Resigning- a few questions.

pinkshoes

A degree means very little nowadays...

What is important is work experience and career history, so think very carefully about quitting this job, even though you clearly don't like it, as when you come to apply for future jobs, then leaving a full time job in a recession won't look favourably on you, and you WILL have to explain the gap.

If you get interupted in your lunch breaks, then go out at lunch time. If there's no shops, go for a walk, or sit in your car!

As for the training, why not send your boss an email, remind them that they were going to give you training, then suggest to them the training course you want to go on, when it is, and how much it costs. If you organise it yourself, then they have no excuse not to let you go.

Working for a family company is bizarre, as it's THEIR private fund that you're spending, so they tend to be quite tight with money!! I work for a family business, and have to spend £100000s on my project, and it's always amusing trying to get purchase forms signed!!

bumpoowee

I'm sorry but I can't agree with what most people here seem to be saying. Having a job isn't just a case of being treated like crap, letting employers shaft you with illegal payment practices and being miserable. I do agree though that working late and in your lunch hour (unpaid) is sometimes an unwritten requirement of many jobs , particularly well paid ones or ones leading to better things in future.

Also although many graduates over-estimate themselves, there are also many who have excellent skills and ability to apply themselves. Many comments suggesting otherwise are borne out of jealousy.

I'd hate to work somewhere like you have described (I've had 7/8 different jobs in my life, and never had anything as bad as that), and fully understand your decision to quit. Just make sure, even if you are angry, you resign in a professional manner.

Jomo

I always say it's better to look for a job whilst in a job than not but you seem to hate it so much to stick with it.

So good luck.

andygb

Emily,
I assume that you are permanent, because you talk about "agency fees", could you not go to the human resources department of this company (If they have one)? Perhaps they are aware of this manager, and if he/she is treating everyone badly, then that is not good for morale, productivity, or stability within the department. If this happens on a regular basis, then the company can be expected to lose a lot of money in introduction fees.
If you could say something along the lines of - "Well I do like the company, but unfortunately I am criticised constantly by my manager". You could then tell them that you are thinking of looking for another job.
You will have to get a reference out of them when you leave, so tread carefully and bite your tongue.

Andy

Rockporkchop

If you are really unhappy there and can manage financially then you should leave. Just erase the job from your CV and your head. As someone said, you should leave professionally though, bearing in mind the six degrees of separation!

When I think about it, I have spent most of my working life hating my job. I have always put money before personal fulfilment every time. If I could go back I'm sure I would do it differently.

sackcloth

Having read all the thread, I agree that it's probably best to leave in a professional manner and with your pride and reputation intact. I've had jobs before where I was treated badly but still left with my head held high.

So if you are going to leave, do it quickly and cleanly. Don't ignore it on your CV but chalk it up to experience and make a positive of it when you are interviewed in the future (wasn't what you wanted to do, not quite the right fit etc.) so that any basic reference can be explained. In the meantime, take your lunch break away from your desk (outside if poss) and leave on time whether or not your boss huffs and puffs.

As for the agency, you should go back to them and give them some feedback. I have done this before and they have always been apologetic if things haven't turned out right because ultimately it's in their interest to have a good candidate in the role.

I have to say that the jobs where I have been happiest have been those where there has been a great team atmos and everyone has pulled together. Funny enough, whenever I've taken a job just for the money it's never worked out. I'm in that situation now and hating every minute of it. The recession has made everyone nervous and the bosses are taking advantage of this by paying terrible wages and offering flexible working times which are flexible to them not the worker!

Good luck and I hope you find something more suitable.
Sackcloth.

Raquela

just wanted to say, if you are going to be doing the GDL, it is very very hard work, even part time, and therefore giving up a full time job, if you can afford to do so financially, is a very very good idea to give this course the dedication it needs.

Unfortunately what you describe is pretty much what every job I have ever had is like, but then again, I got paid more. But yes, it is very rare nowadays (or seems it) to work a traditional 9-5, and never stay late, always have a proper lunch etc. But at the end of the day, if you don't enjoy the job itself, you never will, and personally, I would say that your GDL is more important if ultimately you want to go down the law path.

Emily1990_2

Raquela wrote: »

just wanted to say, if you are going to be doing the GDL, it is very very hard work, even part time, and therefore giving up a full time job, if you can afford to do so financially, is a very very good idea to give this course the dedication it needs.

Unfortunately what you describe is pretty much what every job I have ever had is like, but then again, I got paid more. But yes, it is very rare nowadays (or seems it) to work a traditional 9-5, and never stay late, always have a proper lunch etc. But at the end of the day, if you don't enjoy the job itself, you never will, and personally, I would say that your GDL is more important if ultimately you want to go down the law path.

Thank you! You've hit the nail on the head! There are a couple of people at my work doing the GDL and the managers have NOT been accommodating at all for them. As far as I'm concerned the GDL is far more important to me and I want to focus on getting lots of law related experience (pro bono etc)-I don't think I can do the course properly if I'm coming home every night feeling upset and stressed and I will certainly not have the time to do work, course and building legal experience!

Emily1990_2

sackcloth wrote: »

Having read all the thread, I agree that it's probably best to leave in a professional manner and with your pride and reputation intact. I've had jobs before where I was treated badly but still left with my head held high.

So if you are going to leave, do it quickly and cleanly. Don't ignore it on your CV but chalk it up to experience and make a positive of it when you are interviewed in the future (wasn't what you wanted to do, not quite the right fit etc.) so that any basic reference can be explained. In the meantime, take your lunch break away from your desk (outside if poss) and leave on time whether or not your boss huffs and puffs.

As for the agency, you should go back to them and give them some feedback. I have done this before and they have always been apologetic if things haven't turned out right because ultimately it's in their interest to have a good candidate in the role.

I have to say that the jobs where I have been happiest have been those where there has been a great team atmos and everyone has pulled together. Funny enough, whenever I've taken a job just for the money it's never worked out. I'm in that situation now and hating every minute of it. The recession has made everyone nervous and the bosses are taking advantage of this by paying terrible wages and offering flexible working times which are flexible to them not the worker!

Good luck and I hope you find something more suitable.
Sackcloth.

Thanks for the advice. I will certainly be talking to the agency before quitting; I don't think it's going to look very professional if they suddenly get a phone call from my boss saying I've quit without me even telling them! I'm going to register my interest in temping with that agency and another one I did work for and got very good feedback.

I certainly agree with your last paragraph. During my gap year I worked at the local Co-op-as you can understand, not a job I saw taking me anywhere career wise (menial, monotonous etc) but I did enjoy the job as I was treated well, the manager actually had some empathy, I liked my colleagues and there was a good team atmosphere- everybody did pull together to help each other out. If only I could move those people and managers to my current workplace!

Emily1990_2

andygb wrote: »

Emily,
I assume that you are permanent, because you talk about "agency fees", could you not go to the human resources department of this company (If they have one)? Perhaps they are aware of this manager, and if he/she is treating everyone badly, then that is not good for morale, productivity, or stability within the department. If this happens on a regular basis, then the company can be expected to lose a lot of money in introduction fees.
If you could say something along the lines of - "Well I do like the company, but unfortunately I am criticised constantly by my manager". You could then tell them that you are thinking of looking for another job.
You will have to get a reference out of them when you leave, so tread carefully and bite your tongue.

Andy

Sadly no HR department otherwise I would probably mention something. He is one of the directors along with a few other family members; there's nobody I can really say anything to re: his manner, and I can't really go up to him and basically call him a !!!!!!, lol. I want to be careful in what I say re: my leaving and I think I'm just going to cite 'personal circumstances' and 'not the right job for me following much deliberation'.

I do wonder about introduction fees as I say I get the impression that staff turnover is high there. I also realised today that somebody who has a similar role to me has done the same job for decades and no promotion-pretty much sealed the deal for me!