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Not a wedding question…but…How to amicably quit a job?

I started a job at a bakery about 8 months ago… When applying for the job, I let them know that I was actively looking for a teaching job, so the job might only be temporary. I also let them know that often times I would substitute teach on Monday’s, Thursday’s, and Friday’s… They needed someone immediately so I got the job. In any event, one of the teachers at the local elementary school went into labor about a month and a half early… So, shortly after getting the job at the bakery, I was brought in to teach at the school while the woman was on maternity leave. She came back shortly thereafter having her baby, but turned out, she didn’t feel comfortable having her near-newborn in daycare every single day. So, she up and abrupt quit. Because I had been with the kids for several months, I got offered the job at the elementary school.  So, I called my bosses to let them know that I would be putting in my two weeks’ notice. Instead, my boss said “Well, what about Saturdays? We really need you on Saturdays and during the summer”… I told her I’d think it over that night, but could not work weekdays. Well, my FI and I discussed it and decided that it would be great to have the job over the summer as he works on a college campus and doesn’t work during the summer. So, the extra cash would be a bonus. So, I told her yes… But that I couldn’t work EVERY Saturday. My boss said that was fine but was “glad to not have to hire a new person for the summer.” So, in any event, in the beginning, she only had me working every few Saturday’s and no weekdays. That quickly changed… She started scheduling me for Mondays, Fridays, AND Saturday’s. I told her “no, can’t do it”… But she gave some sob story that she didn’t have anyone else. So, I knew we reallllly needed the money, and felt that it was a sacrifice I’d have to make so we could live comfortably. So, she dropped the working Monday’s, but not the Fridays… So every darn Friday, I’ve been rushing out of school at the end of the day and going straight to work.  I decided to take graduate classes this summer and made her aware of my schedule… She had the audacity to ask me to not take the class! The class is only three weeks long—5 days a week, in the morning. She can surely live with that. My FI told me that this is just too much and we will make due with what we have. I couldn’t agree more! I actually enjoy working at the bakery, but, teaching is my passion and rushing back and forth between the two has me nearly pulling my hair out.

So, in all honesty… I’ve never quit a job under these circumstances. The only other jobs I’ve quit were because I was moving and it went without explanation. I’m not guaranteed a teaching position next year, I’ll find out soon (hopefully). So, I’d like to quit the job on good terms so in case I have to go back to a retail job, I can feel good about putting them on my applications. I don’t know HOW to go about this… 2 weeks notice? Do I need to explain myself? I have a feeling once I do this; she will make the last two weeks as MISERABLE as possible.  I’ll deal with it… But, has anyone been able to amicably quit a job? I feel like it never ends amicably--no matter how good the reason!

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Re: Not a wedding question…but…How to amicably quit a job?

  • I started a job at a bakery about 8 months ago… When applying for the job, I let them know that I was actively looking for a teaching job, so the job might only be temporary. I also let them know that often times I would substitute teach on Monday’s, Thursday’s, and Friday’s… They needed someone immediately so I got the job. In any event, one of the teachers at the local elementary school went into labor about a month and a half early… So, shortly after getting the job at the bakery, I was brought in to teach at the school while the woman was on maternity leave. She came back shortly thereafter having her baby, but turned out, she didn’t feel comfortable having her near-newborn in daycare every single day. So, she up and abrupt quit. Because I had been with the kids for several months, I got offered the job at the elementary school.  So, I called my bosses to let them know that I would be putting in my two weeks’ notice. Instead, my boss said “Well, what about Saturdays? We really need you on Saturdays and during the summer”… I told her I’d think it over that night, but could not work weekdays. Well, my FI and I discussed it and decided that it would be great to have the job over the summer as he works on a college campus and doesn’t work during the summer. So, the extra cash would be a bonus. So, I told her yes… But that I couldn’t work EVERY Saturday. My boss said that was fine but was “glad to not have to hire a new person for the summer.” So, in any event, in the beginning, she only had me working every few Saturday’s and no weekdays. That quickly changed… She started scheduling me for Mondays, Fridays, AND Saturday’s. I told her “no, can’t do it”… But she gave some sob story that she didn’t have anyone else. So, I knew we reallllly needed the money, and felt that it was a sacrifice I’d have to make so we could live comfortably. So, she dropped the working Monday’s, but not the Fridays… So every darn Friday, I’ve been rushing out of school at the end of the day and going straight to work.  I decided to take graduate classes this summer and made her aware of my schedule… She had the audacity to ask me to not take the class! The class is only three weeks long—5 days a week, in the morning. She can surely live with that. My FI told me that this is just too much and we will make due with what we have. I couldn’t agree more! I actually enjoy working at the bakery, but, teaching is my passion and rushing back and forth between the two has me nearly pulling my hair out.

    So, in all honesty… I’ve never quit a job under these circumstances. The only other jobs I’ve quit were because I was moving and it went without explanation. I’m not guaranteed a teaching position next year, I’ll find out soon (hopefully). So, I’d like to quit the job on good terms so in case I have to go back to a retail job, I can feel good about putting them on my applications. I don’t know HOW to go about this… 2 weeks notice? Do I need to explain myself? I have a feeling once I do this; she will make the last two weeks as MISERABLE as possible.  I’ll deal with it… But, has anyone been able to amicably quit a job? I feel like it never ends amicably--no matter how good the reason!

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  • sit down and talk to her and explain to her everything you just explained here. tell her that you really do like working there but she's placing demands on your time that you cannot meet. if you had discussed this with her before you were hired then she hopefully will understand why you ca no longer work there. just be honest with her.

  • xoxobxoxob member
    1000 Comments
    honesty is always the best policy! however, if I were you, I would probably be holding out until I found out if I was getting the teaching job, since you said you should know soon.
  • I do plenty of extra work myself because the bonus money adds on and help keep the extra expenses easy! but you will have to ask yourself a few questions before you can decide on it.

    1) Is your teaching job permanent, are you sure you will be able to teach there permanantly? if you get a permanent teaching spot, i don't see why you need to worry about the bakery work...

    2) Do you have time? if you don't have enough time, then why force yourself to work more and keep your bakery owner happy. Am a business man and i hire people, so i can tell you clearly that i too over work my employees and i present them with the best stories to keep their prices low and work high :) sorry, but that's the way the business work.

    Don't get emotional and take a realistic decision and quit your job if you have to.
  • Yikes.  It must feel good that your boss at the bakery likes you and trusts you so much, but that is a lot to put on your shoulders.  It isn't your problem that she doesn't have anyone else to put on when you can't be there and that sounds like a really lame excuse considering the current rate of unemployment.  I bet if she put an ad up on craigslist, she'd get an inbox full of applicants right away.  I had an ad up looking for a server for my father's restaurant and I literally had 30 responses within an hour.  At any rate, your degree is in teaching, you told her to begin with that you'd most likely be a temporary employee.  You don't really owe her anything.
    Sit her down and say that while you are flattered that she places so much trust in you, you can't keep up this schedule during the regular school year, but if she needs your help in the summer when you're not teaching anymore, you'd be happy to be there a few days a week (if that's still the case).  Tell her how you feel the same way you told us, there's nothing unreasonable about what you said at all!! 
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