Quitting a job after 3 months - tips and suggestions?

Anonymous

December 7,2022 at 11:55PM UTC

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Quitting a job after 3 months - tips and suggestions?

Like many who have posted here, I started a new job that is not a good fit. There are many things wrong with it, but I didn’t want to give up and I wanted to stay for a while anyway. The workload is outrageous, there are early morning meetings and evening conference calls required in addition to 8+ hours a day and it is on a salary basis, some days I work 12 hours (at least once a week). It is remote and I was promised a “work-life” balance, but in 3 months that is not the case. To make matters worse, I have a direct report who is also new and requires a lot of direction. I talked to my supervisor, who also owns the company about the work load and she “suggested” I start working on weekends to catch up. That is not really a good option because I have a family and life outside of work. She told me today that I must work on weekends and then report to her on Mondays to let her know what I accomplished. I am not in any trouble, she is suggesting the weekend work will make me happy to catch up because I am too busy during the week to complete projects. The pay at the company is much lower than I am used to. I have some savings, so I decided “enough is enough” and I will be resigning on Monday. I am worried about stepping away without a new job to go to. Has anyone done something similar that turned out ok in the end? I don’t “live to work” and my life outside of my job is very important to me (that is why I wanted a remote role / work life balance in the first place).

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AnonymousDecember 8,2022 at 1:33AM UTC
Life is too short. Respect yourself and your abilities. However, my recommendation is to Wait then Jump higher to a better place.
I have been in a similar spot, and I waited too long. If you wait, make sure to place immediate focus and extra energy on finding an opportunity where you will be more respected.
Given the current economy, it is worth holding onto your job while looking for the right opportunity. If you decide to wait and search. . . Map out your workload and find ways to prioritize, train, delegate and push back so you won't work on weekends.
Lyn WelchDecember 8,2022 at 10:39AM UTC
No, it will not get better, no matter how long you spin your wheels. Please have another job lined up before you put in your notice (I hope you're doing that - don't just quit - it's unprofessional and will hurt you more in the long run).
Jocelyn LyonsDecember 8,2022 at 6:16PM UTC
Yikes! This sounds awful. I would definitely begin the search to find something new, but in the meantime, I would make it clear that volunteering your personal time is unacceptable and either your workload and/or pay needs to be adjusted accordingly. Good luck!
tiffany birchDecember 9,2022 at 9:10PM UTC
Why are you risking your health and peace of mind?
A new job that values you can't come to you unless you let go.
I agree that volunteering your personal time is unacceptable.
Change your workload or be compensated for overtime, not on weekends.
Be brave.
Vanda LeeDecember 13,2022 at 4:13PM UTC
If you are comfortable with resigning on Monday with your savings safety net, I would consider 1st talking with the manager/owner that suggested you work on weekends and explaining that this is not acceptable for you based on the current salary. I would also remind of them of the promised work-life balance that isn't currently happening - by doing this you throw the ball back into their court to find an acceptable solution. What's the worst they could do? Fire you? Sounds like you're ready to go so you really have nothing to lose and could possibly hang on with a paycheck while looking for something else.
Mary PoolDecember 16,2022 at 1:37PM UTC
It is infinitely easier to get a new job when you are already employed. I would recommend that you step back and start job hunting while completing what you can accomplish within an eight-hour day. There will be pushback, but you will have the work-life balance you desire, plus the freedom to accept a position that is a better fit, not the first thing that comes along. Be empathic but firm when you are asked to accomplish more than you can within the workday. "I will get to it after I finish xyz" usually works for me. This job is in your rearview mirror, so do what you can and don't stress about what you can't. I'm not saying to sluff off; I'm saying to do what was agreed to when you took the job, not the extra that has been heaped on.
AnonymousDecember 29,2022 at 3:25PM UTC
Do it. I walked away from a job a few years ago. Husband supported the decision since like you, I was over worked, stressed and nobody in my house was happy. It was scary not having a job lined up, and it took a while to get a new one, but the BEST decision. You will feel a difference on the day you resign, and then the last time you walk out that door (so to speak). Start looking, be picky and don’t panic. As for the owner telling you to work on the weekend so you feel better?????? Yeah, I’d be hard pressed to even work for 8 hours a day my last two weeks. What is she going to do, fire you? HAHAHAHAHA. In fact, if she does, you can probably collect unemployment …….