Workplace Culture

» alloverthere - Other than the standard two weeks notice you give your boss when

In response to Other than the standard two weeks notice you give your boss when posted by MelissaDylan:

Hello,

I'm in a slightly complicated position and need some advice about how to leave without causing too much fuss and bad feelings.

I work in an intl development organisation in South East Asia. It's one of the best organisations in its field and has good projects all over the world, which is what attracted me to them in the first place. I hadn't worked in development previously (rather, business) but found my feet when living in Africa on volunteer projects there and subsequently succeeded in attaining this job based on previous work experience and the volunteer work I did.

I was sent to my post 9 months ago after having worked in Africa for a year before.

Unfortunately, the experience has been miserable from the beginning. I gave it 6 months to December to improve but it hasn't.

I have been offered the opportunity of returning to my volunteer project in Africa but now as a paid Director - manager - rather than a volunteer, and the chance to grow it. My heart is there and I want to leave where I am now and return to where I was before. I wouldn't have left there in the first place if I ahdn't run out of money and had to find a real job and I was lucky that this opportunity came up with this great organisation.

I really like my organisation at the head office level - the people there I met in a week training last year and the work they do around the world. There are many opportunities to freelance for them in future and I want to have that chance. However, it's my boss here on the ground who is causing the issues and the reason I can't stand my job. She used to work in our head office but was sent here 3 years ago and so is familiar with the people there and vica versa.

The problem has been in her attitude towards the people and projects we work on. If I listed all the problems it would run to pages, but the main issues are that she contradicts herself and her own instructions virtually every other day. She tells me one thing one day, then acts as if she never said such a thing the next day, and then goes back to the original thing sometime later. I dismissed it at first but it's become worse. I suggested changes that could help support our project that I'm managing which is in another country and in which the partners there are doing NOTHING and I'm responsible for it and she agreed with me while I was there, but as soon as I returned she dismissed the idea saying it was their managers who were responsible, meanwhile I have no support to move the projects forward. We have partners there doing nothing, yet they could support our efforts with the other partner. She told me not to contact them to push things as ít's not their job. She also said the two staff there are 'higher up than those tasks',...' Well what the hell are they partners for? Then now things still haven't moved despite my repeated visits and requests she asks me why I don't forward things to these same partners who are above that? Then a month ago a partner there suggested the idea I had months ago and she said, óh what a great idea...I nearly hit the roof. She is working on many of her own projects on the side, some of which compete with our official projects, and some of our participants express concerns and she doesn't realise it's her conflict of interest and is blaming others. I had to select participants for the first part of another project here and she knows them well and took responsibility for it - ordered it - saying our selection wasn't right. Then when we got to working with them she told us the selection was wrong (when she'd done it...) meanwhile we'd employed people to begin working on it...this kind of thing happens every day. Other associates are also expressing their frustrations.

I'm not supposed to go to those I know from head office, but as they give us inputs for training and so on, in the politest way possible I've tried to express that I'm having trouble because others keep changing decisions and neither of my project managers in the field are effective. The one here in the country I live is useless, commonly acknowledged by everyone, and my boss hired him! I came into both projects 6 months after they were late - behind schedule - and am expected to work with incompetent people and in projects that have been badly (in my opinion) designed, and then have the rules changed constantly.

Anyway, I can't work like this. Not being able to make decisions and have to wait for others to act who don't do anything. My hands being tied, yet trying to manage projects in different countries, constantly traveling, and arranging masses of inputs from consultants around the world, all the logistics...and having the ground rules changed every other day is impossible. I've tried to let it go, to just get on with things my best way, but it comes back to not being able to act. And then her excuse is always, 'we're working in developing countries, they're developing...' I lost my temper this morning and said, they might be developing, but I'm the only one doing ANYTHING.

I am resigning. I can't stand it here. I'm very disappointed that it hasn't worked out but, by the same token, extremely happuy and excited to return to the place and work that I loved.

How do I do this nicely? Is there any nice way of expressing the issues without ruflling feathers?

Everyone in head office will be disappointed and want answers. What do I say? My boss now, by the way, is also leaving in June. I felt guilty about also leaving, thus leaving no one in the office with knowledge, but that guilt is now gone as I am doing what's right for me. However, they'll want an explanation. I'm loathe to put my real thoughts down though. What's worse, three of them are visiting next month when we conduct training workshops to the other country where the issues are and will want to discuss it then, I'm sure. However I just found out my boss is also now coming on that trip...

What to do?

Your insight is much appreciated.

Also, I'm giving 10 weeks notice. That's no issue. It's just what to say...thanks!

-- posted by alloverthere

» Melissa Dylan - Other than the standard two weeks notice you give your boss when

In response to Other than the standard two weeks notice you give your boss when posted by alloverthere:

Hi allover,

Your boss sounds like a real peach. Considering the fact that she's also leaving the company, naming her as your real reason for leaving isn't necessary. If she were to continue in that position I'd suggest a nicely-worded memo to higher-ups detailing the difficulties you've had with her, because your replacement might be faced with the same things. But since she is leaving that won't be an issue and bringing the difficulties you've had with her to their attention isn't needed.

Tell them how excited you are about this new job/opportunity. That should be as much explanation as they need. Reiterate how grateful you've been for the opportunity they've given you, but that the job opening in Africa was too perfect to pass up.

It really sounds like this director job in Africa is where you belong! Congratulations, I hope you enjoy it as much as you did while you were a volunteer.

Good luck!

» alloverthere - Other than the standard two weeks notice you give your boss when

In response to Other than the standard two weeks notice you give your boss when posted by MelissaDylan:

Hello Melissa,

Thanks so much for your advice. I also feel that the best way forward is to remain positive now; I want to work for them in future and I don't want to have issues with my boss as a person in future.

At least my excitement is genuine and I am grateful. I think everything happens for a reason and I feel this will become clear in time. It's all a big learning process. Thanks for your help!

:)

-- posted by alloverthere

» newjob - Should I tell my boss I am looking for another job?

Hi Melissa,

Here is my situation: I have a really great boss, but my company culture dictates that my present position is the only one I can have here. My job dissatisfaction has nothing to do with the people I work with - I am simply starting to get restless and don't feel challenged at all. I know in another situation my best course of action would be to tell my boss that I am bored and see if she could help me find the way to move to a position with more responsibility and would interest me more.

So, should I tell her that I have started to look for a new position at a new company?

Thank you,
NewJob

-- posted by newjob

» Melissa Dylan - Should I tell my boss I am looking for another job?

In response to Should I tell my boss I am looking for another job? posted by newjob:
Interesting situation, newjob, and I'm not sure I have all the information I need to help. If it's a company culture thing, and not a policy, I don't see why you can't approach the boss and ask for a few new responsibilities. If they realize their choice is to utilize a motivated employee or to lose one, I can't imagine why they'd choose the latter.

Again, I don't know your company, and the reasons behind their policy don't currently make sense. I also don't know how long you have been with this company or your current position. Be careful not to prematurely jump ship: everyone must pay their dues in postitions that are mundane with tasks that aren't challenging. A lot of younger people make the mistake of getting restless quite frequently, (I admittedly have this problem), and it's no wonder the managers aren't compelled to shift policy for their whims. Demonstrate first a willingness to be a team player, and to take on tasks that no one wants.

However, if you've properly accessed your situation and they adamantly refuse to assist you in your career advancement, there's no harm in letting them know you're seeking opportunities that they don't offer.

» mark7000 - is two week's notice enough?

I'm an owner of small retail & design store, (two other employees beside myself). One of the full-time employees has told me that they are applying for other jobs and that once they find a job, they will then give me two week's notice. The problem is, they could find a job next week, a month from now, 2 months, etc.
I like this employee very much and he has said that the desire to move on is a financial one only (mostly that they need health insurance benefits that we cannot provide). However, because of the nature of my business (design and home furnishings), it will be very difficult to find someone to replace him with only two weeks notice, and I also can't run the place without that spot filled. So I feel like I need to start looking now to replace this person. But, without really knowing when the current employee will be leaving. . .
I don't want to find a replacement and then have to kick the current employee out. It's kind of sticky.
I guess my main question is, should I be at the mercy of the current employee and wait until they find another job and give me two week's notice or should we just set a date (say, 30 days out) when they will leave (new job in hand or not), so I can aggressively start the replacement search now?
Thanks for any ideas.

-- posted by mark7000

» Melissa Dylan - is two week's notice enough?

In response to is two week's notice enough? posted by mark7000:
Hi Mark,

You're in a tough situation, and one that many small employers face. Its not unrealistic to give your current employee a deadline for leaving. This way s/he is dedicated to his/her job search, and not holding you hostage on what may be a lackadaisical hunt. It is nice that s/he is so straightforward in his need for a different position, but in doing so s/he must understand your needs as well.

I do wonder about something. You obviously live in a state that does not mandate health care for all employees, but just because it is not required does not mean it's not something that small businesses shouldn't consider. If this person is such a valued employee, it may be worth it for you to consider providing benefits as a means of retaining and attracting valuable employees. This may continue to be a problem down the road, and there is not gaurantee that the replacement will be as good as the person you are losing, or better. I understand that companies undergo a good deal of cost in providing benefits, but the gains for your company (loyal employees are often priceless!) are huge. Not to mention it's the right thing to do--no employee should have to work without benefits, no matter how small the business that employes them.

» Andrea_Coutu - Other than the standard two weeks notice you give your boss when

In response to Other than the standard two weeks notice you give your boss when posted by dmd7720:
Don't tell your boss you're looking. Once they know you're looking, you'll be seen as disloyal. Companies expect good employees to shop around to test their value, but you don't want your employer to know you're thinking of leaving.

Andrea
Get a second job

-- posted by Andrea_Coutu

» jobops54 - Departing

Melissa,
Given this scenario how would you proceed? It is a co-worker's last week and you just had a favorable interview (take it the way your boss found out wasn't favorable for you). Say you get the new job and go to handle your 2 week's notice the following week, would the employer need to keep you there until the former co-worker's departure is filled first before allowing you to start the new job? (which may take a month)

Thanks,
Jobops54

-- posted by jobops54

» Melissa Dylan - Departing

In response to Departing posted by jobops54:

Unless you are a contracted employee, they can not force you to stay until the job is filled.