Love VS. Work

[617529309]

Hi all -

Going to go ahead and put this under a cut because I'm positive it will get lengthy.

Comments

[cosmicwonder]

With regards to your situation, I really think you need to be aware that your boss is probably not going to be happy that you're leaving your job so soon. While I understand your reason for leaving, it's extremely inconvenient for a company to have an employee leave after only 4 months. That means that the hiring manager has to hire someone else, which is no small feat as there are many laws that have to be followed, not to mention the stress of making sure that this person is going to be good at the job. Then this new person has to be trained. It's a huge loss of time and money, and especially for someone in HR, I'm guessing your boss is well aware of this.

While it doesn't hurt to ask whether you can transfer elsewhere, I don't know if your boss will be willing to help because you're leaving so soon. No offense, but I'd be very hesitant to refer someone to a position if I was their supervisor and they had only worked for me for 4 months in a full-time position. I'd be questioning whether they'd leave the next job quickly too, which would be extremely inconvenient for that hiring manager. If you can make a good argument that you would stay at the next job for longer, i.e. 2-3 years, then you should definitely mention that when discussing this.

As for applying for new jobs, I would do this asap. It can take awhile for companies to start interviewing, which means that even if you apply now, you might not be called for an interview for several weeks. Even though the job market has been getting better in the US, I still hear of people taking months to find a new job.

You should give at least 2 weeks notice that you're leaving as this is common courtesy. If you absolutely need the money, I wouldn't give more notice than that. Your boss might just let you go the moment you give notice, which is not uncommon. If you can do without the money, then I'd give them about a month.

[lupinlover]

I think you are underestimating her bosses! She has been singing their praises. I doubt they'd turn on her that quickly (it could happen, but seems unlikely).

Still, OP, you should consider that leaving a job this early might make your boss hesitant to refer you-- but it doesn't hurt to ask. Also if your bosses are as great as you say, I really doubt they will fire you. Two weeks notice is customary, but you might give more if your position is crucial and give them more time to find a replacement since you already know you're planning to leave. This kind of thoughtfulness might help you secure a transfer or at least maybe your boss will give you a recommendation should you apply to the same company in your new town.

Good luck!

[cosmicwonder]

I purposely emphasized in my comment the inconvenience the OP is putting on her boss because from her post, I don't think she realizes it. I think it's important that she keeps this in mind when she talks to her boss and the decisions she makes regarding this situation. Even if her boss doesn't turn on her, it'll probably help when she discusses this with her boss.

[617529309]

I am very well aware of the strain I'm putting on my bosses by doing this. It wasn't as though this was a decision I made lightly. This is why I want to do right by them and give them ample notice. I've held all prior jobs for multiple years except for this one and probably my first job when I was 16.

I do appreciate your other words of advice, however. Thank you.

[617529309]

I really appreciate your advice. I will absolutely keep all of this in mind.

[amymeenieminymo]

IMO if a boss gets hurt that an employee leaves a job quickly, then they are not being very professional. Her leaving has nothing to do with the company. It's not like she is leaving because she just doesn't want to work anymore, or is lazy...she has to live her life and sometimes that includes moving, or quitting for a million other reasons. It's a business and employee turnover is a cost of doing business.

I was at my job for 9 years and was back from maternity leave for two months when I decided to quit and stay home with my daughter. I didn't plan it that way, I never intended to not work, and part of me was sad to quit, but I didn't owe my employer anything more than a two week notice. My daughter, and the OPs move and relationship is more important than a job. Like another poster said, if a company decides, from a business stand point, that they need to lay you off, they would do it without hesitation. Not to say the boss would be happy about it, but they wouldn't keep an employee they cannot afford because they feel bad about laying them off.