How can I say "I'm leaving this job. Can't you see" to my boss w/ graceful exit?

@jieuna (69)
Philippines
January 13, 2007 4:13am CST
These past few days, I was absent to my work. My officemates, as well as my boss ask me what the heck is wrong with me that they haven't see me coming to office. I was trying to avoid to answer phone calls right now. I want to quit my job as an analyst in a call center company but my mom says to just hold on because they are working out my papers to immigrant to Canada. I should be currently working they said. Besides, I'm the only one sustaining myself here. If I don't work, no money for me. But my boss is driving me crazy and I'm not happy in what I'm doing right now. I want to persue my plan of having my own business but my parents have make me feel they won't support me. They know what's good for me. Do they know that I'm still having a good working relationship w/ my boss right now? He's taking things personally.
8 people like this
27 responses
@kgwat70 (13387)
• United States
13 Jan 07
You should still leave your job on a good note and not a bad note, no matter what the situation is there. You do not want to burn bridges with an employer as it could come back to hurt you in getting a future or better job. You should still give two weeks notice if you are planning to quit and should find a new job before you quit your current one. You should listen to your parents as they give very good advice and I would try to hold on if you are looking to move to Canada. You should write a nice letter thanking them for allowing you to work there.
@jieuna (69)
• Philippines
13 Jan 07
he is just using his position against me. he is not professional and i wish bad karma hit him first before i take the consequences of my action.
• Philippines
13 Jan 07
first, are you working in a company that is owned by your boss? or is your boss being employed by the company you work for? i agree with the above poster here. if you want to resign, then do so with grace, no matter how much you dislike your boss. remember that when applying for future jobs, you might be asked for work references, and it would greatly help your application if your boss could turn in a good word for you. i didn't like my former boss, too, but when i resigned, i did so properly so i wouldn't get blacklisted or whatever when i apply in other companies.
@totalguy (563)
13 Jan 07
you could always look for another job? one of the more important things when looking for a job is if your in a job at the moment then your more likely to be employed by a new employer than someone who is unemployed, this is a good and bad thing really and it can be viewed differently by other people but from what isee of people looking for a job, people who do not have a job usually find it more difficult to get a job than people who already have one.
@jieuna (69)
• Philippines
17 Jan 07
i have noticed that too. i was like that before, it took me a year before i landed a good job then before i was hired here, i was working on my previous employer. thanks for your reply.
@skyhit (389)
• Indonesia
13 Jan 07
find another boss
@GardenGerty (160949)
• United States
13 Jan 07
IAt is good when someone with a similar experience can tell you the facts. You are being a good friend. I agree that you do not just walk off a job, as it is harder to find new work when you are out of work. It has happened to my husband, but he did not quit, he was fired. Ant they said it was for no reason on the paperwork. Don't give anyone a reason to fire you, or to give you a bad reference.
@jieuna (69)
• Philippines
17 Jan 07
hahaha! as simple as that...find another boss? anyway thanks for what a "skyhit" reply. hahaha
• United States
13 Jan 07
You know, I did the same thing a couple of weeks ago. I quit my job because of the same reason. Please, don't do the same thing and don't let anyone affect you. I regret what I did but it's all a learning experience espeically when you are young.
1 person likes this
@rudz11 (163)
• Philippines
14 Jan 07
well for me, first ill have conversation with my boss then through the middle of our discussion i will sloww bring the topic of leaving a my job.
@jieuna (69)
• Philippines
17 Jan 07
i'm still gathering some energy to do that. he just taking me personaly and i dont know why.
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
13 Jan 07
Sometimes we have to take the good with the bad and be tolerant in order to achieve something better. I would have to agree with your parents in relation to waiting for the immigration papers to Canada. It would be so disappointing to find out that your leaving the job has affected your application. Hopefully your papers will be with you sooner rather than later? Are you able to take unpaid leave or a paid holiday? Even maybe a week might give you the chance to unwind and lose some of your frustration. A short absence may also cool things down a bit between you and your boss? And if Canada doesn't look likely, save a little while to cover yourself and then pursue your dreams! The power of positive thinking is the key here in my opinion! When the going gets tough, remind yourself why you are there and what the end result will be..... One day you will get to tell the boss to stick it because you are about to get on a plane to Canada!
1 person likes this
@jieuna (69)
• Philippines
13 Jan 07
hahaha! thanks james72...a while ago i was talking to my assistant manager and told him that i am coming to this coming week. i even asked him to consider those absenses as my "vacation". hehehe
1 person likes this
• Canada
13 Jan 07
Sometimes you have to make sacrifices to get ahead and, if putting up with a job that you despise is one of them, so be it. At the end of the day, you should pay your employer the proper respect for giving you a job and, it sounds like your employer and co-workers are putting up with your absences which is not right. Either own up to the responsibility that you committed to when you accepted the job or be upfront and quit. If you boss doesn't treat you properly, that is another matter with completely different choices but don't justify the treatment by having an unhealthy attitude. You don't need this kind of silly decision hanging over your head and you are just burning bridges as you screw around.
1 person likes this
@moneymind (10510)
• Philippines
14 Jan 07
your boss has the right to ask you for a reason why were you absent, it is also his/her job to make sure that every thing in the office is working well including all office staff to be present at all times if it is possible. since you have said that you are not happy with you work, then i guess it is proper to give your resignation letter to your boss rather than being hipocrete to you self. greetings. : )
@jieuna (69)
• Philippines
17 Jan 07
he has the right to ask yes i agree but that right was being abused for the first place. he should tell me politely what was wrong in my doing instead of stopping me to give my reasons why a problem occured. he was saying nasty things as if he was a kid. he was 3 years older than me and i know that somehow we are in the same level of thinking. but for his position in that company and with his working attitude, he doesn't deserve that.
@banta78 (4326)
• India
14 Jan 07
I think you should figure out what you want to do with you career and job in future in consultation with your parents. Then once you have secured a good job in good company then you can given notice to your current empoyers, following your company's rules, give atleast two week notice and explain your position to your boss that you are leavin for professional reasons and not any personal reasons as you want o advance your career, have good better job, and want o twork abroad. Try to keep it as pleasant as possible. Because you should try to quit your job with grace and dignity. So that they can provide good working references for you in future. And give your new bosses postive feedback on you. you won't like to burn your bridges with them as you might have to work with them in future. hope it works out well for you. good luck.
@jieuna (69)
• Philippines
17 Jan 07
what you have just told me was my action from my previous employer before i landed here in my current job. there is no difference whether you try to be considerate or not. it still the same banana for me. i dont know why or what i should learn from this. whew!
• United States
13 Jan 07
When your job is making you sick, there is something definitely wrong with the job and how you are relating to your job. It is very dangerous to hang on to something that is not worthwhile even though you are young and needs that job. A job that is making you sick is going to drive to into some other bad habits or to escape with other bad behavior. I suspect that your job and that kind of work environment or the nature of your job itself is not exactly aligned to your belief systems. When you are doing something that is not aligning to your belief systems or your moral values - that is the most difficult thing in your life. I emphatize with you entirely. Now, you have a choice and the choices are 1) Peacefully and gracefully exit the job and not burning the bridges behind. 2) Bear and grind for another few months while you are preparing to do something else or 3) Immediately look for another job that is more inline with what you like to do and to your passionate feelings. Since your parents said that they are helping you with the papers to immigrate to Canada may be you should listen to your mother; and immediately call your boss and tell him that you have not been feeling well and that you are going to come back to work right away. In the meantime, prepare yourself to move to Canada. Prepare yourself for your future. Leaving a job without any preparation is also not very wise move. To start a business of your own is not a bad idea since you are young and you have to do WHAT YOU LOVE most in order to be happy in your life. You stated that your parents wont support you, that is an indication that you are still clinging to their support and not ready to stuck out on your own. To own your own business there is a lot of sacrifice and lots of planning in term of finances to support the business and to support your lifestyle. Your livelyhood depends on how you can support yourself so YOU have to analyse and see if you can be on your own and how long and what business you want to go into and how do you think that you are going to be able to sustain the business. Let me know how you are doing and best wishes.
• United States
13 Jan 07
TO add to the above, when you are ready to leave your job, tell your boss in verbal and as a courtesy, also provide at least 2 weeks in advance in writing. When you are interview or if you are ask for the reasons that you are leaving, never state any anomosity in your reasons. State that you are grateful for the opportunity to work for your boss, for the company and for the job but state that you have decided to seek a different opportunity somewhere else or, to seek a different line of work somewhere else. That is sweet and short enough. Unless, and only there are serious circumstances that require the interventions by people higher in the company for an example that you are being harrassed or being blackmailed by your boss etc. If and when you are interviewing for another job, NEVER, EVER say anything bad about your previous job or your previous boss. Always say that you are seeking a better opportunity or you want to expand your knowledge and do something else that you like to do.. etc.
@vanities (11395)
• Davao, Philippines
14 Jan 07
if youre really decided to quit then write a resignation letter stating your reasons on it...i think thats the better way..
• India
13 Jan 07
look wat i can say is dat ven u r not wrong den nothing bad happens to u . god alwayz keeps his eye on us so dnt worry .
@jieuna (69)
• Philippines
17 Jan 07
wow...sniff,sniff...waaaaa!
• Israel
13 Jan 07
please dont quit your job now,for its not easy to get job nowadays.Moreover, you are not too sure you are going to get any job at canada. infact you will have to stay there for a long period of time before you can get used to happenings over there. so, please think twice.
@jieuna (69)
• Philippines
17 Jan 07
i have think of that my friend...that i wasn't even sure if there's a promising career waiting for me in canada. i just want to have a break in my life.
• Philippines
14 Jan 07
Its good to be honest. it makes thing more tension free.
• Philippines
13 Jan 07
my take on this is simple: follow the unwritten rule - follow the process. talk with your boss who is being personal with you.if you can't iron things out with your boss, go higher.don't stop until you get a favorable reply.you don't need to quit nor get hurt.you deserve the right to express your feelings and the right to a better work environment.good luck!
@jieuna (69)
• Philippines
15 Jan 07
Thank you for the suggestion. I'll take your advice as one of my option.
@moneymind (10510)
• Philippines
14 Jan 07
your boss has the right to ask you for a reason why were you absent, it is also his/her job to make sure that every thing in the office is working well including all office staff to be present at all times if it is possible. since you have said that you are not happy with you work, then i guess it is proper to give your resignation letter to your boss rather than being hipocrete to you self. greetings. : )
@Sir_bobby88 (8231)
• Singapore
14 Jan 07
Well is it a Full time job or a Part time job in the first place ? if it is a part time job , you simply have to call your boss up and say you don't want to work already and return all the company stuff yea , Whereas Full time job i think you need to go to your boss office to sumbit a letter and Pack your things in the office yea ... it might be a embarssing but no choiche that the prodeure unless another big company are chasing after you then you might save some face yea
• Sri Lanka
14 Jan 07
Please note that whether you like your boss or not, you can't just keep away from work and hide. There is an ethical way of leaving a job. But before leaving a job you must try to find another one. Otherwise if you tell a new employer that you are not working right now, that will not be very advantageous to you. So go back to work immediately, if you want you say you were not well during the past few days. Starting your own business is good, but a business takes about 5 years to get established. It is better to start something while you work and then quit your job once it is established.
• United States
13 Jan 07
You should follow your heart and feelings. If your parents are being resistant then that is a sign of them being jealous because they did'nt have that chance when they were younger.And as far as your current job you should leave it on a good note.
• India
14 Jan 07
hi... i know how u feel...or atleast i amin the same kinda of dilema...i have been on leave for 4 months now.. and i am still not sure if i wnat to join back.. i will extend my leave as long as possible.. and then decide what to do.. i suggest u send in a formal leave application to ur boss till a certain date and if ur immigration goes through u can quit , at the same time till ur on leae u can work on a proposal for ur own business
• India
14 Jan 07
you shud hv the courage to speak the truth..be bold n just go n tell.....