Post # 1

Member
333 posts
Helper bee
I posted the other day about giving notice at my job. I got another one i start in 2 weeks. I’ve only been there 5 months and I wanted to leave because I HATE it there, have nothing to do and I don’t like the attitude that coworkers have. I will give notice but I don’t know what to say to my boss! How do I tell her I’m leaving just because I don’t like it here? It’s going to burn a bridge anyway because I haven’t been there long and I’ve been asked by her if I like it here and obviously said yes because if I said no I might have been let go. So now I have to tell her ive been lying and really don’t like it there. And I don’t want to tell them where I’m going because they’ll know it’s not better pay. What do I say?? I know they’ll ask where I’m going and everyone will be mad at me forbailing. The last 2 people in my position quit without warning in a short time also.
Post # 3

Member
5479 posts
Bee Keeper
You don’t technically HAVE to give a reason, but you can do one of two things:
1-be honest. Tell her that it’s difficult to work in an environment with so much negativity.
2-be vague. Tell her you have a great employment opportunity and you feel like it’s just a better fit for your personality & goals. You don’t have to tell them where, you can just say that you’re not comfortable disclosing that information.
I kind of think that since they have been having staffing trouble, it might be beneficial to them in the long run to know about the problem so they can address it with their next employee.
Post # 4

Member
3375 posts
Sugar bee
Ooh I have my dream job leaving scenario all worked out. I would just hand my boss a paper to officially say that I’m leaving in 2 weeks. I plan on explaining that I think our management has too many problems and that this has been a demoralizing place to work.
and then I take TWO WEEKS OF LEAVE! bahaha. But that’s just me and yes it will burn bridges.
I’m pretty sure you don’t have to explain why you’re going or where you’re going.
Post # 5

Member
1815 posts
Buzzing bee
I would just tell her that while you appreciated the opportunity to work there, it wasn’t a good fit for you and you’ve taken a position elsewhere. If she asks where just tell her what the company does (ex. say it’s a lawfirm instead of saying Johnson & Smith Attorneys). You don’t have to tell her anything you don’t want to.
If she asks for examples on why it wasn’t a good fit, have a couple ideas ready to tell her. Or tell her to F*** off. Lol. Congrats on the new job!
Post # 6

Member
13099 posts
Honey Beekeeper
You don’t have to say anything about not liking it. Just say an opportunity came about for you and you felt you needed to take advantage of it.
I’d write up a nice letter (I had the Bees critique mine recently here: http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/help-please-critique-my-letter-of-resignation) and hand deliver it to your boss.
Post # 7

Member
5985 posts
Bee Keeper
hmmmm. I would not say that you are leaving because you dont like it I would say that the “job is not a good fit for you so you are pursuing other opportunities”. I think that is an acceptable reason. If she asks why it is nto a good fit then explain to her why (nicey and politically correct of course). you could give her some constructive feedback on how the place could improve for other employees. Good luck!
Post # 8

Member
2063 posts
Buzzing bee
@DaneLady: I would do the be vague option and also have a letter of resignation in hand if your a manager so you don’t have to deal with the twice-awkward situation of telling and resigning.
Post # 9

Member
350 posts
Helper bee
I’ve just been researching this! You don’t have to give any reason unless you’re some sort of contract worker. Just write a letter saying you are resigning from your position, effective 04/03/12 (or whatever date). If you’re feeling generous, you could write an offer to help during the transitionary time over the next two weeks.
If she asks you why, you can simply say that you found a new position that is a better fit and leave it at that.
Post # 10

Member
532 posts
Busy bee
It’s a small world, so you are smart not to want to burn bridges. You put in 5 months there, at least get a good reference out of it.
I agree with PPs who say to give a vague reason. Just say you have learned a lot here but you were offered another employment opportunity that you cannot pass up and that you are prepared to give two weeks notice and train someone new. Then hand them a resignation letter. They may ask if there is anything that they can do to make you stay, and then just poliltely say that your mind is made up.
Congrats on your new job!
Post # 11

Member
3375 posts
Sugar bee
I’m pretty sure you have to consult with HR before you give final notice to your boss, but that could just be my employers that do that.
Post # 12

Member
333 posts
Helper bee
Well regarding a reference, it’s company policy they don’t give references so I’m not worried about that. We don’t have an HR department so I would be dealing with my manager directly. Thanks for the tips!
Post # 13

Member
3618 posts
Sugar bee
You sound like you have my old position. LOL. I think on the 2nd day at that place I realized that company was NOT for me. I quit 4 months after starting. I lasted through the holidays and we each had a meeting before the holidays. My boss told me I was doing a good job, asked how I liked it there, etc. Of course, like you, I lied and said I loved it there. So when 3 weeks later I handed him my resignation letter he threw a fit. He actually threw a tantrum like a 2 year old. He gave me the cold shoulder and wouldn’t talk to me for the rest of the day and also called my reasson for leaving bull shit. I told them the reason I was leaving was because their benefits were lacking and benefits were important to me. They also did not let me stay my 2 weeks and told me to leave that day. Which was fine with me, because my new employer preferred I started sooner rather than later.
Good luck. There really isn’t an easy way to do it.
Post # 14

Member
926 posts
Busy bee
@AnneTossy:
This!
You don’t have to tell her you don’t like it there. If you want to help her be a better boss to the next person, do it, otherwise, you don’t owe them anything.
Post # 15

Member
11342 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
As someone who has had 25+ years of work experience, much of that as a senior-level manager, I’m going to share some advice with you and others who may be reading this:
1. NEVER, EVER, EVER, EVER burn a bridge. There is no need to do that. The person you cannot stand to work for today could end up taking a high-level job YEARS later in a company in which you are currently working, and that person could end up being the one to make a decision about your job in the future. It is not smart to burn bridges. This is especially important in this day and age of a global marketplace, where any prospective employer can find out so much about you online.
2. Prepare a letter of resignation and hand it to your boss in person. Simply tell him or her that you want to inform him or her that you will be leaving your position effective (whatever the date is) and that you are, of course, offering the required (how ever many are required but at least two weeks) amount of notice and will be happy to do all that you can in the interim to help assure a smooth transition. As prior posters have already recommended, simply explain that you’ve found a position that you believe is a better fit for you at this time. Thank him or her for having given you the opportunity to have been a part of his or her team and that you appreciate what you have learned while working there.
3. Depending on the company for which you work, HR could schedule an exit interview with you, in which someone may ask why you’re leaving and what you thought of your boss and work environment. I encourage you to be honest but highly professional in your response. Do not say blatantly negative things about your job or boss. However, you can explain that the (whatever bothered you) did not seem to be a good fit for you and why. Again, I encourage you to do so in a very professional and positive manner, avoiding personal attacks on co-workers or superiors but instead focusing on processes and environments and how you did not find them to be a good fit for you. “I believe the department’s workload would be better served by hiring two additional workers who could focus on ….,” sounds better than, “I hated having to do everything by myself!” You’re making the company aware of the same bottom line (too much work, too few people) but without making yourself look like a complainer. Similarly, “I think I would develop better as an employee if I had the opportunity to work for a manager who had a stronger coaching style” sounds much nicer than, “Jane is a tyrant and doesn’t let anyone else have input!” See what I mean?
Best wishes on your new job!
Post # 16

Member
2401 posts
Buzzing bee
My 2 weeks notice always looks like this:
Dear Manager,
With regret, I am writing this letter to inform you that I was offered another position, and am now giving my two weeks notice of departual from __________. My last day of attendance at work will be on ________. If you need any further assistance, please let me know.
Thank you for your time and I wish you and the company the best of luck,
Ohmybears48