Jump or wait to be pushed?
Discussion
Having a difficult time at work.
Been here for just over a year and in the last few months it has been highlighted that my performance is not up to scratch.
This became formal and I'm now in final written warning stage with 4 weeks to prove myself.
I appealed the decision of the last hearing based on what I was being assessed against. They said I had not completed 3 projects to the required std. However, these pieces of work did not comply to the process which would define them as "projects". They were small pieces work requested by (and completed to the satisfaction of) the client.
Appeal turned down.
The whole process has caused me a lot of stress - which I've seen the doctor about and been prescribed sleeping pills.
I also find it difficult to do the work as due to this process I continually second guess myself and rework things several time causing problems with deadlines.
Advice I get on how to improve has been conflicting and confusing leaving my head spinning and almost paralysed when I have to do the work again.
I've lost confidence in my ability which has meant I've turned down second interviews for two jobs where i would have to do some analysis and write a presentation in the interview.
As it happens, actually presenting and the interview doesn't scare me, but the pre-work does.
As it looks unlikely that I'll be able to prove I can do the current job and I don't want to work here anyway, would it be better to resign than wait until they fire me?
Money would be an issue. We can't afford for me to be out of work. But hopefully this would free up time for me to attend interviews and focus on a job search which is nigh on impossible at the moment. (I'm office based and can't take full or half days off at short notice)
Any thoughts?
Been here for just over a year and in the last few months it has been highlighted that my performance is not up to scratch.
This became formal and I'm now in final written warning stage with 4 weeks to prove myself.
I appealed the decision of the last hearing based on what I was being assessed against. They said I had not completed 3 projects to the required std. However, these pieces of work did not comply to the process which would define them as "projects". They were small pieces work requested by (and completed to the satisfaction of) the client.
Appeal turned down.
The whole process has caused me a lot of stress - which I've seen the doctor about and been prescribed sleeping pills.
I also find it difficult to do the work as due to this process I continually second guess myself and rework things several time causing problems with deadlines.
Advice I get on how to improve has been conflicting and confusing leaving my head spinning and almost paralysed when I have to do the work again.
I've lost confidence in my ability which has meant I've turned down second interviews for two jobs where i would have to do some analysis and write a presentation in the interview.
As it happens, actually presenting and the interview doesn't scare me, but the pre-work does.
As it looks unlikely that I'll be able to prove I can do the current job and I don't want to work here anyway, would it be better to resign than wait until they fire me?
Money would be an issue. We can't afford for me to be out of work. But hopefully this would free up time for me to attend interviews and focus on a job search which is nigh on impossible at the moment. (I'm office based and can't take full or half days off at short notice)
Any thoughts?
Edited by Hackney on Thursday 19th July 15:08
Go- its not a place that it suiting either you or them.
its honestly no reflection on you.
but accept it, and move on with good grace and economy. They'll appreciate it , and your life will get less stressful. negotiate a good reference building on your positives, and don't mess them around.
never burn your bridges. Trust me on this one.
its honestly no reflection on you.
but accept it, and move on with good grace and economy. They'll appreciate it , and your life will get less stressful. negotiate a good reference building on your positives, and don't mess them around.
never burn your bridges. Trust me on this one.
Your post suggests evidence of stress that is not good for you, your employer or those close to you. Our health should remain our highest priority which under these circumstances would cause me to leave this role on the best terms as I could. I would be sure that after a short break of say 3 weeks I would be feeling much better assuming no more serious underlying conditions; I would again visit my GP to confirm this.
I would then begin work on my CV and think hard about where I want to be; what roles would suit my core competencies and my temperament, how ambitious I really need to be and what salary would I need to be comfortable in order to enjoy life and have a better work/life balance. If you haven't used one before, it might also be worth receiving some coaching or find a mentor (or both), as these can provide useful support when you need it most. Good luck!
I would then begin work on my CV and think hard about where I want to be; what roles would suit my core competencies and my temperament, how ambitious I really need to be and what salary would I need to be comfortable in order to enjoy life and have a better work/life balance. If you haven't used one before, it might also be worth receiving some coaching or find a mentor (or both), as these can provide useful support when you need it most. Good luck!
Go
Frankly even if you did meet the stds set out the issue you have is you can forget any progression etc and of course you'd bear a grudge against them - rightly or wrongly who knows fact is you would always know your on thin ice.
Spend all this weekend doing nothing but getting your CV in tip top condition. Talk through the problem with your wife partner etc I can understand that it may feel humiliating but a problem shared is such a relief. You are a team to support each other your other half will back you give you advice etc.
Also as soon as you decide what to do the weight lifts from your shoulders and of course if you decide to leave the issue at work goes instantly. You can then relax as really focus on the next road of your career. Do however take this as a learning and draw a line under it.
So you will certainly need to have a valid reason as to why you decided to leave without a job to go to as it is a question you will certainly be asked so think hard about a good viable answer rehearse it test it on your other half to ensure its a solid answer and also say it to your friends too it's valuable advice - they may tell you it's weak so use that and revisit
Frankly even if you did meet the stds set out the issue you have is you can forget any progression etc and of course you'd bear a grudge against them - rightly or wrongly who knows fact is you would always know your on thin ice.
Spend all this weekend doing nothing but getting your CV in tip top condition. Talk through the problem with your wife partner etc I can understand that it may feel humiliating but a problem shared is such a relief. You are a team to support each other your other half will back you give you advice etc.
Also as soon as you decide what to do the weight lifts from your shoulders and of course if you decide to leave the issue at work goes instantly. You can then relax as really focus on the next road of your career. Do however take this as a learning and draw a line under it.
So you will certainly need to have a valid reason as to why you decided to leave without a job to go to as it is a question you will certainly be asked so think hard about a good viable answer rehearse it test it on your other half to ensure its a solid answer and also say it to your friends too it's valuable advice - they may tell you it's weak so use that and revisit
The biggest thing to focus on is your health, dont take the issues at work personally sometimes we just dont fit in certain companies or roles.
Ive been there, worked for a big american company for 11 years, did very well, got brilliant annual reviews etc, decided to leave to further career, move was a massive mistake, new job was awful, i struggled, convinced myself i was no good etc, had a poor relationship with my boss. After 6 months handed notice in without a job to go to, found one within a week. Anyway confidence came back and 18 months later have been headhunted by the american firm i worked for originally start back there in 3 weeks.
Dont be downhearted, move on, regain confidence and you will find a new job that works for you.
Ive been there, worked for a big american company for 11 years, did very well, got brilliant annual reviews etc, decided to leave to further career, move was a massive mistake, new job was awful, i struggled, convinced myself i was no good etc, had a poor relationship with my boss. After 6 months handed notice in without a job to go to, found one within a week. Anyway confidence came back and 18 months later have been headhunted by the american firm i worked for originally start back there in 3 weeks.
Dont be downhearted, move on, regain confidence and you will find a new job that works for you.
Leave.
I went through a bad patch at my last company. Been there years, got great reviews etc, yet kept getting shat on every now and then. It wore me down and I became depressed (i didn't realise it at the time). I just became lethargic and just ticked over for about a year. Work was fine, but doing anything at home seemed to take a massive effort.
I then decided to change things. Then next time I got shat on (boss decided he was going to move me into software support, even though one of my previous roles was as the support manager). I used this to lever a compromise agreement where I would complete the current (multi million) project, then go with a small pay off to cover a few months out of work.
My whole outlook changed overnight, and I was back to my old self.
I decided to go contracting so that I was just paid to deliver. I picked up a contract 6 months ago (was actually offered 2) and have never been happier.
I went through a bad patch at my last company. Been there years, got great reviews etc, yet kept getting shat on every now and then. It wore me down and I became depressed (i didn't realise it at the time). I just became lethargic and just ticked over for about a year. Work was fine, but doing anything at home seemed to take a massive effort.
I then decided to change things. Then next time I got shat on (boss decided he was going to move me into software support, even though one of my previous roles was as the support manager). I used this to lever a compromise agreement where I would complete the current (multi million) project, then go with a small pay off to cover a few months out of work.
My whole outlook changed overnight, and I was back to my old self.
I decided to go contracting so that I was just paid to deliver. I picked up a contract 6 months ago (was actually offered 2) and have never been happier.
Thanks for the advice, really helpful.
I handed my notice in yesterday. And the proverbial weight has lifted from my shoulders.
I've worked on my cv and been more pro-active with job search. I was already in monster and totaljobs but will be more active in both.
One of the problems I had - I was already looking for a job elsewhere - was attending interviews. So i told the couple of recruiters I spoke to yesterday that this was part of the reason. I'd actually had to cancel a second interview because my current employer had mixed up on holidays and wouldn't give me time off and there was no chance to reschedule. The conversation I had yesterday included confirmation that they would give me some flexibility to attend interviews.
No doubt there will be more meetings with boss and hr to confirm details. And I will try to negotiate a positive reference from them. In a way I hope they offer to pay me off but it's not the end of the world if not.
I specifically said I'm willing to work my notice and give a full handover to my colleagues. At the end of the day I will need the money so can't afford to just walk away even if they'd let me.
We've discussed what I need to earn to break even so if nothing comes up in the next month I'll go to plan B which will mean taking anything - delivery driver, bar / cafe work, labourer etc what ever it takes to hit the minimum take home per month we need.
Liberating but worrying at the same time.
I handed my notice in yesterday. And the proverbial weight has lifted from my shoulders.
I've worked on my cv and been more pro-active with job search. I was already in monster and totaljobs but will be more active in both.
One of the problems I had - I was already looking for a job elsewhere - was attending interviews. So i told the couple of recruiters I spoke to yesterday that this was part of the reason. I'd actually had to cancel a second interview because my current employer had mixed up on holidays and wouldn't give me time off and there was no chance to reschedule. The conversation I had yesterday included confirmation that they would give me some flexibility to attend interviews.
No doubt there will be more meetings with boss and hr to confirm details. And I will try to negotiate a positive reference from them. In a way I hope they offer to pay me off but it's not the end of the world if not.
I specifically said I'm willing to work my notice and give a full handover to my colleagues. At the end of the day I will need the money so can't afford to just walk away even if they'd let me.
We've discussed what I need to earn to break even so if nothing comes up in the next month I'll go to plan B which will mean taking anything - delivery driver, bar / cafe work, labourer etc what ever it takes to hit the minimum take home per month we need.
Liberating but worrying at the same time.
Whoops!! Too late. I was going to say you should not hand in your notice until you have a new role lined up especially in this market. The problem with being unemployed and looking for a job is that any future employers hold all the cards and you do not have a position to negotiate from. This is coming from someone who employs a large number of people.
By handing in your notice you have jumped from one stressful situation into another as you now have time working against you too find a job before your notice runs out.
Now too the positives. Don’t relie on anyone but yourself to get a new role. Formulate a plan, visualize what you want to do and research those companies that would employ someone like you.
Do not relie on jobs adverts, a number of roles exist that are never advertised. Submit CV's to companies that you would like to work for; you may find that on seeing your CV a role might be created that never existed before. Do your best to target a decision maker, try to avoid HR if you can
Anyway good luck and keep us posted
By handing in your notice you have jumped from one stressful situation into another as you now have time working against you too find a job before your notice runs out.
Now too the positives. Don’t relie on anyone but yourself to get a new role. Formulate a plan, visualize what you want to do and research those companies that would employ someone like you.
Do not relie on jobs adverts, a number of roles exist that are never advertised. Submit CV's to companies that you would like to work for; you may find that on seeing your CV a role might be created that never existed before. Do your best to target a decision maker, try to avoid HR if you can
Anyway good luck and keep us posted
Welshbeef said:
Keep positive focus on what you need to do and something will happen.
The stress relief is so beneficial.
It happens that the company and an employee just don't gel. Nothing bad about that it is what it is.
Good luck and let us know when you land back on your feet.
This. I chucked my job last week with nothing to go to although I've been a freelancer until recently so don't find it quite so scary.The stress relief is so beneficial.
It happens that the company and an employee just don't gel. Nothing bad about that it is what it is.
Good luck and let us know when you land back on your feet.
Consider contract / freelance work - a lot of it about at the moment with the economy the way it is.
Its really easy setting up a company and running it - don't be daunted it's a lot easier than being a Project Manager! PM if you need any more info.
Well, today was my last day.
On Wednesday my boss came back to me and they've agreed to paid me for my notice period.
I left today with as much security as I could have got from the situation (my notice paid) and the freedom to look for something else / attend interviews / go and ride my bike / watch the olympics.
Given the potential for this situation I couldn't be happier. Yes there's the worry about my next job but the weight off my shoulders of the current job is amazing.
On Wednesday my boss came back to me and they've agreed to paid me for my notice period.
I left today with as much security as I could have got from the situation (my notice paid) and the freedom to look for something else / attend interviews / go and ride my bike / watch the olympics.
Given the potential for this situation I couldn't be happier. Yes there's the worry about my next job but the weight off my shoulders of the current job is amazing.
Great result ( and one I thought might happen but couldn't bank on it).
If you now find another job quickly then you will have received a very nice bonus...
Make sure you have things planned out be focused and when interviews come up seriously spend a solid day studying the company the job spec and matching your relevant skills to the role. Make sure you can also reel off answers to the usual interview questions ie tell me about a challenging time at work , tll me about a time when you faced conflict, how would you deal with x , what would you bring to this company.
Etc etc. there are many google searches which will give you big lists of questions you have time now these should be parrot fashion.
Also don't kill yourself looking for a job you really need to blend highly focused search and prep time with time out having fun doing things those breaks are key.
Finally when you do get the offer for the next role think about start dates. It can be a good idea to take two weeks out a good holiday (as you will not have another for some time 6 months plus) and you can totally relax and then hit the ground running when you join the new company.
Of course cash in the bank may be more important but think about it (I went for double bubble - partly as the handover had a strict deadline as he was leaving the country so I thought best get the quality handover and dubbed bubble was purely the output of that - also id had a good holiday a month earlier anyway so didn't want to take the oiss too much.
Anyway congrats and don't get worried stay focused. Be aware August (job sector dependant) is generally a quiet month and sept vacancies step up hugely so it may be an option to go on holiday now. Though without a job to go to I'd recommend no spending over and above the usual.
Good luck and keep us posted
If you now find another job quickly then you will have received a very nice bonus...
Make sure you have things planned out be focused and when interviews come up seriously spend a solid day studying the company the job spec and matching your relevant skills to the role. Make sure you can also reel off answers to the usual interview questions ie tell me about a challenging time at work , tll me about a time when you faced conflict, how would you deal with x , what would you bring to this company.
Etc etc. there are many google searches which will give you big lists of questions you have time now these should be parrot fashion.
Also don't kill yourself looking for a job you really need to blend highly focused search and prep time with time out having fun doing things those breaks are key.
Finally when you do get the offer for the next role think about start dates. It can be a good idea to take two weeks out a good holiday (as you will not have another for some time 6 months plus) and you can totally relax and then hit the ground running when you join the new company.
Of course cash in the bank may be more important but think about it (I went for double bubble - partly as the handover had a strict deadline as he was leaving the country so I thought best get the quality handover and dubbed bubble was purely the output of that - also id had a good holiday a month earlier anyway so didn't want to take the oiss too much.
Anyway congrats and don't get worried stay focused. Be aware August (job sector dependant) is generally a quiet month and sept vacancies step up hugely so it may be an option to go on holiday now. Though without a job to go to I'd recommend no spending over and above the usual.
Good luck and keep us posted
Hackney said:
Well, today was my last day.
On Wednesday my boss came back to me and they've agreed to paid me for my notice period.
I left today with as much security as I could have got from the situation (my notice paid) and the freedom to look for something else / attend interviews / go and ride my bike / watch the olympics.
Given the potential for this situation I couldn't be happier. Yes there's the worry about my next job but the weight off my shoulders of the current job is amazing.
Some good news at last, good luck with the job hunt.On Wednesday my boss came back to me and they've agreed to paid me for my notice period.
I left today with as much security as I could have got from the situation (my notice paid) and the freedom to look for something else / attend interviews / go and ride my bike / watch the olympics.
Given the potential for this situation I couldn't be happier. Yes there's the worry about my next job but the weight off my shoulders of the current job is amazing.
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