New job...Leaving current job...Stress! - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

scarglitter · 10-19-2006, 06:05 PM

Hello all,
I have some questions about work etiquette. This may be long winded!

I have been working in a research lab for the same doctor over the last 3 years. I recently earned a BS, and plan to take time off to continue working before grad school (probably 2 years). I was planning on staying with my current boss during this time; however, I was recently solicited by colleague at a competing research department for my CV, and I figured it couldn't hurt. A couple of months later, a new researcher wanted to meet me after reviewing my CV, and requested an interview. The interview went quite well, and I was offered the job with a nice pay increase. Sounds beautiful so far, right?

Well, there are several layers. First, my current boss has lost several people to this research facility. He tends to underpay, and requires a lot of work from his employees with little show of appreciation. He is also past retirement age, which makes me nervous. I feel loyal to him to a degree, but mostly feel loyal to my coworkers. I love my job, but I am getting more administrative crap lately (because of recent turnover) and have had to cut back on the research side. However, it would not be as hard to leave if it was for another research job - this specific facility is a sore spot for him.

The new researcher is really awesome. He is from one of the top universities in the US, and has interesting studies with are directly related to my interests. I think this job will open doors for me and expand my network for grad school. Also, his grants are approved for several years.

So naturally I accepted the new job. It is an amazing oppotunity. I just can't help but feel like I am backstabbing. Even worse, the new job does not start for several months, but I am afraid to give my notice now because my current boss might get mad and let me go/fire me (I have bills to pay!). Also, my other supervisor heard about the new researcher, and is now pushing to get everyone raises so we are not easily swayed to work for him (she does not know I interviewed with him). I feel so guilty when she talks about him, because I already know I was swayed to work with him.

The main question here is, how do I leave my current job in a few months without burning bridges? Should I let them know now (and risk losing my job and not being able to pay bills) or wait until maybe 1-2 months before I start? I am also afraid my boss will find out soon because he knows so many people at the other facility. I am excited about the new job, but can not help but feel like complete crap about leaving my current job.

What do you guys think? I need some impartial opinions....

Willravel · 10-19-2006, 06:17 PM

As a boss, I know that I can expect a lot from my employees. I can only control to a point how much work I need done by them, and also how much I can pay. HOWEVER, I always show my appreciation. Why? Because I have really great people working for me. If your current, now former boss couldn't treat people with respect, then it's no one's fault but his own that people leave. You stayed a lot longer than other people, proving that you were a very loyal employee...something to be commended. One thing to always remember: loyalty must have it's limits. Unlimited loyalty is called blind devotion, and is something to avoid. Loyalty is both earned and finite.

If it were me, I'd tell her. I'd thank her for the opportunity, and let the chips fall where they may. But that's me. I have extra $$ stashed just in case, and you don't. I'd start saving now if the threat of being fired is a real one.

Sage · 10-20-2006, 12:11 PM

Yeah, what will said. Your new job is the best thing for you- it's a step up in your world, and a stepping stone in the direction that you want to go. You should NOT feel guilty for working for another company when they're obviously offering you more money and a better work enviroment. I mean, the guy you're working for now seems to not really care about retaining employees, perhaps he really is gearing up for retirement soon. You are doing the right thing by looking out for #1. If your current boss has issues with that, screw them because they're being too myopic to retain good emloyees (namely=you) anyway. Huzzah for capitalism!

JustJess · 10-20-2006, 12:18 PM

DON'T GIVE ANY NOTICE UNTIL YOU HAVE A SIGNED OFFER LETTER DETAILING THE NEW JOB.

And remember to not do anything stupid that might keep you from passing any drug tests or background checks in the meantime, as all offers are always contingent on that stuff.

10-19-2006, 06:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
scarglitter Upright	New job...Leaving current job...Stress! Hello all, I have some questions about work etiquette. This may be long winded! I have been working in a research lab for the same doctor over the last 3 years. I recently earned a BS, and plan to take time off to continue working before grad school (probably 2 years). I was planning on staying with my current boss during this time; however, I was recently solicited by colleague at a competing research department for my CV, and I figured it couldn't hurt. A couple of months later, a new researcher wanted to meet me after reviewing my CV, and requested an interview. The interview went quite well, and I was offered the job with a nice pay increase. Sounds beautiful so far, right? Well, there are several layers. First, my current boss has lost several people to this research facility. He tends to underpay, and requires a lot of work from his employees with little show of appreciation. He is also past retirement age, which makes me nervous. I feel loyal to him to a degree, but mostly feel loyal to my coworkers. I love my job, but I am getting more administrative crap lately (because of recent turnover) and have had to cut back on the research side. However, it would not be as hard to leave if it was for another research job - this specific facility is a sore spot for him. The new researcher is really awesome. He is from one of the top universities in the US, and has interesting studies with are directly related to my interests. I think this job will open doors for me and expand my network for grad school. Also, his grants are approved for several years. So naturally I accepted the new job. It is an amazing oppotunity. I just can't help but feel like I am backstabbing. Even worse, the new job does not start for several months, but I am afraid to give my notice now because my current boss might get mad and let me go/fire me (I have bills to pay!). Also, my other supervisor heard about the new researcher, and is now pushing to get everyone raises so we are not easily swayed to work for him (she does not know I interviewed with him). I feel so guilty when she talks about him, because I already know I was swayed to work with him. The main question here is, how do I leave my current job in a few months without burning bridges? Should I let them know now (and risk losing my job and not being able to pay bills) or wait until maybe 1-2 months before I start? I am also afraid my boss will find out soon because he knows so many people at the other facility. I am excited about the new job, but can not help but feel like complete crap about leaving my current job. What do you guys think? I need some impartial opinions....

10-20-2006, 12:11 PM	#3 (permalink)
Sage hoarding all the big girl panties since 2005 Location: North side	Yeah, what will said. Your new job is the best thing for you- it's a step up in your world, and a stepping stone in the direction that you want to go. You should NOT feel guilty for working for another company when they're obviously offering you more money and a better work enviroment. I mean, the guy you're working for now seems to not really care about retaining employees, perhaps he really is gearing up for retirement soon. You are doing the right thing by looking out for #1. If your current boss has issues with that, screw them because they're being too myopic to retain good emloyees (namely=you) anyway. Huzzah for capitalism! __________________ Sage knows our mythic history, King Arthur's and Sir Caradoc's She answers hard acrostics, has a pretty taste for paradox She quotes in elegiacs all the crimes of Heliogabalus In conics she can floor peculiarities parabolous -C'hi

10-20-2006, 12:18 PM	#4 (permalink)
JustJess Unencapsulated Location: Kittyville	DON'T GIVE ANY NOTICE UNTIL YOU HAVE A SIGNED OFFER LETTER DETAILING THE NEW JOB. And remember to not do anything stupid that might keep you from passing any drug tests or background checks in the meantime, as all offers are always contingent on that stuff. __________________ My heart knows me better than I know myself, so I'm gonna let it do all the talkin'.

10-19-2006, 06:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	As a boss, I know that I can expect a lot from my employees. I can only control to a point how much work I need done by them, and also how much I can pay. HOWEVER, I always show my appreciation. Why? Because I have really great people working for me. If your current, now former boss couldn't treat people with respect, then it's no one's fault but his own that people leave. You stayed a lot longer than other people, proving that you were a very loyal employee...something to be commended. One thing to always remember: loyalty must have it's limits. Unlimited loyalty is called blind devotion, and is something to avoid. Loyalty is both earned and finite. If it were me, I'd tell her. I'd thank her for the opportunity, and let the chips fall where they may. But that's me. I have extra $$ stashed just in case, and you don't. I'd start saving now if the threat of being fired is a real one.