How soon would you tell your boss that you may have to quit your job?
By sedel1027
@sedel1027 (17846)
Cupertino, California
September 28, 2008 1:12pm CST
About a month and a half ago I was hired by a lady who was just starting off a business teaching kids computer classes in day cares (3 & 4 year olds). I was suppose to start working the first week in September, but Hurricane Gustav came through and postponed everything by a week.
She told me that things would be slow to start, but would pick up quickly. When she hired me I told her I had to make at least $600/month and she said that wasn't a problem. She said that in a month I should have 100-125 kids to teach a week, so I would be making 300-400/week + mileage. Not bad for only working 20-30 hours a week. Plus this job has a lot of perks, I can put my son on the bus in the morning, get him off in the afternoons and I am off on the days he has off of school.
Well next week is week #3 that I am teaching, so far I only have 12 kids (at 3 different day cares to teach). I get paid per kid and get mileage (which isn't a big deal since all of the daycare are less than 2 miles from my home). As you can see this is way off the mark from what she originally said I would be making. I have tried to help her by doing some marketing to daycares she has not spoken with yet.
Friday my husband was "downsized" due to business being slow from the hurricanes and the economy slump. So the paycheck he gets on Friday will be his last. Friday night he did apply for unemployment but Louisiana has one of the lowest pay out rate (they are ranked like 46 out of 50!). When I tried to figure out what he should be getting it is like $250/week (not even half of what he was making per week); a good friend of ours did the math for his state, he would get $500/week. Last time he was unemployed it look about 2 months for him to find something new, so right now he is back to trying to loose 4 lbs and maybe get into the Marine Corps (something he was planning on doing but not until after Christmas because our finances are super shaky).
I have been sort of looking for a new job or at least a second job. This morning I sent emails out to all of my contacts to see IF there was anything out there that may be better than what I have now.
Since she hired me, we have become fast friends. We are a lot a like and grew up int he same area. I haven't even told her yet that he was downsized and mention the situation we are in.
Should I wait until I have found something, or should I just mention the situation and see what she says? I really like this job and I really like her, I would hate to just give her 2 weeks notice out of the blue.
4 people like this
14 responses
@beautyqueen26 (16030)
• United States
1 Oct 08
That sounds like a dream job!
I can understand why you love it.
And under ordinary circumstances,
if your spouse still had a job,
it would probably work out.
But, without another income,
it might be difficult
to make ends meet
with so few clients
in your present situation.
Since she's your friend,
maybe you could
talk things over with her.
Perhaps she has other clients that
she could assign to you.
I've got my fingers
crossed and am hoping
the best for you.
1 person likes this
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
6 Oct 08
Thanks.
I am doing some marketing this week and she has promised to get me more kids. I picked up 2 daycares last week, so now i am up to 25 kids, so only 75 more to go lol My husband decided to go into the military, so what he makes will help out a lot with the bills.
1 person likes this
@moonlitmagikchild (22181)
• United States
29 Sep 08
ordinarily i would say give two weeks and thats it but with all this happening i would tell her asap that your hubbys out of work and you need her to either step up your earnings some how or that you were gonna have to leave.. that way if by miracle she could bring in more business you arent leaving when it could have worked out.. if it still wouldnt have worked out with the extra money and still would have had to get a 2nd job etc you would at least have it go up a little till you find the right opportunity but if she were to tell you outright sorry it i cant do it etc.. then i think she might let you leave before 2 weeks just because of your need for money asap.. if she is your friend i couldnt see her holding you to it if its gonna ruin your families lives..
but then again she has to run a business too.. but hopefully you both could work something out..
good luck and i hope everything QUICKLY works out.. im going through something similar
1 person likes this
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
6 Oct 08
She is suppose to be getting more more kids this week. We will see. I started at 2 daycares last week, so now I am up to 25 kids. I have looked at a few part time jobs as well as sell aromatherapy stuff for a friend of mine. Hopefully, all o fthat will work out.
1 person likes this
@icyorchid (2564)
• United States
28 Sep 08
Hi,
I would tell her about your situation so there are no surprises if and when you find something else. Especially if you have become good friends. You don't want to have this interfere with that friendship.
It's too bad that La is amoung the lowest 5 for unemployment! I guess it's better than being #1! lol I think La needs to revamp a lot of things and bring us all into the 21st centry! lol
1 person likes this
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
6 Oct 08
I ended up talking to her, of course she wants me to stay but I am still looking for another job.
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
1 Oct 08
Sorry to hear about your situation. I know it would definately be stressing me out if it was me. All I can say is the best thing your husband and you could do is Pray about it, and believe God for everything to be OK. I know sometimes things can be rough in this world financially, but if you Trust God to open a door everytime your husband or you send out a Resume, something Good is bound to happen. And if you have to give a notice, I am sure your friend will understand. Keep us updated, and wishing you the Best.
1 person likes this
@quinnkl (1667)
• United States
30 Sep 08
First, I would never give notice without having a job you are ready to go into first. Second, I would discuss with her that you are thinking of taking a second job because of finances, and maybe she will help you work out a schedule to let you do that if another job comes up in the meantime! Honestly really is the best policy, especially since she has become a friend as well as an employer I think.
1 person likes this
@sudalunts (5523)
• United States
28 Sep 08
Since, you and her are friends, I think you should let her know the situation. Emphasize to her that your husband is no longer working, and his unemployment and what you are making is not going to cut it. Probably on your off days you can look for something else. Since you love what you are doing, maybe you can find another part time job, that will supplement the income you are striving for.
I am on unemployment, and it is not nearly as much as I was making also. I am losing about $900.00 per month, compared to what I was previously making.
It has been three months for me, and I have not found anything yet.
I wish you and your family luck, God bless
1 person likes this
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
6 Oct 08
I ended up talking to her and she promised to get me more kids this week. We will see. I NEED her to pull through for me though. I am still looking for something else.
@LittleMel (8742)
• Canada
29 Sep 08
ok so it may take another 2 months for your hubby to find a new job
but you and your boss are now friends so she would appreciate it if you could talk to her about your personal situation and that you need a job that pays more right now
she might be upset about it or she might become more resourceful in looking for new clients so that you can earn the income she said you would
whatever it is, at least you are honest and told her in advance what may happen
I have never found a place where I liked both the job and the people, usually I didn't mind the job but the co worker or management were not worth the attention, so I never had problems leaving with 2 weeks notice. but if I happened to like both the job and the people, I would be as confused as you are now.
@yuna15 (2706)
• Philippines
28 Sep 08
I think you should still tell her that you need more than what you are getting right now. She wouldn't like it of course but I think she would understand. Especially if what you are getting from your job right now does not meet your needs. It's her right to know that you have decided to get another job. Have a nice day!
1 person likes this
@saundyl (9783)
• Canada
19 Oct 08
I've usually given 2 weeks notice however even when i havent given 2 weeks notice i've had a new job lined up.
On occasion one(two occasions actually) I gave so called short notice. Once was when the owner was not paying me for my full hours and when i confronted her about it she called all her employees lazy cows and wouldnt talk to any of us. I gave her notice via written letter as she refused to talk to me...2 days prior to me leaving for a weeks's vacation. Saying that i wouldnt be back due to the reasons listed. However i also had another job lined up to go to...and i filed a complaint against her for all the over time and other hours i was shorted. She apparently I'm told never bothered to read the letter til the day before i was to come back AFTER she made up the schedule. I figured that her fault it was "Short" notice because i had given it to her AND dated it...as well as trying to talk to her prior to resorting to the letter
The other time i didnt give notice was when i was hired to be full time (i said i couldnt take part time because i was driving an hour and a half round trip for work) and they gave me SPLIT SHIFTS 2 per per day at 2 hours apeice. I was offered a different job (the one ive been at for 3 years now and love) and could start the next day. The schedule wasnt posted - so i went in and told the manger i wouldnt be in again. She was ticked at me but said she couldnt require me to give her 2 weeks notice as i had only been there a month and to get 2 weeks notice here one must be working at a place for a min of 3 months.
In your case..I'd talk to her about your concerns that you were mislead as to the amount of income...students and hours you would be having and say that if it wasnt going to work out you'd start looking for a new job and give her notice when you got one.
@kerriannc (4279)
• Jamaica
29 Sep 08
The economic woes is on all of us worldwide. What I would advise is that to see if you can do some marketing. You see when one started a business it tends to be slow at the beginning and frustration creep in at the end to make you give up. With your husband being out of a job soon the first thought that cross your mind is to hand in an resignation but I would advised you to stay and see if in between you can get something doing. Why don't you try out some of the writing sites and maybe doing some more mylotting in between. There are persons here who can attest to receiving over $200 dollars per month and with the writing sites you can be able to make it. I wish you all the best.
1 person likes this
@beccasthoughts (303)
• United States
28 Sep 08
I would suggest discussing your situation with your boss. It's better to talk than to keep quiet. She may be able to help you and offer you more kids to teach if there are any. She could also work with you and may know of a second job that you can take that would not interfere with your current one and keep you on the same schedule. If you don't take the time to talk with your boss, you may never know what she may be able to help you with.
@seeths (413)
•
29 Sep 08
I think may be one month before I would tell my boss that I am leaving as out here we need to give notice to our company if we are leaving so that they make sure that they get an alternative person and it would be easy for them and for me also before joining any new company.Personally I feel it is better for us to tell our boss sooner so that we dont get in to any trouble.
Regards
@DamianC (31)
• United States
29 Sep 08
The people at my dayjob are not that bad so I would be very grateful to them and tell them like a month ahead of time t train teh person thats going to take my place. These people never give me any trouble at all, but I don't like depending on "job security" for these kind of things.
@sandra966 (269)
• Spain
28 Sep 08
Yep, I think I have to agree with everyone else. Talk to her.
She has become a friend, and deserves to know. Also maybe she is aware of your hardship and knows that you are going to say this sooner or later, just giving her the opportunity to hear it first is the right thing to do.
I hope your situation improves and quickly. Good luck.
1 person likes this
