I am trying to quit my job. But I can't seem to find the right way to do it.

[PassingFair]

I have been working for over a year for a company that is owned
by a rapacious hedge fund. Many of us are union workers.

I am sick of selling products I don't believe in to businesses that don't
want them, so at first I thought that I would just let them fire me in the
prescribed timeline.

Now I just want OUT, but I want to walk with my vacation pay and any
future commission payments they owe me.

Soooo..... I put in for "vacation", but I don't know how much of it they
will approve.

My "boss" is literally so busy she hasn't had time to either figure out
how much vacation she's willing to approve, so I'm sitting here ....

Should I let them fire me, or should I quit?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. Don't let them fire you - it will hurt your future job prospects.

Figure out a way to quit gracefully that will allow them to give you a good reference for your next job.

[PassingFair]

2. The boss is a "company woman"...

I didn't feel comfortable asking her which exit strategy would benefit ME...as
she wouldn't see my wishes and wants as a priority.

I figured I should just put in for the vacation and let her spell it out for me.

I fully intended to quit this morning, but if I can take my two weeks, I will
get one more paycheck and be assured my vacation days are paid.

sigh......

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

4. Good luck, however it works out.

It does feel good to quit a job you hate.

[Phentex]

3. Do you have another job?

I think I'd go with the vacation plan if you can get it. Otherwise, if it's truly horrible, I'd quit and let the other stuff go.

[PassingFair]

6. Yeah....I can start the next job when I want...

Non-union job working with an old friend of mine who wants to market
some of his inventions.

As far away from my corporate sales job as I can get!

He will be paying me more than unemployment would, so I can't collect
unemployment, even if I COULD figure out a way to be "terminated without cause".


I took this job when both my husband and I were out of work.
It paid very well and covered the whole family with benefits...

It's just that I HATED EVERY MINUTE OF IT!

Now my husband is working, his company offers benefits, and he
has been urging me to break free from the hamster wheel of
corporate salesdom...

Now, my brain is already QUIT...but I don't want to walk away from
any vacay time or commission owed to me.

[Wolf Frankula]

5. Whatever You Do, Don't Do it Like this

You could end up in the Village.

Wolf

[PassingFair]

7. OMG...that is PERFECT!!

I just sent it to my co-worker, who also has another job lined up
and doesn't quite know how to make her exit...

Her situation is even dicier than mine, as her new job won't
cover her insurance-wise until April 1....

Take it from me, the place we work is only interested in
squeezing what it can from it's workers until it can feasibly
get rid of all of us.

[riderinthestorm]

8. Just tell them you've gotten a better offer.

No need to get angry or upset or tell them off. Just go in and be confident and firm.

Give them as much notice as you can and leave without guilt.

Good luck!

[PassingFair]

12. It's a corporate sales job.

They don't "do" 2 weeks notice.
As soon as they know you intend to leave, they cut
your computer access off and escort you from the building.

Then I have NO idea if they will pay the vacation/commission owed.

I was going to just quit, but then I thought,
"What the hell... I'm gonna see if they will let me take my vacation days."

Here I sit, at 3:00.....I still haven't heard back yet from my over-worked boss
whether or not my vacation is approved.

Some indication of my frustration with working for that place!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

13. Your state probably has labor/employment laws that require them

to pay commissions and accrued vacations. You might check their web site or call a lawyer to see how you can protect your right to those payments.

[riderinthestorm]

16. Can you speak to HR first then? Ask them what the protocol is for quitting

and their payout of your commissions etc?

Even though you know they're going to walk you out right away, when you resign make sure you offer to stay the two weeks. At least it's on the record then and you're conscious is clear.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

9. Turn in a resignation, effective in two weeks and take the loss of vacay pay.

If you are this frustrated AND you have another job already lined up then cut your losses and Move On.

Just my .o2

Good luck whatever happens.

[HappyMe]

10. I'm a big believer in the 2 weeks notice thing.

Burning bridges behind you can bite you in the ass in the end.

[LynneSin]

11. According to Pat Robertson - if your boss is a buddhist you could use that as a reason to quit

According to old idiot Pat he says Buddism is a disease and you should quit your job to not be infected.

Honestly, have you found any other jobs out there you can move on to when you leave this one? To quit means you might not get any unemployment, which could help out until you find your next job.

Good luck with whatever you do though!

[underahedgerow]

14. Always exit with class and dignity, and ask for a written reference. Prepare it in advance of course

so that all she has to do is sign it.

Since you're in a union, do all the calculations needed to be sure you get what is due to you via the correct process. It's business after all, don't leave it in their hands.

But... that being said, unless you've got another job lined up or a really really pretty fat bank account, stick it out with the goal in sight and do things in the right order.

Revenge fantasies are a hella lotta fun though, but it's best to not act on them, for the sake of your own character.

When it comes to the workplace, act like an adult. Keep it simple. "I'm afraid my work here is done." Usually works well for me.

[DFW]

15. I escaped that scene before I even knew it

I started with my outfit in 1975, told them I'd give them everything, but wanted to determine my own vacation, both when and how long. They said, fair enough, as long as it works out. This August, it'll have been 40 years. It's still working out.

[shenmue]

17. Show up drunk with no pants

Okay I'm kidding.

[seveneyes]

18. If I had the guts to say it ...

[olddots]

19. whats a job ?

I would line something up and quit nicely because you nevet know what will happen the day after tomorrow .

[DFW]

20. A choice of solutions was made up a few decades ago

It was referring to how to leave a partner rather than a job, but they still all seem feasible:

You just slip out the back, Jack
Make a new plan, Stan
You don't need to be Coy, Roy
Just listen to me:
Hop on the bus, Gus
You don't need to discuss much
Just drop off the key, Lee
And get yourself free

(..by Paul Simon, from "fifty ways to leave your lover&quot

[DebJ]

23. Ha ha that song started playing in my head as soon as I read the OP!

[DFW]

24. GMTA! n/t

[romanic]

21. Give two weeks notice

if you can.

[magical thyme]

22. a couple ideas here...

[PassingFair]

25. UPDATE:

Texted my boss this morning and told her that I needed her advice on
making a graceful exit. I told her that I was willing to give two weeks notice....

She texted me back, and said that she "respected my decision" to leave
and suggested I come in tomorrow or Monday for an "off-boarding" interview.

I just couldn't wait out my 2 weeks vacation attempt...couldn't stand the suspense!

I had a meeting yesterday with my new boss...my new job will consist of tons
of research and LOTS of LONG walks.