tell me stories

[arksnay]

 I don't think I have ever quit a real (meaning not short-term and understood that people will stay awhile) job for reasons other than relocating or serious conflict. Have you? 

If so, tell me about it. How did you handle making the break? How did your colleagues handle it? It you gave notice, what was the lame duck period like? How did you feel about the decision before and after?

I think the administrators at work are being absolute freaks about my leaving, but I don't know what's normal. Give me a basis for comparison?

Comments

[snarkout-rat.livejournal.com]

Ugh, I'm sorry they're still being such freaks.

I don't really know what's "normal"--I mean, my experiences with this have been all over the map. But what I do know is, employment isn't "till death do us part." A job is a mutual agreement between employer and employee and can be broken at any time if one party feels that the job is no longer meeting their needs, or has found a situation they feel will better meet their needs. The other party may feel like some sort of emotional betrayal has occurred, but it hasn't, even in a job that heavily deals with human relationships and emotional issues.

I've quit 3 "real jobs" in my life. At the first one, quitting was commonplace so no one batted an eye. At the second one, they tried to bully/manipulate me into staying, which only increased my desire to leave. And at the third one (the paper) they gave me a loving sendoff and I've kept in touch with them ever since. I don't count W as a fourth one--that was a misstep, understood as such all around.

It is always a mixed set of emotions that accompanies leaving a job you've had for a long time, but you wouldn't be leaving if you didn't feel it was ultimately the best choice for you. Apart from W, I've never left a job without some feelings of worry and regret, but I think that's also normal and doesn't mean you're wrong to leave.

[arksnay.livejournal.com]

I am almost sure this is the right choice, but I find myself falling for the guilt trips. I sincerely hope that I will be able to manage a positive termination and a relationship with the place afterwards, but current events are making me wonder.

I told our program evaluator I was leaving this afternoon and SHE was absolutely lovely about it.