Should I Leave My Job Before They Terminate Me

Motley Crue

6 months ago I began a job, as a stopgap really, just to tide myself over and make sure the rent was payed. It was a retail position and, as usual, I was on a contractual probation for the first 24 weeks of my employment. Now that this is almost finished (in the next fortnight) I have noticed that a few of the Christmas temps, and myself, have been removed in advance from the roster for January while some other people in the same position as myself - that is, people who started at the same time as me - will be remaining.

No one in the company has said anything to me about this and as far as I am aware I am still on probation and they have yet to decide whom, from a collection of staff, will remain after Christmas.

Its not bad news, because yesterday I was offered a position with my dream job. Really, for my time of life and my position, this job could not be more perfect. This job has no relation to my current job, its not even in the same Industry, and I did not even put down that I worked in my current position when applying for this job (as unrelated as they were, although I did mention that I was working there briefly in the interview)

Here's the interesting part, because when I leave my current job I will be more or less starting my new job full time, and I am wondering whether I should quit this first job before they get the chance to terminate my contract officially. It would basically be an oppurtunity to say to them that I don't care whether they keep me or not as I am leaving anyway and remove the chance for them to tell me they will not be taking my contract further.

If I say nothing I could be simply informed that on Dec 21st I will not be asked back next weekend and, even though they don't need to give me notice, that just doesn't feel right. Attempting to approach the boss in this job is very hard, especially given the nature of the work and the time of year, so a one to one chat might not be possible.

Besides, this kind of talk may just lead to the inevitable, and I might be so upset about their obvious lack of compassion in letting people go after Christmas (I was not hired as a Christmas Temp but I am being treated like one) I might say something I would regret.

What should I do?

mikemac

Do not assume anything.
You can't 100% know if you are going to be let go just by looking at a roster.
It could have been an oversight.
Even if it's 99% certain you'll be let go, you don't know for sure

I think you should leave for your new job since you are so keen on it.
But leave on good terms, you never know if you'll need a reference in future.

Forget compassion and don't make a speech when leaving.
A company's first responsibility is to its shareholders and this may mean letting staff go after Christmas. If you were a manager you'd do the same and tbh, your manager is probably taking instruction from someone else

LegacyUser

Not seeing the issue here. They no longer need you (not unusual in the current economic climate, it's probably nothing personal), and you no longer need them. By all means hand in your notice if it means that much to you on principle, but I don't see what you'd achieve by making a big song and dance about it - especially since you'll probably have to work at least a week or so notice.

tbh

don't burn your bridges before you cross them.

chops1990

Just take your dream job position in case they change their mind about the offer

Motley Crue

chops1990 wrote: »

Just take your dream job position in case they change their mind about the offer

i have already taken it

KamiKazi

The Real Question Is Should You Start Every Word With A Capital Letter Before We Terminate YOU

samhail

i jumped to a conclusion before i tried to read your post.
If you are going to be getting terminated (as in fired for bad work) then i would leave before that comes. so you can say on your CV that you left that job because..., rather than being fired.

If you are only contracted in for 28 weeks (rather than 28 week probation on a full time job) then you dont need to give notice. could say it to someone just to let them know you are going for a better job.

if its 28wk probationon a full time job, take a look at your contract. hmmmm hopefully i read ur post correctly

BroomBurner

Don't quit your current job, just stay there until your new one starts, or until they actually do say that you're being let go. It's important that no matter what kind of job you have, you maintain professionalism throughout. I got the impression that you just want to make the first hit, so to speak, so that they don't get one up on you (please correct me if I'm wrong). Ignore that impulse for two reasons:

1. Future employers may ask about that gap on your cv, best to be able to say that you were let go due to over staffing than that you walked out (shows you're a quitter, even if you aren't)

2. You may be wrong, they may have thought you were a temp by mistake, HR people always make mistakes like that, and if something goes wrong with your dream job, it would be unwise to not have something on the backburner.

Congratulations, btw, on your new job!

~nop~

Just tell them that you're after finding a new job, so you're not looking for your contract to be renewed. Better them knowing incase they actually did intend to keep you on, but keep it professional!

SweetChilli

Hmmmmmmmm I don't really see a problem here. You have been offered your dream job and have accepted... Now, all you have to do is resign from your current post. It's an everyday occurence, at least it use to be....... Just tell your boss you've been offered a fantastic opportunity and thanks for the past 6mths... Don't say anything about you thinking they might let you go........

Congrats on the job and best of luck with it...

Agent J

Im going to add to the chorus here..

Where is the problem?

Your new job starts asap right? So there is no time gap.

Is it just you want to jump before they can push you?

Assuming you have no intention of needing a reference from your current job you can just not show up and who cares what they think.

Good luck. Lot of people cant get a job at the moment so make the most of your new one.

Zaph

People quit their jobs all the time, in the last few months I've lost two members of staff who decided that they wanted to pursue different career paths. I don't see what the issue is here, you have your dream job lined up and you're worried about packing in a job that you only have a temporary contract for. Unless the extra few quid is an issue, if I was in your position I'd be tempted to hand in my notice now and leave in a week's time so you could enjoy a proper break over Christmas before starting your new job. As for the previous comment about employers asking about a gap in your employement, it's only going to be a couple of weeks at most, so it's completely irrelevant. Most people take a break between jobs if they can these days, because generally they know that they'll have little opportunity to take holidays in the first 6 months or so of their new job.

Best of luck with the job btw.

Also Starring LeVar Burton

Resign. If you've got another job, why would you bother staying on?
Dunno what your situation is, but if the management are treating you like s**t, just stop showing up, don't even bother with notice - although that should only be if you really can't stand the place.
I was working in Dunnes once - got a call on my lunch break saying I'd got a new job in a place much closer to my house and for better money and said they needed me to start asap. I told them I'd be in first thing the next morning.
I didn't even bother finishing my shift, just told two of the lads I was mates with, that I got the job I wanted and that I was leaving straight away. Walked out of the place, without saying anything to anyone in management - basically because they treated the employee's very badly and I felt I didn't owe them anything. They never even rang asking for the uniform or locker key back - I could've been in a serious accident for all they knew and not even a phone call wondering where I was.
In retrospect, though, I should've said goodbye to the hot Polish girl and gotten her number... but, that was my only regret.

Chinafoot

Motley Crue wrote: »

I have noticed that a few of the Christmas temps, and myself, have been removed in advance from the roster for January while some other people in the same position as myself - that is, people who started at the same time as me - will be remaining.

....

I am wondering whether I should quit this first job before they get the chance to terminate my contract officially. It would basically be an oppurtunity to say to them that I don't care whether they keep me or not as I am leaving anyway and remove the chance for them to tell me they will not be taking my contract further.

If I say nothing I could be simply informed that on Dec 21st I will not be asked back next weekend and, even though they don't need to give me notice, that just doesn't feel right.

Maybe I'm wrong but all of the above really just sounds like your ego is bruised at the possibilty that you won't be kept on, and you want to get some sort of upper-hand by telling them you quit before they "get the chance" to let you go.

What does it matter? You were hired on a 6 month contract. People are losing their jobs daily and you have since landed what you call your dream job. Why would you be so petty as to feel the need to get in there first. It's a bit childish in fairness.

When you have a start date for your new job, hand in your notice. Simple.

Pub07

You've a 6 month contract that is almost up and they are not gonna renew it and you don't want them to anyway. What exactly is the issue?

blackbird98

simple solution - you've already accepted the new position - so type a letter of resignation, giving notice up to the week pior to starting the new job, and hand it to whoever pays your wages - financial controller etc.

don't forget to thank them for the opportunity and the pleasure of working with them and your colleagues.

that way, they will realise that you are a genuine person, and should things not work out for you, you may have the option of returning ther.

don't see the problem really.

best of luck in your new position

CavanGal

Op I reccomend you hand in your notice in a professional manner and leave your job on a good note. I have been to two job interviews before where the company wanted contact details for every job Id ever had, including those I had while in America on a J1. Be careful as you never know when you might need a good reference from these people.

SpookyDoll

It would basically be an oppurtunity to say to them that I don't care whether they keep me or not as I am leaving anyway and remove the chance for them to tell me they will not be taking my contract further.

No offence OP, but you are taking this all way to personally. The company doesnt care whether you leave or not -your ego means nothing to them!!!

their obvious lack of compassion in letting people go after Christmas

Compassion? ROFL......Are you for real, its a BUSINESS...they are there to turn a profit not dole out cuddles to the staff !!!

LegacyUser

Unless your really stuck up for money, and need the job, and are 100% sure of your job, I would show them who is boss and leave..

What have you got to loose, nothing!!What have you got to gain - Satisfaction..

You are just small fry to them, a number..There not going to care either way.. I would try and get the upper hand..

SpookyDoll

I would show them who is boss and leave..

Yeh, that'll really stick it to the man! Not! ...like you said he's just a number they dont care who leaves, if anything its one off the payroll.

There not going to care either way.. I would try and get the upper hand..

They dont care so how is it getting the upper hand by handing in notice.

The line manager will just inform HR who will take him/her off payroll and raise the P45......this believing that anyone in the company will care or feel "punished" is nonsense!

OP, just do what suits you and dont make a show of yourself!

Pub07

OP is acting like it's Bono leaving U2 when in reality he is like Fat Head McFadden leaving Westlife. No one cares.

LegacyUser

for your self respect and dignity leave the job now. you don't need them and they are going to fire you. leaving you off the January roster is rude and disrespectful. Leave now and have two weeks off till you start the new job.

I've been fired and I have quit. I know which one feels better. particularly when they deserve it. maybe they will treat there future staff a bit better and you will have done some good.

Motley Crue

Unregistered wrote: »

leaving you off the January roster is rude and disrespectful

I'd like to thank this poster. I was not attempting to be big headed with this post but this poster saw exactly what I saw. Whether I was being terminated or not leaving me off the roster was just going to make things worse because it was as if making me feel unsure about my job future. If I was in this same position 2 months ago I would be freaking because I really needed this job. Thankfully, this is no longer the case.

I went to work last weekend. I said nothing, although I did mention I had been offered a new job to a fellow employee, who wished me success.

This morning I was offered a full time contract at the place who had previously offered me a part time contract doing my dream job. I start in a week and now have to tell my current job that this will be my last weekend and I will be serving no notice, as I have no choice in this matter.

Im glad I said nothing this past week as it gave me the chance to see what would happen. It has worked out well. Now, I am more confident about handing in my notice, and will do so with grace and dignity. They may be upset about a lack of notice but since I am in the job less than 6 months tops I dont believe there is any legal right to serve it.

Thanks for everyones advice.

Agent J

http://www.employmentrights.ie/en/informationforemployees/minimumnotice/

One week after working 13 weeks(3 months) for employees. They can probably stall your p45 for a month or so now if you dont give the correct notice.

Grace and dignity? Where on earth are you working? The four seasons?

Still seems like a mountain out of a mole hill to me. They dont care! They'll be able to replace you instantly. And you claim to already have a better job so no issue there.

Why are you thanking the one poster who sorta agreed with you when 10+ who cant see a problem here and think you might be making something out of nothing? Do you actually want peoples opinions or do you just want people to agree with your view?

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

tbh wrote: »

don't burn your bridges before you cross them.

Don't burn your bridges at all... how are you going to get back.

Wait in your current job until you need to leave for your new one. Congratulations on the new job by the way

The_B_Man

well hes startin in his new job in like 4 days! and as of yet, he hasnt handed in any notice.

TBH, after he gets into this new job he doesnt need this old job for anything. even if he quits the new job, he can use them as a reference.

OP, just tell them u wont be in as of monday and forget about them.