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I Just Want to Quit My Job

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I just want to quit my job, but I know that would be wholly irresponsible so I won’t. But that doesn’t stop that thought from going through my head every single time I think about work. If you are stumbling upon this, you will want to read this post to know what and why I am saying this.

And I said I wouldn’t rant in my last post, but I have to get this off my chest or my explode. Beginning with Black Friday, I started my work day at 3am ET four out of eight days. Culminating with a solid 14 hour work day on Friday for the 1st day of the month work that happens every single month. (It didn’t help that I had the flu/upper respiratory issues all week. Which I believe were partially the result of the stress/lack of sleep.)

Not a single, solitary acknowledgement of my work. Not a single “thank you” for donating all these work hours, going above and beyond, and so on.  But I did hear from my boss with this type of statement “you know if you would just…” and I had to cut him off right there, saying, “well, you’ve already told me I’m fired so does that really matter at this point?”  I mean, seriously?

With all this being said, I just want to quit. I just don’t want to go back to the office at all. I know that’s unrealistic, I mean, I have to get my stuff.  But seriously…

Need Some Advice

So here is my question, and I know this isn’t a job advice site, but this is the closest thing I’ve got…I can do EVERYTHING I do for them remotely. I don’t have to be onsite for any of it, at all. I have two huge development projects  that I am supposed to complete for them that really require me to focus on code and no be distracted. This is in addition to the mundane daily and weekly tasks I take care of.

I want to write them an email and say:

“Seeing as you have already told me you are firing me after I finish these two development projects and launch them (Feb. 1), I do not see any need to be a regular presence in the office any longer. I will continue to do all the work I do for you, including creating some SOPs (which is more than I had when I started) from home while you search for someone to take over.”

I could go to the office for check ins on the two larger projects I am working on, but at this point I definitely do not have any intention of fighting to stay. I do not want to work there any longer. I don’t want to burn my bridges, but I am just so angry and feel so taken advantage of and feel so bullied.

What are your thoughts?  I am barely containing myself from sending the email now. But I am definitely on the verge. (And to be honest, if they have anything to say to me about Friday (my 3am-7pm shift,) I will probably lose it right there. But I am trying.) Please advise.


21 Comments

  • Reply TENN |

    Do not burn bridges unless you are prepared to stop working for them immediately. Stay with what was agreed to when you started working and when you discussed your options a few weeks ago. Take some paid time off if you have it to clear your head for the next 1-3 months. Figure out if there are things you are doing that are beyond your job description.

    This situation sucks.

    • Reply Hope |

      The thing is when we discussed options and schedule, it was before they to me they were going to fire me. And the work I’m doing is do, not what I was hired to, not what I am being paid to do (the salary negotiation was based on a different job,) and I’m working insane hours that were also not discussed when I was hired.

      They are keeping me on so I can finish work that would cost them a great deal more to get done if they hired someone to do it specifically.

  • Reply Melissa |

    I? think you need to work the hours you were hired to do and anything additional needs to be paid for.

    Do not work for free if they fire you now so be it – they are going to anyway.

    You may need an attorney.

      • Reply Ashley |

        I agree -ish. I have also worked hours and jobs outside of my job description in the past (and, at the time, many friends/family workers chastised me for it), but I did it as in investment in myself and with my company. For me, these worked as bargaining chips in future salary negotiations and I think it paid off in my situation.
        But you’re in a different situation. You’re working at a job that you KNOW will be ending soon, so there’s no reason to put in additional time/effort/hours when you know you won’t be recouping anything in the future (no raise/better position/etc.). In that case, I agree you should only do the job you were hired for (whatever was contractually agreed upon) and bill for hours outside of that timeframe and/or outside of your contracted agreements.
        I still think presenting them with an Excel timesheet you’ve created would probably be eye-opening. Might not net you any more pay, but at least it would be more evident how abusive they have been and how many hours you have been putting in.

    • Reply Hope |

      I am salaried so I’m not quite sure how many hours that covers. I think it was one off long days it wouldn’t be an issue. I so appreciate all the encouragement. It’s helped me get my head on straight to keep going! Thank you!

      • Reply Laura |

        If you are salaried and exempt you do not qualify for overtime pay. They should have made this clear when you took the job.

  • Reply Walnut |

    I know you’re frustrated. The long hours are never fun – especially when you’re not being compensated for the extra. Continue to keep record of the hours you are working, don’t do any work that isn’t specifically required and keep job hunting. The reality is that you need the paycheck especially with the cut in hours at your freelance job. Chin up, Hope.

  • Reply OneFamily |

    I just want you to be able to quit too! But, seeing you need the income I think you need to hold out, but I wouldn’t work more. I’d tell them you have 40 hours available per week and that’s it. If they want you to work more they need to compensate you for it. I sure hope you find something before they are done with you! What an absolutely terrible way to run a business and treat an employee.

  • Reply Jean |

    I TOTALLY get where you are coming from. I was ready to walk out of my job about this time last year. I was able to work with a career/life coach and figure out what I want to do with my life. With that goal in mind, and working toward that goal, I’m able to have a different outlook of my current situation. It’s a tough situation. You’ve been through worse, so pull up your boot straps and keep going. Sounds like you have some good leads on freelance work, so keep focused on that.

    I WONDER… could you propose working for them as a consultant rather than a direct employee, since they don’t intend to keep you employed past February? If they would be open to that, you could make some changes to your current situation – and maybe even keep them as a client – on your terms, of course.

    AND, I agree with the other comments: make it clear to them that you will work what you’re being paid to work (40 hours) and that’s it. The worse they can do to you at this point is move up your unemployment date – which they probably wouldn’t do unless they had someone else to do the work you’re doing.

    Just curious – what will you do about insurance if you go back to free-lance/self-employed?

    • Reply Hope |

      Jean,
      I have thought about proposing becoming a contractor after the new year as well. I think I could make a bit more money that way and PERHAPS not lose the work quite so soon. Or keep it on more long term with a bit more control.

      I really appreciate all the encouragement. I felt like my head/stomach were on fire when I wrote this post. The BAD community’s feedback has really helped talk me off a ledge.

  • Reply Katie |

    Maybe there is an HR person who could weigh in here, but if you quit, I don’t think you can collect unemployment. You’re a single mom, you may need to access it. There is also the issue of a reference. I know it’s probably unbearable, but you may need to suck it up and keep saving every penny.

    • Reply Hope |

      You’re right, Katie, I do need to suck it up and keep working. And I knew that in my head. Just needed some help getting there. Thank you!

  • Reply JayP |

    Well, you said that they already agreed earlier to your office schedule. So I would work out those times IN the office. That way, they won’t be able to say you didn’t work your hours. I would leave after and let them know that you won’t be working additionally from home without additional pay. If you try to work from home they will assume you are actually working less – you won’t get credit for all those hours.

  • Reply Kili |

    How far of a commute is it to their office?
    If it’s not too crazy long, I can totally see JayP’s point and think that could be a good idea , since they actually see all the work your doing.

    Best of luck in finding a new job soon

  • Reply margann34 |

    I agree. Work 40 hours from the office and that is all. If they insist that website updates need to be done at midnight, tell them no and do it early in the morning from the office. You are the one who controls the number of hours you work. I know you work remotely to fit with your kid’s activities. In that case, document your hours and what you accomplished each day and stop working when it’s quitting time.

  • Reply cwaltz |

    Is this contract work? If so I would not be prepared to unilaterally change the contract without contacting a lawyer to find out what kind of consequences I might face for bailing on a contract(and I would also speak to the lawyer about how to protect yourself to ensure next time you aren’t treated as a 24/7 website concierge service.) By the way, don’t DONATE hours. Some of the reason they may be taking advantage of you is because of bounda ry issues created by previous time donations. It probably is also why you are starting to resent this workspace and the amount of time that they are consuming. Just be grateful that they aren’t renewing your contract if they are making you miserable.

  • Reply Jen |

    DO NOT QUIT. If you quit you will NOT be eligible for unemployment. If they fire you, you might be–it’s going to depend on the law of your state.

    Stick it out. Work the hours scheduled, in the place where you are scheduled to work them. Do not do extra unpaid work. Do not do work that is outside your job description.

    Do you qualify as exempt? Because if you are not, and they are not paying you overtime, they are breaking the law.

    • Reply Hope |

      I won’t quit. I am not sure on the exempt vs non exempt status. I have begun to look at employment laws for Georgia, but really I’d rather find another job and leave sooner rather than later.

  • Reply John |

    I would work the hours that you had agreed to work for them and no more. Keep looking for another job and do not quit until you have that job in place. I read your other post about them making you take PTO hours if you aren’t in the office. If they make you take PTO hours, I would not answer any phone calls or emails dealing with work, if they aren’t going to compensate you for them.

So, what do you think ?