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I left my very first job because I, too, ended up bored and learning almost nothing. But I do remember that I was too scared to bring it up, because I thought t

by austinz 13y ago

I left my very first job because I, too, ended up bored and learning almost nothing. But I do remember that I was too scared to bring it up, because I thought there existed a possibility that the (very small) company might preemptively let me go, which would have screwed me up quite a bit. The most logical thing to do, in my mind, was to not let anyone know what I was thinking until I had signed a new offer letter and was handing in my two weeks' notice. Sort of like the prisoner's dilemma. Was I wrong? (I hope I was wrong.) My manager was a great guy, and definitely not unreasonable. But at least from my perspective at the time, the stakes were so high. Was this just some stupid fear that doesn't actually reflect what happens in real life?

JackMorgan 13y ago
I've seen it happen: someone getting fired for pointing out how they'd like more work and are bored. I think you just have to leave with an offer in hand, saying politely no to any counteroffers. But, always remember, move jobs like Tarzan, with one hand in the next vine before letting go of the current one. (Have an offer before letting _anyone_ know at your current job). That being said, I encourage my employees to let me know if there is anything I can do _before_ it gets to that point. I believe in letting people move around between roles, jobs, and teams if it helps them engage better. But I'm a pretty private guy about not being happy at work, so I'm not even sure I'd take me up on it unless I framed it in such a way like "boy this other team is doing some cool stuff, can I help out?" Something about the asymmetrical power relationship makes me very careful to not harm myself with my own actions: and having been fired once in a humiliating way really opened my eyes to how bad things can go if the person on the other end wants to be cruel.
toyg 13y ago
As far as I can remember, that's always been SOP in the workplace. Despite all these "new wave" models of employer/employee relationship, at the end of the day there is always a basic power imbalance between owners/managers and employees.

by austinz 13y ago

JackMorgan 13y ago

I've seen it happen: someone getting fired for pointing out how they'd like more work and are bored. I think you just have to leave with an offer in hand, saying politely no to any counteroffers. But, always remember, move jobs like Tarzan, with one hand in the next vine before letting go of the current one. (Have an offer before letting _anyone_ know at your current job). That being said, I encourage my employees to let me know if there is anything I can do _before_ it gets to that point. I believe in letting people move around between roles, jobs, and teams if it helps them engage better. But I'm a pretty private guy about not being happy at work, so I'm not even sure I'd take me up on it unless I framed it in such a way like "boy this other team is doing some cool stuff, can I help out?" Something about the asymmetrical power relationship makes me very careful to not harm myself with my own actions: and having been fired once in a humiliating way really opened my eyes to how bad things can go if the person on the other end wants to be cruel.

toyg 13y ago

As far as I can remember, that's always been SOP in the workplace. Despite all these "new wave" models of employer/employee relationship, at the end of the day there is always a basic power imbalance between owners/managers and employees.