Hello Fairygodboss Team!

Anonymous

May 27,2022 at 3:38PM UTC

Welcome to Fairygodboss!

We’re the largest online career community helping women achieve their career goals. Gain access to articles, jobs, events, and a supportive network of women and allies. Membership is free, always.

Hello Fairygodboss Team!

I have to give my two weeks’s notice for a job I am leaving when my boss is on vacation (truthfully, she’s the reason I’m leaving and taking a $20K lower salary - I know it sounds nuts but I have found the perfect fit of a company - a company I’ve been ‘stalking’ for years now.). Anyway, there is one manager who is our “HR” person. That’s who I plan on resigning to. I will prepare a formal letter. My question is this: is this cowardly? It honestly has to do with the timing of a) closing on a house and b) start time of new position that I’ve accepted.

Why women love us:

Daily articles on career topics
Jobs at companies dedicated to hiring more women
Advice and support from an authentic community
Events that help you level up in your career
Free membership, always

17 comments

Share your insight

Join an authentic community that helps women support each other at work. Share your professional experience or ask for advice — you can even post anonymously.

17 Comments

Join the conversation

AnonymousMay 27,2022 at 3:42PM UTC
It's not, especially if you're leaving because of her. You already have an offer, submit your 2 weeks notice!
AnonymousMay 27,2022 at 3:49PM UTC
Thank you!
Barb HansenMay 27,2022 at 4:21PM UTC
Submit your two-weeks notice.
Who cares if your manager is on vacation or not. Your personal and career needs override whether or not any manager or co-worker is on vacation.
You do you! :)
Anna C AdamsMay 27,2022 at 4:44PM UTC
Not cowardly. It's just weird timing. Can you cc the manager who is out?
AnonymousMay 27,2022 at 4:54PM UTC
This is not cowardly at all! Write the Dear John letter and go flourish in your role!
Sabrina CortesMay 27,2022 at 5:52PM UTC
It's not at all! Take care of yourself because that's who you're responsible for.
Best of luck to you!
AnonymousMay 27,2022 at 6:31PM UTC
Good on you!
It’s not cowardly at all. I echo what a commenter has already mentioned. Cc your boss when you email HR your resignation.
Congratulations on securing a new job role at a company o hope you will be much happier in. It only takes one person on a workplace to make each working day harder than it needs to be. Good on you for your doing what’s right for you.
AnonymousMay 27,2022 at 7:07PM UTC
I once placed a resignation letter under my mgr's door to find in the am.... you are NOT cowardly...I certainly was though lol
AnonymousMay 27,2022 at 7:24PM UTC
Regardless of the timing, it is your timing. It works for you and your family. No one dictates what is best for you.
Your timing is perfect timing. Congratulations on your new job.
Julie Chatman, MBA, CISMMay 27,2022 at 8:42PM UTC
My observation is that when people resign at the best time *for them*, things work well.
Debbie CachatMay 28,2022 at 12:52PM UTC
Move on and up! You got this!
AnonymousMay 28,2022 at 1:02PM UTC
Copy your manager on your resignation notice so they can’t say you didn’t follow protocol and extended your notice period. Good for you to find a time you’re boss is on vacation. Sometimes we’re mistreated so much that that’s the only way to avoid more abuse and pain.
AnonymousMay 28,2022 at 3:43PM UTC
I just changed jobs and spent a lot of time analyzing my moves to make sure that I left strong.
The others' on this board finally convinced me that I did not have to have PERFECT ending and that it was okay to do what was right for me.
While the timing is not ideal, you did not schedule your boss' vacation so that you could 'sneak away'.
Instead, you had a life event happen that just so happened to coincide with a preplanned vacation.
It sounds like the right thing for you to do for your career and your future (congrats on the closing of the house!) is to resign to the HR person.
So do it and have no regrets.
By the way, all the things I was so worried about when I transitioned to a new job I don't think about much -- AT ALL -- anymore.
So, give yourself the freedom to put yourself first and not be perfect.
Also, congrats on the new job! It sounds like a great fit for your career!
Crystal HowellMay 28,2022 at 7:50PM UTC
Not cowardly, timing is everything. Love what you do, the money will come.
Just say an opportunity just came up for me to pursue other business interests. My last day will be......... Don't tell anyone where or why you are going until settled at new gig.
Its your life , not hers. Enjoy your new home!
Monica Lynn SadlerMay 29,2022 at 12:19AM UTC
I don't think it's cowardly. Most people spend the majority of their week at the job. So, I think it is extremely important to a) love what you do, and b) do what is best for you. I cannot stress enough that a healthy work environment is paramount. I pray you everything works out for your good and that you thoroughly enjoy your new job. God bless you.
Heather CutlerMay 29,2022 at 12:30PM UTC
You’re investing a lot of time and thought into your resignation…you will never see this kind of courtesy reciprocated from your employer and especially your boss.
Submit the letter to HR and call it a day. As others have said, you’re simply not responsible for your supervisor’s PTO schedule. You’re not on deck for this!
It sounds like you’re thinking about this resignation timing coming off as cowardly? Who gives a shit what this manager thinks about that. You’re out the door and she’s the reason. Very shortly, her input will no longer matter. Any resignation is uncomfortable, I sense that’s what you fear, possibly being asked why you’re leaving.
Now is the time to give notice, wrap up any remaining projects and leave this role in the best possible place. Try your hardest to close this chapter and hit the reset button so you can shine in your new role. Best wishes to you!
Audrey KirschMay 29,2022 at 3:04PM UTC
Like you say, it’s a timing issue. You didn’t wait for the boss to go on vacation. I had to do the same thing in the past. My boss had chosen me as the one person to bully, demean, and make the work experience horrible every day. He was on vacation when I had to quit because the new company needed me to start right away. The people I had to advise in his absence actually wished me their best. They never could figure out why the boss had singled me out for his abuse and were genuinely happy for me.