Want out of my job, best way forward?

Supernaut

I've been with the company since last November. Have been getting more and more stressed by the day with my role, i can't stand the sales environment and desperately wanted to search for something else, so following a doctors appointment who advised me to take 2 weeks sick leave i've been off since yesterday. I made a bit of a pigs ear of it though, i phoned my area manager in the morning to tell him this and that i won't be in for the forseeable and made the silly mistake of coming in for a chat to see what can be done to help my situation. During the meeting i basically told him i'm not happy with where i am, he agreed to give me help with finding a new role (letting me out for "appointments" etc) discreetly and informed the big boss that i was looking for something new. i kinda realised that I messed up my plan to take leave to find something else, and decided to say that i did need that sick leave as I've a lot of personal stuff to deal with. Manager again seemed understanding and I left mid-day. Their anticipating that I'm off for 2 weeks.

Now I'm currently searching for work and have an interview set up by an agency tomorrow morning. They've implied that they will seek start and end dates of employment from my recent referees.

I'm wondering if i should just give my notice with immediate effect as from now and get it over with, or stay off sick and risk the agency trying to get a reference from my manager and end up asking about absence, which manager would then say i've been off since wednesday, potentially due to stress, which would obv hamper my chances of getting the new role. then at the same time i've also got to have the awkward conversation on the phone of i won't be returning as i've found a new job. however i don't think the agency would seek out this info specifically, but theres a chance.

I'm considering just giving my notice at this stage as i really doubt i'll be back to the organization, given the way things have went.

in short, i've made a real mess of this situation and am wondering what my next steps should be.

any advice would be appreciated

[Deleted User]

I wonder if you should see how the interview pans out first before worrying to much.

Other jobs are always out there. Sometimes you get the job that you decide to jump ship for, sometimes you don't which is why I'd delay deciding until after the interview.

Ja7188

Most of make wrong career moves at some point - don't worry too much!

Since your current employer seems happy to let you head out for interviews etc. (which I find quite surprising), you should probably make the most of this and secure a new role before resigning.

AstroTurtle

Seems like your employer has been reasonable and fair with you if they offered to give you time for interviews etc.


They wont go into so much detail as to absences unless requested by the new employer.


Most references these days consist of "Start Date: End Date:"


If you have zero intention of staying and feel confident you'll have another job soon then you can just hand in your notice of resignation to your current employer and focus on finding something new.

steampowered

So, you tried to take 2 weeks sick leave without being sick, because you wanted to use the time to search for another job. Did I read that right?

You are claiming to be sick when you aren't. It is extremely unreasonable to expect the employer to pay you for those 2 weeks.

Going off sick because you are searching for another job is poor behaviour in my book. It sounds like you taking the mickey - your manager has already implied he'd be understanding if you need to go to interviews which is extremely generous. If I was the boss I'd be giving you a stinking reference.

If you have made a firm decision to leave: hand in your notice, thank the employer for the opportunity and offer to work your notice period. They may agree to let you go immediately but that would have to be agreed by both sides. That is how you get a good reference.