Walked out on job without notice

CraigD

Does walking out on a job show a lack of character? That is what my boss has accused me of. I walked in Monday morning handed my mobile and keys in on the bosses desk and said I wanted to quit because I didn't feel I was the right person for the job. I had worked there for three months (my probation period).

I was surprised I was offered the job because I said in my first interview that I didn't think I was educated to a high enough understand to cope with the work (it is a subsidiary of an Italian company which produces industrial gearmotors. It has recently been taken over by a Swiss company which manufactures and services conveyor belts). I have a BTEC HND in Electronic Engineering but that is nowhere near Degree standard in my opinion which I would have thought would be a minimum requirement along with some practical experience or knowledge of the industry. I had a second interview with the General Manager who vetoed me as being ok.

So I started the job with some hesitation thinking I had nothing to lose. I cancelled my planned weeks holiday in June because my General Manager said I was booked on a training course for three weeks in Italy within a month of me starting. He then told me he was changing the dates of my training because he wasn't sure when my line manager was going into hospital and I needed to cover his role (he had been with the company for ten years). I wasn't chuffed to say the least but didn't air my opinion because I didn't want to damage my job prospects or incur the expected blunt response from my General Manager (he is a white South African incidentally).

I soon realised I had made a mistake when my questions were answered with this kind of response from my line manager; "well you said you could read engineering drawings in your interview", "when I am going off for my operation you won't have anyone to ask then so you need to stop asking questions and learn from your mistakes", He (the General Manager will be on your back all the time when I am off and you will be dead in the water if you can't cope").

The Area Sales Manager whom I was supporting went off with stress the day after I met him to visit some customers to introduce me to them. My General Manager then told me that I should pick up the ASM work load whilst he was off.

In my probation meeting my General Manager both highlighted my lack of feedback regarding customer visits and not being proacative enough in picking up work for customers in my area. I also was seen to be putting my hands in my pockets and not getting stuck into the job role.

This was affecting my mental health (you will see from my previous posts that I had time off with stress in my previous job and was open and honest in my application for this job that I had suffered with it in the past).

I couldn't handle what I perceived to be constant criticism from my boss and colleagues. I was supposed to work my weeks notice but I walked out immediately. There didn't seem much support from my colleagues so didn't see the point in hanging around.

Any feedback is greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

bebewoo

The job sounds rubbish, so you're probably best to have quit as soon as you did before it had to appear on your CV.

Mrs_Arcanum

Perhaps your (now Ex) boss saw you as someone they could bully and manipulate which is why you were offered the job.

Thankfully you were strong enough to leave in time before your health was severely affected.

InsideInsurance

Whilst a boss may like bullying and manipulating people they do ultimately need people that will do a good job above that. The OP says it is a subsidiary and so not a small isolated company and so his boss will have his own boss who will be demanding that him and his team meet KPIs and objectives. Having a whipping boy who is otherwise useless is not going to be one of them (no reference to the OP).

To the original poster, of cause it shows a terrible lack of character and is a big warning card to any future employer.... you stick it out for 3 months and then cannot do 1 more week to meet your contractual obligations.

In most organisations I have worked with you will not be noted as having resigned but will be sacked for gross miss conduct for not attending your shifts during the week of your notice.

Arthurian

Sometimes people demand the impossible because of failings in their character, not yours. :beer:

ERICS_MUM

You mention similar probs in a previous job. I'm wondering whether you might lack confidence and/or be over-sensitive to things said or done in the work environment ? Your management could be picking up on your reactions which affects their reaction to you. In short a vicious circle.

Would it help you to have some assertivess or team-working training to develop your ability to face up to people/issues in a more positive and effective way.


Good luck, don't let it make your illness worse.


Linda xx

Uncertain

InsideInsurance wrote: »

To the original poster, of cause it shows a terrible lack of character and is a big warning card to any future employer.... you stick it out for 3 months and then cannot do 1 more week to meet your contractual obligations.

In most organisations I have worked with you will not be noted as having resigned but will be sacked for gross miss conduct for not attending your shifts during the week of your notice.

The best answer to this would be for the OP to send a week's notice but to take the week off sick. Although he doesn't technically need a doctor's certificate, give his medical history I'm sure he would have no problem getting one issued.

GothicStirling

Uncertain wrote: »

The best answer to this would be for the OP to send a week's notice but to take the week off sick. Although he doesn't technically need a doctor's certificate, give his medical history I'm sure he would have no problem getting one issued.

To me, this shows lack of character. But walking out, no. At least you're being honest.

McKneff

So if you knew that the job wanst for you and there was no difference between what you felt on the day you walked and the week before why didnt you give your notice the week before and work the week that you did.

Depending on yur circumstances, ie if you have family to support, i dont question yur character, but I would think it is irresponsible.
You did ask,

Hammyman

CraigD wrote: »

Does walking out on a job show a lack of character?

Yes. Shows you as a quitter who takes the easy way out and someone whose word means nothing if you leave without working your notice.

Nothing wrong with leaving a job when you realise its not for you but it is the manner in which you exit which marks you out as a man or a mouse.

If you hand in your notice and work it, you can hold your head up high.

Hammyman

bebewoo wrote: »

The job sounds rubbish, so you're probably best to have quit as soon as you did before it had to appear on your CV.

The job sounds bloody brilliant, something that is multi-discipline engineering that someone can get their teeth into and there aren't that many types of job that come up around here often.