I switched from outdoor/indoor construction work to an office job 4 years ago. I am really getting burned out and thinking of going back to the grunt work. Office politics are exhausting.
Unhappy@ New Job
- Thread starter Jason2007
- Start date
- Status
Every single time
Most jobs you just get thrown in,
Worth noting is that a new phenomenon is that people quit then return to their original workplace
Where I work that is the only way to get a pay raise.
wemay
Site Donor 2023
Or her.
It's my understanding that even in an at-will state, generally the employee handbook is still considered binding in terms of what is involved in firing.
As an example, my previous employer outlined the following:
First of all, all new employees were considered probabtionary for 6 months. That quite literally means that unless you are fired specifically because you are a member of a protected class, you can be let go for any reason or no reason. If you wear a blue shirt on Tuesday and your boss doesn't like it, you could be fired.
After your probationary period, there was generally a series of escalation-
1. Written warning about that your work wasn't up to standard/a behavior was problematic and needed to improve
2. Performance improvement plan(PIP) that outlined specific issues and what was required to rectify them over a specific period of time(6 months IIRC)
3. If the terms of the PIP were not satisfied, you could be let go
There were certain serious/egregious violations that allowed them to bypass the process under specific circumstances. Shortly after I started there, I watched, at 1:00 in the afternoon, the unit business manager(who had been there ~15 years and was widely liked and considered excellent at her job) escorted out of her office and explicitely told that the personal contents of her office would be packed and shipped to her and she was not permitted back on campus. Her violation? An audit uncovered that she had embezzeled around $200K in petty cash-in other words a pretty big deal and a solid reason for why she was not permitted anywhere close after being fired.
My current employer-hopefully in a year and a half I'll be tenured which involves a pretty steep hill toward firing. It can be done and the easiest way is by RIF/position elimination, but that's still not easy. It's a steep hill to climb, though, As it is now, I'm employed on a year-to-year contract that, if it was so desired, they could simply opt not to renew at the end of the year...
I'm looking to jump after 4.5 years, as none of the promises made about learning new things, taking on more responsibility, and climbing the ladder have come to fruition, and I'm tired of dealing with some really intellectually challenged people that work in city / county government offices, as well as some layabout folks that we have working for us.
I'm in the application phase of a different opportunity, and would be doing more of the work I've wanted to do for 4 years, and none of the BS I'm doing now. The thing is...it's 100% remote. I'm actually questioning if I can handle the solitude, or if I will end really liking it, and just don't realize it yet. It would mean 0 wear and tear on my car, spending much less on gas, no mental energy spent on fighting traffic, and an opportunity to get daily chores done during the day, versus at night after work, and on the weekends. I know remote is the present, and the future, but I'm 51, and have been happily (mostly) going to an office my entire career, so I really get the OP's comments about solitude. I work in an office full of people, and I'm wondering if I can stand to do it from home.
I'm in the application phase of a different opportunity, and would be doing more of the work I've wanted to do for 4 years, and none of the BS I'm doing now. The thing is...it's 100% remote. I'm actually questioning if I can handle the solitude, or if I will end really liking it, and just don't realize it yet. It would mean 0 wear and tear on my car, spending much less on gas, no mental energy spent on fighting traffic, and an opportunity to get daily chores done during the day, versus at night after work, and on the weekends. I know remote is the present, and the future, but I'm 51, and have been happily (mostly) going to an office my entire career, so I really get the OP's comments about solitude. I work in an office full of people, and I'm wondering if I can stand to do it from home.
sounds like we could be coworkers
To some degree. At least when it comes to things like agreements to pay severance. And yeah the stuff in there may be considered legally binding and a breach of contract to violate the terms.
But I think the idea of at-will is as opposed to something like a union worker or a government worker who simply can't be fired on the spot.
I was with the same company for 17 years.
Last April I switched companies still doing the same job.
My commute went from 42 miles round trip to 4.4 miles round trip.
I got a $17,000 a year raise plus quarterly and Christmas bonus's.
My old company never ever paid any type of bonus.
And yes I have quit jobs after a short time there.
In fact before my 17 year run I worked one day at another company and quit the next day.
Last April I switched companies still doing the same job.
My commute went from 42 miles round trip to 4.4 miles round trip.
I got a $17,000 a year raise plus quarterly and Christmas bonus's.
My old company never ever paid any type of bonus.
And yes I have quit jobs after a short time there.
In fact before my 17 year run I worked one day at another company and quit the next day.
Would explain the poor communication...
Yes. I quite my job last year. Did not like the new job. Asked my old boss to take me back. Make it like old times. She did, and I got a substantial raise along with it.
No job is perfect.
Ive seen people leave my employer and boss refuses to rehire them even if we are short staffed.
One boss I had about 7 years ago, an employee put in his 2 week notice and then changed his mind. Boss would not allow the guy to ‘cancel’ his 2 week notice.
Boss:
”Once you submit paperwork to Human Resources that tells me you were not happy working for me...... there’s NO coming back ! “
.
Ive seen people leave my employer and boss refuses to rehire them even if we are short staffed.
One boss I had about 7 years ago, an employee put in his 2 week notice and then changed his mind. Boss would not allow the guy to ‘cancel’ his 2 week notice.
Boss:
”Once you submit paperwork to Human Resources that tells me you were not happy working for me...... there’s NO coming back ! “
.
Last edited:
Large amounts of money make some people miserable.
Look at some lottery winners and their problems, winning the lotto was a curse.
Hahaha
Yep. I quit a job one month in. I started looking for another one within the first week. The position was nothing like what was advertised and the people sucked. Still working for the same company I left that one for. That was 15yrs ago. If you are not happy leave.
I'm blessed regarding my career. I start my 45th. year this coming spring, with an exciting new project to challenge me. Wealth and material possessions were never a priority for my wife and I. Most would think we live substandard (we do)....... imagine raising 3 children in a 1 bathroom home! All are successful adults with good work ethic and principles. I drive a Jeep Patriot, for goodness sake! Ha! The least of our worries.
So glad I chose the road less traveled! You guys definitely sway me towards not retiring yet. Thank you.
This is an excellent thread to suggest young people pursue their passion(s).
So glad I chose the road less traveled! You guys definitely sway me towards not retiring yet. Thank you.
This is an excellent thread to suggest young people pursue their passion(s).
I could do it comfortably on $1m usd at current rates, after taxes.
- Status