I'm leaving... 6

[DaveVikingPE]

I've been with the same company for nearly 13 years. I got an offer, with a 20% increase in pay from another company - a good company that I've interviewed with a couple of times in the past (6 years ago) and was turned down. I like my boss. I like *most* of my coworkers. I am having trouble breaking this news to my boss since I have this awful feeling that I'm pushing my dad in front of a moving car. Advice? Thanks!

 

[wes616]

Dave, congrats! A new and exciting phase of life.

It's always hard when you tell people you are leaving. I've had to do it several times (it doesn't get any easier); but it is a valuable lesson. It hurts to leave, but it's best if you do it anyway. Remember, you are not rejecting your current employer, but you are accepting an offer to further yourself and your family.

Would you stay if your curent employer made you a counteroffer of equal value? It's always a possibility.

Good luck

Wes C.
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No trees were killed in the sending of this message, but a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.

 

[MikeHalloran]

For a boss I liked that much, I'd probably tell him over a beer, then submit my (very short) formal resignation the next day.

I'd still be prepared to leave immediately on request, and/or to graciously and professionally accomplish even the most demeaning or onerous of terminal assignments.

I wouldn't be too concerned about affecting his future. He'd certainly push _you_ in front of a bus. That's why he gets the big bucks.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[UcfSE]

People at work aren't your friends. I understand you can get "attached" after so many years of working. Do what's best for you. You can always be nice and polite and anyone should understand. After all, if it came down to your boss or you, who do you think he would choose?

 

[whyun]

True dad will congratulate you with a handshake. Bridges will not be burned and he will not take it personally.

It won't be easy to break the news but you have to face it when the time comes.

Everyone can be replaced, though it may seem difficult at first. I'm sure in due time your boss will find someone to fill your spot. If I were you, I would leave a brief resignation letter, inviting him to sit and talk with you. Keep it short and positive.

Best of luck in your new position.

 

[MadMango]

Beer after work, or breakfast before work, either one should be followed up by a formal resignation letter as Mike suggests. Congratulations.

[green]"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."[/green]
Steven K. Roberts, Technomad
Have you read faq731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

 

[wes616]

Personally I like the breakfast before work, or starbucks or whatever.

Wes C.
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No trees were killed in the sending of this message, but a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.

 

[HVACctrl]

What I hate is when you decide to leave, expect to give at most a 2 week notice (standard), actually hope to be released immediately (some companies and managers prefer this), but they ask you to stay 3 weeks or a month.

Try to figure out what would be best for you while at least giving them the courtesy to clean up any unfinished business. Be prepared for any possibilities. 13 years is a long time in today's world so, they might expect a longer period before leaving.

Congrats! If your boss is any kind of person, the bridge will remain open!

Ed

http://www.engineerboards.com

 

[wes616]

HVAC,

Thats funny that you mention the company asking someone to stay longer than 2 weeks. Every time I've left a job, this has happened to me. Sometimes I could, others I could not, but they always ask. Funny thing is, if THEY ASK ME to leave, I'm never given more than a days (usually a few hours) notice.

Wes C.
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No trees were killed in the sending of this message, but a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.

 

[HVACctrl]

Yeah, its double standards.

Speaking of which, I am serving my 2 weeks as we speak. I'm leaving to a new industry altogether. I have only been in this job for a short while (several months) but finally admitted that I hate this industry.

They STILL want whatever they can get out of me- a month or more if I'll give it. I'd prefer immediate termination or a week at best.

I somewhat commited to 2 weeks, but may shorten it. I've only been here not even 3 months.

Didn't mean to derail the thred if I did so.

Ed

http://www.engineerboards.com

 

[jmw]

When I left my first job they made me work the whole notice period even though I was going to a direct competitor.
On my last day I was kept so busy everyone else was down the pub for my farewell drink and I was still working!
Never mind, you live and learn.

When I left my next job they were advertising for my replacement even before I'd handed my notice in because they knew of the offer and knew I couldn't refuse it. That time i needed to stay long enough to get a new design reviewed while still, as an employee, protected by the 1977 Patents act.

Redundancy..... not a good experience for anyone but when this happened to me it was elective.
I was determined that if I went, rather than simply resign, I would go with some of their cash and had been waiting the opportunity.

Came the day and two of us were told our jobs were being made redundant and there was a one new position we could apply for. I said "thanks, but no thanks." (it would have served them well if we both said it but my colleague had a number wives to support (one current and one ex) and had no choice.

Next thing I know it has been temporarillly suspended so I could go to Russia and supervise a new installation. In their wisdom they had neglected the serious financial exposure a failed system could give them.
I made them pay for that too! (and some day hope to cash in the brownie points earned: probably when hell freezes over, but you never know)



JMW

http://www.ViscoAnalyser.com

 

[zuccus]

I always thought one of the hardest things I had to do was turn my resignation into my Dad. He didn't take it to well. But he was ok with it because my younger brother was stepping into my shoes and handled it well.

When I was telling a friend of mine about it he said that is nothing. Then he told me about the time he had to fire his mom from the company business.
Man was she mad.

Zuccus

 

[Ashereng]

Congrats Dave!

Since you a quitting a job, I would just walk into his office and let him know that you are leaving (give him your resignation letter, or HR, depending on company policy).

Then, I'd invite him to a beer at the local pub/bar/wherever you go for a beer.

Most termination notices vary with position, senority, etc. If you are senior, and in charge of others, 1-2 months is common. If you are not, 2 weeks may be enough. Usually, the minimum is spelled out in your employment contract (the one you signed waaaaaaaaaaaay back when you joined). And this usually goes both ways.

"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

 

[swertel]

Congrats on the new job.

The way I left my last company was obvious. Everyone in the company new I was disgruntled - bored actually - and I was actively searching for a new job on company time. Why? Because the alternative was to read trade journals. I was literally cleaning the bathroom and sweeping the shop floor just to burn the hours in a day.

Time came that I found the company I currently work for. Love it. But I verbally told my direct supervisor, whom I got along with very well. We discussed things. He knew it was no surprise. The next day I dropped off my resignation on my manager's desk, stating the standard 2 weeks. 1) He had no idea I wasn't satisfied with my job. 2) Although I wrote down 2 weeks, I asked to be let go immediately. He said no. I read trade journals for the next two weeks. GRRRRR!

--Scott

http://wertel.eng.pro

 

[VeryPicky]

Congratulations.

It is hardly ever about money. I assume, you part you ways with the company because you are not 100% happy. I had a case like that. When the time came to leave (but I had not commited to the new company yet) I met with my boss and told him about all my reasons, why I was not happy. He expressed willingness to work things out but it was just a lip service. He was not prepared to do anything. So I left. While leaving I offered him two months to hand over my stuff and train someone for my old duties. He turned it down. I was kicked out after two weeks of statutory period. I was not exactly prepared for that, how stupid was that? But my new employer was happy to have me earlier and it worked out. This is business. Do not expect love and tears. Tell you boss straight, do it informally, any way that works for you and him, beer is great, dinner too. Make sure you do it without third party present. And good luck for the future.

Putting Human Factor Back in Engineering

 

[Ron]

Congrats Dave...Ya gotta do what's best for YOU.

As for the resignation letter, don't get sappy...keep it to three lines...

Thank you for the opportunity to work here. I will be leaving on ____ to pursue an opportunity consistent with my career and family goals. I will be pleased to work out a transition of my duties to others.

 

[wes616]

And speaking of ethics; probablly the most famous resignation letter written.

Dear Mr Secretary:

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

Sincerely,

Richard Nixon (signed)

Wes C.
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No trees were killed in the sending of this message, but a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.

 

[jmw]

Anything more would have been pointless.
A model of constraint, no excuses and no soft soap: everyone knew why he was going and it wasn't as if Trickie Dickie could expect that if life didn't quite work out in mufti, that he could get his old job back again.
On the other hand, when leaving a job, a touch of the "Uriah Heap" can be useful and costs nothing.

JMW

http://www.ViscoAnalyser.com

 

[Qshake]

Dave - I've never left a company for more money just more exciting work. I hope your decision takes this into account, or in other words, I hope there is more there than just money. Otherwise you're throwing money in place of good friends and bosses.

Regards,
Qshake

Eng-Tips Forums:Real Solutions for Real Problems Really Quick.

 

[EddyC]

HVACctr,

Could you amplify which industry you hate & which you are going to?

Thanks.