks notice. I'm also worried about taking a pay cut and having to handle my own taxes because Good Job gives 1099s. I'm currently a W-2 employee. Even though Good Job would help me with a field transition and likes me enough to even think of me to give me good responsibility, I'm still a little worried about the changes. It's like a burden has been lifted from Bad Job, but I'm facing some uncertainty. After all, if Good Job for some reason won't take me full-time, I'm stuck at Bad Job being treated like a child and having performance meetings every two weeks. As it is, I would have them every month even if I were in good standing.

I felt so joyous yesterday after talking with Good Boss, so how can I hope for the best and wrap things up at Bad Job on a good note?

posted by intheigloo to Work & Money (2 answers total)

Once you've secured your new job, write a short letter of resignation. They're going to fire you. There's no question about it. You don't really have a choice in this matter, so get out while you can.

Your resignation Letter:

Dear Manager,

Please accept this letter of resignation, my last day will be two weeks hence. Thank you for the opportunity.

Regards

intheigloo

In the mean time, start taking home your personal stuff, so you don't have security give you a box, and be prepared for them to walk you out the second you give notice.

If you're on a written warning, that's the end of the line. You're all just going through the motions at this point, and they may let you go before the holiday, or they might be waiting until after, but it's usually 30 days from that point.

There's no good note here. Linkin with the co-workers you like, but don't be surprised if your relationships don't survive your job change. Very few do.

Good luck!
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 6:35 AM on December 14, 2014 [3 favorites]

Grit your teeth, bite your tongue, and hold your head high. You want to leave Bad Job with your reputation in tact. So you got a bad review. It happens. Lots of people get them, lots of people struggle at work, that doesn't mean your boss is necessarily a jerk or you are necessarily incompetent. It's just "not a good fit" for you. Memorize that bullshit phrase. "Not a good fit." You're going to need that when your boss asks you why you're leaving. When the time comes, you write a little note like Ruthless Bunny outlined above, print it, sign it, and politely request a meeting with your boss. Then you explain, in the most vague language possible, that the position was "not a good fit" and it's time for you to move on. Then you hand your boss the paper and go back to your desk and try to do your best to not jump for joy for the next two weeks.
posted by deathpanels at 6:58 AM on December 14, 2014 [3 favorites]