Work troubles - leave or stay?

[LazyDaisy]

Ok, so I have had a few troubles at work lately. I have a couple of threads about them:

 

1. I changed hours without asking my immediate supervisor first, she has been giving me a hard time, even after I apologized for not asking her first. She keeps scheduling late meetings even though I come in early so I can leave at 4:30.

 

2. I have to fly for my job and me and my boss's boss, had a tiff about it last week. He threw me out of his office last week. We talked yesterday - he let me know he was not happy with me and that my not flying is posing a big problem for him. I think he was ready to fire me, but the only other person in the company that knows the job handed in his resignation on Monday. I promised him I would see a dr about my fear and then we can talk again. After that HR scheduled a meeting with me for Thursday. Not sure what this is about, maybe to just get a summary of what happened.

 

3. The people that I oversee are doing a horrible job. I have been working with them for 6 years, but they have had a lot of turnover so the team is all new. I am losing my patience after having to explain the same thing over and over for 6 years. I know its not all their fault and I am trying to be more understanding.

 

I used to like my job, now with all the issues, I dread going into the office. I am getting more and more depressed by the day. I feel like I am wasting my life doing something I don't enjoy. A part of me wants them to fire me, so that I can collect unemployment and find something I enjoy. I want to open my own business, but I am scared to death. I'm afraid I won't make enough money to live on or that my business will fail entirely. I have spoken to my family about it and they are being really supportive - they said they will help me out. I have started to do some research, I was thinking about a franchise at first, but I think I would like to start my own, so I can do it the way I want. I have an accounting degree, so I think I will be ok with the financial aspects, the books, insurance, zoning etc.

 

Has anyone on here made that leap and quit working for others to open their own business? How do you get over the insecurities?

[abitbroken]

1. Yes, it was a huge mistake to just change your hours without telling your supervisor. I can imagine they would wonder who you think you are. Why wouldn't you talk to your boss? Also, is there a legitimate reason for you not to come in during your normal hours?

 

2. have you just developed a fear of flying recently or have you always had it and never flew until forced? If you were always afraid of flying you should not have taken the job in the first place, but being as it may, I would talk to someone about your fears, esp if they came on suddenly.

 

3. If the people you supervise do a horrible job, why not mentor them? You can't expect them to do a good job if left to their own devices with no direction. Instead of explaining things over and over, why not have a training session as a review. I know that when i have been thrown in to an established team, it was easier when we went back to square one to make sure everyone got it rather than being treated like I should know everything. If there was a lot of turnover, than its the perfect segue to having training or a team building activity to make the team cohesive and to work like a well oiled machine. If you can't manage them, ask advice from a mentor.

 

I understand that you are frustrated, but if you just walk out, its not going to help when you need references and furthermore, if you expect to open your own business, you can't quit. If the going gets tough with your own business, if you walk away, or decide you are not going to talk to that client, your business can fold. You have to work smart and hard if you work for yourself. You have to develop a thicker skin. Not once in this post have I read what your dream of doing was, and you were looking for a way to make it happen. Rather, you are sick of your job and working for yourself is seen as a solution to not having a boss. I really encourage you to follow through and resolve some of these issues. Apologize to your supervisor and go in when you are supposed to unless you have a really really good reason to do different. Admit your oversight. That goes a long way into mending the relationship.

 

I think that if you can hold on to you job and leave on your own when you are ready and leave at the top with good feelings/good references it will build your character.

[LazyDaisy]

I wouldn't walk out on my own business. Thats the whole thing, I am killing myself working around the clock for someone else. I would much rather do this for myself.

[catcountry]

LazyD....I completely understand where you are coming from. Our situations are the same....but different. I realize that my employer doesn't give a crap about me and quite frankly, I'm at the point that I don't give a crap about them. If it were just me, I'd have been gone a while ago but because I am a single mom I've stuck with it. I just took my last vacation days to really think things through. I have no grand solution to offer but know you are not the only one going through a tough time. I wish you the best with whatever happens. Love & hugs to you and your baby!

[catcountry]

PS...read your other thread before this one.

[LazyDaisy]

LazyD....I completely understand where you are coming from. Our situations are the same....but different. I realize that my employer doesn't give a crap about me and quite frankly, I'm at the point that I don't give a crap about them. If it were just me, I'd have been gone a while ago but because I am a single mom I've stuck with it. I just took my last vacation days to really think things through. I have no grand solution to offer but know you are not the only one going through a tough time. I wish you the best with whatever happens. Love & hugs to you and your baby!

 

Thanks for letting me know that I am not alone. This has been so stressful. My BF of 5 years has walked out on me yet again. He picked a fight with me on Sat and I have not seen or heard from him since. I am so upset that the would do something like that at a time when I am under so much stress already. I talked to my HR dept today. She let it slip that they have consulted legal counsel. I guess they are trying to see if they can fire someone with a phobia. So I know that my days are limited here. I know I will find something else, it is just going to take some time.

[Ariel85]

Thanks for letting me know that I am not alone. This has been so stressful. My BF of 5 years has walked out on me yet again. He picked a fight with me on Sat and I have not seen or heard from him since. I am so upset that the would do something like that at a time when I am under so much stress already. I talked to my HR dept today. She let it slip that they have consulted legal counsel. I guess they are trying to see if they can fire someone with a phobia. So I know that my days are limited here. I know I will find something else, it is just going to take some time.

 

WOW! Things are just spiraling in the wrong direction for you. It's amazing when one bad thing happens, how others just follow in spades...

 

I think if HR told you they're seeking legal counsel, then there's your sign that the end is near.

 

To answer your question - both myself and my first ex left very lucrative high-level corporate jobs from Fortune 50's to start our own companies. He did a lot better than I did initially, as he took his former company as his first client. My company didn't allow that...so, it was harder for me at first.

 

BUT, here's my feeling on going out on your own. If you put 100% into it, which you need to at a minimum, then it simply can't fail. If you put enough of your energy, talent and networking into it, then you'll be successful.

 

If I were you, I'd be spending my days right now grabbing as much as you can from this job - whether templates you've created, files, contacts, etc. When they fire you, they generally walk you right out the door, and you won't have access to your computer. So, be prepared for that. I'd start ramping up thinking of a name, buy a url for your website, and really start working towards being independent.

[LazyDaisy]

Yes, I know the end is near. I would start a business doing something completely different - so I wouldn't need anything at all from here. All I want from here is severance.

 

And its so true. When one bad thing happens everything else seems to go down hill as well. Usually when my BF pulls this stuff I get so upset. But right now I am concentrating on me and my career, so I'm not even upset about him. Its sort of a relief that he is out of the picture right now. I need all my energy for me and for my son.

 

Thanks for the inspiration! I hope your business does very well.

[Ariel85]

Yes, I know the end is near. I would start a business doing something completely different - so I wouldn't need anything at all from here. All I want from here is severance.

 

And its so true. When one bad thing happens everything else seems to go down hill as well. Usually when my BF pulls this stuff I get so upset. But right now I am concentrating on me and my career, so I'm not even upset about him. Its sort of a relief that he is out of the picture right now. I need all my energy for me and for my son.

 

Thanks for the inspiration! I hope your business does very well.

 

Oh, OK. Well, if they start threatening legal action, etc., I would threaten back and say for the right severance, you'll be happy to part company and not pursue things further. I suspect they'll offer you a nice package anyhow.

 

And something new? Probably a good idea, since you have to be burnt out by all of this.

 

And...keep in mind, the converse works, too. When one bad thing happens, others follow, but same holds true for good things. So, once you change your path, things will fall into place. I think sometimes when repeated misfortune happens, it's because we're not getting the message to make some changes...

 

Yeah, I can't complain, thanks! But again, if you put enough of yourself into it, you won't fail.

 

Keep moving forward to the new venture, though. Think of a name, make sure no one else is using it - lol, buy the domain, start working on a website/logo/business cards - all the fun busy marketing stuff, and then you'll be ready to launch when things end here.

[DylanNotorious]

Wow! I'm really sorry to hear of your troubles. I was always a big supporter for you in your last thread.

 

I dunno why they are doing this to you. It's really a shame and really not fair. But I have pure faith in you that you would do excellent in running your own business!

[Ariel85]

Wow! I'm really sorry to hear of your troubles. I was always a big supporter for you in your last thread.

 

I dunno why they are doing this to you. It's really a shame and really not fair. But I have pure faith in you that you would do excellent in running your own business!

 

See, Daisy? Dylan will buy your stuff!

[LazyDaisy]

Thanks guys! And I think you are right, I have to get off this current path and start new and good things will happen for sure!

[Stay_home]

Ok, so I have had a few troubles at work lately. I have a couple of threads about them:

 

1. I changed hours without asking my immediate supervisor first, she has been giving me a hard time, even after I apologized for not asking her first. She keeps scheduling late meetings even though I come in early so I can leave at 4:30.

 

Was there any reason why you went ahead and scheduled the change of hours before notifying her first? I understand that you apologized for doing that, but understand how that may have screwed your supervisor over. With you changing schedules that may infact interfere with production and in turn screw other people over who have to pick up after you, after the sudden change in schedule.

 

 

 

2. I have to fly for my job and me and my boss's boss, had a tiff about it last week. He threw me out of his office last week. We talked yesterday - he let me know he was not happy with me and that my not flying is posing a big problem for him. I think he was ready to fire me, but the only other person in the company that knows the job handed in his resignation on Monday. I promised him I would see a dr about my fear and then we can talk again. After that HR scheduled a meeting with me for Thursday. Not sure what this is about, maybe to just get a summary of what happened.

 

Question. Did you know beforehand that you would be flying when you took this position? Or has the flying been something very recently added into the mix. If it was just added all of a sudden then I could understand where you are coming from. If that wasn't a required job function and now all of a sudden it is, then they can't be pissed at you for not flying when you had no idea that you would have to fly in this position. If you knew beforehand, then I can understand your boss's frustration because you knew in this job that you would have to fly.

 

3. The people that I oversee are doing a horrible job. I have been working with them for 6 years, but they have had a lot of turnover so the team is all new. I am losing my patience after having to explain the same thing over and over for 6 years. I know its not all their fault and I am trying to be more understanding. I used to like my job, now with all the issues, I dread going into the office. I am getting more and more depressed by the day. I feel like I am wasting my life doing something I don't enjoy. A part of me wants them to fire me, so that I can collect unemployment and find something I enjoy. I want to open my own business, but I am scared to death. I'm afraid I won't make enough money to live on or that my business will fail entirely. I have spoken to my family about it and they are being really supportive - they said they will help me out. I have started to do some research, I was thinking about a franchise at first, but I think I would like to start my own, so I can do it the way I want. I have an accounting degree, so I think I will be ok with the financial aspects, the books, insurance, zoning etc. [/Quote]

 

I wouldn't recommend leaving just yet. I see your from Jersey, I'm from the east coast too (parts unknown). But I say that to say that it's about to get cold outside. Some might argue what does being cold have to do with anything, trust me, it has A LOT to do with it. The holiday season is coming upon us, stay in your job and finish the year out. Save up some money if you do absolutely have no choice but to leave or if unfortunately you get laid off. Personally, I would try to stick it out a little while longer before leaving; try to gather up as much money as I can.

 

 

 

Has anyone on here made that leap and quit working for others to open their own business? How do you get over the insecurities?

[LazyDaisy]

The hours - we are allowed to work whatever hours we want. She keeps a spreadsheet on a shared drive. I went in and changed my hours and then sent an e mail letting everyone know. There are 60 people in this department and they all work something different. Some are even located in europe so they work completely different schedules. I have no idea why she only had a problem with my hours and doesn't care what hours anyone else works.

 

I have been in this position for 6 years. No one said anything about flying when I was hired. Its just coming up. Their response was that the job has evolved. HR said the entire company has evolved into a global environment so all employees can be expected to fly.

 

And yes, I am not going to just walk out. I will wait to be fired and I will get severance and unemployment. I am looking for another office job, but if that doesn't work out I want to open my own business. I have a years salary in my savings.

[wiseoldwoman]

It doesn't sound as though this job and you are a good match, so it seems clear it's time for you to move on, one way or another. Getting a heads up that it will likely be taken out of your hands gives you a good opportunity to prepare yourself.

 

I have both bought and started my own businesses and I will tell you, it is not easy. It looks much easier than it is. There are so many issues to deal with that you don't think about ahead of time and the financial pressure is immense. What before seemed like a lot of money for a year can disappear in a matter of a month, depending upon the business. You have to give it your all, and then there's no guarantee. So don't assume that because you have a certain skill set, you'll be successful. Talk to others who have started businesses in the same field you're considering and find out what it was like for them. You might well receive unemployment or get a severance package, but that's a temporary help and it generally takes longer than that would last to become profitable. So you need to have substantial financial backing.

 

You might want to be considering looking for another job while you're still employed, rather than waiting until you're fired or you quit. Right now, many employers are not even looking at resumes of those not currently employed. Your chances of finding other employment are way higher if you do it while you still have another job.

[LazyDaisy]

Yes, I have already started looking. I have applied to over 50 positions. I have received a few calls back but no interviews yet.

 

This job and I are a perfect match. I know this process better than anyone - I have been the manager for 6 years and worked in the department for 4. There is no question I can't answer, no problem I can't fix. What has happened is that they outsourced the work - the outsources are having problems and they want me to fly to Manila to retrain them. I don't see why I can't do this over the phone. When and if I leave, they will be in a mess of trouble because no one else has my knowledge. They know this - which is why I'm sure I haven't been let go already. They are trying to figure out their options.

[SnowFox]

link removed that gets quite good reviews - about the process of leaving a job to open your own business- might be worth a read.

[LazyDaisy]

link removed that gets quite good reviews - about the process of leaving a job to open your own business- might be worth a read.

 

Thanks snowfox I will read it. I'm already starting to get some responses to my resumes, so maybe it won't come down to having to open my own business. I may get out of here for something better after all. I have faith that everything will work out in the end for me and my little one!