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Two weeks ago today, I resigned from my current position. It's a full-time HR job and while I enjoy the work for the most part, the environment leaves a bit to be desired. Also, I'm moving across the country at the end of the year and have decided to leave the full-time life and go back to bartending on the beach and cater-waiting at night. I'm finishing up my BA this year and would like to be able to take an extra class for the next two terms and finish more quickly. That would be quite difficult to do while working 40+ hours at the office, but a more flexible work schedule will allow that. I'd like a bit of a life this summer as well, seeing as its my last on the beach before I move to the rain-soaked mountains of Western WA. ANYWAY!
As I said, I resigned two weeks ago via a meeting with my supervisors, and submitted my letter and all that. Company policy is a standard two week notice, but they asked for longer from me. My position is tricky in that it takes quite a bit of training and we're a small firm, so we don't have a training specialist in HR who is available to train new hires. We simply don't have the turnover to require that, so it falls to the exiting employee to train their replacement. I'm flexible and don't exactly hate the job, so I gave a hard end date of April 28th, which gave them about 2 months to get someone hired and trained before I leave. I wanted to devote the entire summer season to the grind, from May-September so that seemed okay to me. Weird to give such a long notice, but fine by me, because I'm flexible.
In my resignation meeting, I was told that I would be very involved in the recruitment process. They said they valued me and my opinion and my expertise of the position and wanted me there. Well, they didn't follow through on that. They started interviews today, a full two weeks after my initial resignation. I was not asked to be a part of the interview, but two co-workers from the department (who occasionally cover the position but have other full-time roles) sat in on the interview instead. I am very upset about this. Due to my flexibility, I was willing to work out such a long notice to "help them out" with the condition that I would be able to take the valuable experience with me of interviewing and being involved in that process. This is one of my first "grown up" jobs and I was really looking forward to being able to say in a future interview that I was given the opportunity to experience that side of HR. To reiterate, this was a big plus for me to agreeing to such a long notice period.
On top of this, they haven't done much to make me feel welcome in my own job in the last two weeks, which I certainly don't blame them for, as I am leaving. Common courtesy and respect does seem to go out the window in this particular organization, as soon as someone decides to quit. I was (and am still) committed to doing my best during my notice period, but I'm frustrated. I could already be working somewhere else, making 3x the money I make here, and probably happier overall. Why stay? Why stay if they aren't going to follow through and make it worth it for me? Is that a super petty attitude to have? Are my concerns valid or should I just suck it up and stay as long as I said I would? According to policy, I'm within my rights to give a two-weeks notice and leave. I don't want to risk a negative reference in the future, but its getting to the point that I'm just really unhappy.
If you want to avoid a negative reference then you need to stay until April 28th.
You are in the right to walk off the job at any point now but you agreed to stay until a certain date. If you leave earlier then that then you are risking a negative reference.
If you want to avoid a negative reference then you need to stay until April 28th.
You are in the right to walk off the job at any point now but you agreed to stay until a certain date. If you leave earlier then that then you are risking a negative reference.
Even though they aren't holding up their end of the deal?
Also, my resignation letter was worded in such a way that basically says "on or before April 28th" and not necessarily up to April 28th - that's just the date I said I would absolutely NOT work passed.
You're just an employee of the company! What are you expecting, some mourners wake over you leaving? You already told them you are moving on and they have decide they are moving on past you also. Forget all that comfy-cozy speech nonsense (and I'm surprised anyone falls for that anymore) as it's purpose is designed to make you feel relax and happy so you don't go around doing and saying stupid things that hurts them. Beyond that, they have already kicked your butt to the curb!
If you don't like it, walk out now, no big deal, no sorrows! Why do you care about any reference if your as good as you think you are? Heck take the 3X your salary and don't look back! However, if your education, skills and persona just isn't good enough to speak for themselves and you need that reference, suck it up and hang you head and play along.
You're in a tricky position at this point because you want to put them down as a reference.
Can you discuss this with one of your supervisors in a non-confrontational way? Just let them know that you were under the impression that you would be involved in the interview process and if it's possible to end your employment earlier if they are not going to hold up their end of the deal.
Do you think you can survive for another 5+ weeks? If it is something that is too stressful or upsetting for you then you should leave ASAP.
You're just an employee of the company! What are you expecting, some mourners wake over you leaving? You already told them you are moving on and they have decide they are moving on past you also. Forget all that comfy-cozy speech nonsense (and I'm surprised anyone falls for that anymore) as it's purpose is designed to make you feel relax and happy so you don't go around doing and saying stupid things that hurts them. Beyond that, they have already kicked your butt to the curb!
If you don't like it, walk out now, no big deal, no sorrows! Why do you care about any reference if your as good as you think you are? Heck take the 3X your salary and don't look back! However, if your education, skills and persona just isn't good enough to speak for themselves and you need that reference, suck it up and hang you head and play along.
I expect of them only what we agreed to - that I would stay for X amount of time with the condition that I would be involved in the interviewing process for my position. I'm not crying over them, and they aren't crying over me. That's not the point. At this point, they need me more than I need them. Honestly. They need me not to leave early, because if I do, the department is screwed and it would screw everyone, including my supervisor. Everyone is replaceable, I'm not a special snowflake, but I know how this goes down for them if I leave before someone is trained in my position. I'm trying to be a nice person and not let it come to that. But they aren't doing what they said. Why should I do them any favors? Why should it be my problem? Like you said, they've already kicked me to the curb. I'm not expecting special treatment, but I do expect people to follow through with what they said. Otherwise, we part ways now.
My pragmatic advice would be to let everything go and do whatever you can to finish this out with a good reference. Unlike many new graduates, you will have a huge advantage of experience in a professional full-time role. It can really set you up for later success. Don't let ego or frustration blow that chance. You will thank yourself when you finish school, I guarantee it
1) I think it's entirely possible that the company doesn't have you involved in interviews on purpose. I could see why they might think there is a conflict of interest. The conflict being that you have no interest in how well this replacement performs. Not saying it's true but as a whole an organization is right in being concerned about that.
2) If I were you, I would casually bring it up that you are willing to help interview people. If they oblige then great, if not don't make a big deal about it. As others said, you want the positive review. I interview people in my current role, it's not that big of a deal nor is it some sort of skill that will advance your career much. Also, keep in mind that this isn't a condition of your continued employment, it sounds like they like you and I think that is more important than the experience gained with interviewing candidates.
Is it possible that they're still going to include you in the interview process, but just later when they have narrowed it down to a potential handful? They are the ones that are going to have to work with the new hire in the long run, so maybe they're getting a feel for fit, etc. Then bring you in for the more in-depth job detail reviews.
Don't burn bridges. You never know who knows someone, even in Western WA. You want to leave on good terms, knowing that this will be a good reference for you.
You could let them know that you were hoping to be a part of the interview process, and feel that your expertise about what the position entails would be valuable. Don't make it about gaining experience for yourself, because they have no reason to care about that, but if you emphasize what's in it for them, maybe you'll get a chance to play a role.
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