Right way to quit a job

[dooleysm]

A good buddy of mine came down here and interviewed with our company and was offered a job. He was all set to accept it and when he went to turn in his resignation his boss asked him what his new offer was and made him a much better offer to stay.

A couple years later he did the same thing but this time he told his employer to offer him what he thought he was worth. Again, he got a much better offer to stay.

 

[ducati996]

Face to face. Tell him your new option. Seek counter offer, partnership, etc. etc. Two weeks notice. 15 years dosn't mean squat. Nor does your opinion that his company may fold. And you have formulated yet another opinion on what a good guy is. Sorry to be harsh, but this is business and your life.

-Mike Z.

I tend to agree in this scenerio - the reality is its a business and the owners ego will always come into play. They most doubtedly will come to the reason that they dont need you and will get by without you. No matter how important you are to the company, if your not a partner, owner or family, you are expendable. Ego is ego and always in some form in these types of scenerios.
In order to handle it correctly, you must allow them the opportunity to respond, talk first about it before any date is mentioned or in writing - but be prepared that they wont, or will come up short in the monetary arena. You have to have clear goals of what you want in order to stay (dont settle you will only have one shot at it, and get it in writing), but keep in mind once they know you are thinking of leaving, they tend to think this person will leave anyway, even after they counter. Try to keep the door open for a possible future return if things dont work out - you will be surprised, after a period of time away the relationship gets better, and you can negiotate with the upper hand for your return.
Im not a big fan of extended periods of notice - its drags things out way too long and things tend to get placed in your lap to resolve before you leave. trying to get every inch of work out of you before you leave, instead of working on the replacement - is the wrong message from the company.

Anyway good look - doing it right, is the best way to make money

 

[tractorman1234]

Thanks for all the replies. Some very good advice.

To answer the questions, I am not currently working under any contract, but would have one at the new place, which I and my lawyer have reviewed.

To elaborate on my current position I was hired 15 yrs ago, and about 10 yrs ago we made a handshake agreement where I would be paid a certain percentage of the companies gross revenue, in addition to a small base salary. Well that worked great up until this year when the boss decided I was making too much. He essentially went back on our deal and said he could not pay me the percentage anymore. Now granted the company is bringing in a lot more than what it was back when we made the agreement but I am solely responsible for building it up to what it is now. I make more dollars than I did in the past,but less percentage, and more work on my part.

When my employer made these changes I was very unhappy. I told them I wanted to be parterns, wanted our original deal, etc and he would not budge. In his mind he honestly thinks I make too much as it is, even though I make a lot of money for him.

The prospective employer is our competitor. They know what I can do. They are a solid company, been around since the 80's. If I join them I am sure some of my clients will follow, but not all, and it does not really matter as they have plenty of their own.


Anyway all this aside I just want to handle it the right way.

 

[sandman2234]

The fastest way to get rid of the competition is to hire their employees away from them, especially if it will be the downfall of them. Trucking companies do it all the time. Once the competition has gotten rid of them, do you think they have a good reason to keep you, and pay you the higher salary? I am pretty sure this practice goes on in more fields than just the one I am, opps, the one I WAS in...
If they hire you away, and then terminate you, what recourse will you have after the previous employer closes down? Are there any other opportunites in that field that may be open? As mentioned, don't burn any bridges, but you may want to look to see if there is an evacuation route open in case stuff hits the fan.
I had a job offer for $.50/hr more than I was making, with a company p/u thrown in. My current company knew I wasn't pulling their leg about the offer and dispite the fact that I was at "maximum" pay for my job, they raised it to keep me. I never told any of the other workers that I was making more than max, although I am sure many of them would like to know since I was with the company 1/2 the time they were. They did let us start driving our trucks home right after that, so I didn't loose anything at the time.
Good luck either way,
David from jax

 

[California]

He essentially went back on our deal and said he could not pay me the percentage anymore.

Anyone who would do that is not worth working for.

You should be friendly and polite and try to depart on terms where you can return if the other job doesn't work out - but it's time to leave this guy.

Since the new firm is offering part ownership you should examine their financial statements to verify they aren't buried in debt or have other indications that profit might turn down in the future. If possible, have a CPA with experience in buyouts look at the financials. He might spot or interpret something you don't see, for example that the firm is taking longer to pay its suppliers. Assuming the new firm is as solid as it appears, you can't lose by moving there.

I wouldn't worry about the old firm folding. 1 that's not your problem and 2, he can probably replace you with someone he pays less, and get by for a couple of years until the firm is back on its feet.

Providing for your family, and hopefully accumulating some wealth, requires pursuing your best opportunity. The old owner may try to convince you that personal integrity etc requires you to stay and make him rich. That's bs and he knows it. I'm sure he has a plan for what to do if/when you leave him.

 

[kenmac]

If he made a deal with you 10 yrs ago & now has gone back on the deal. I wouldn't give 10 min. notice

 

[curly]

...When my employer made these changes I was very unhappy...

Well yeah...I woulda been too. Just give him as much notice as you can and move on.

 

[Perdido]

I have been working in the employment field for more than 20 years, I would meet with him face to face and let him know what your plans are, give standard 2 weeks notice. I was raise when you give a hand shake and your word you never went back on it. If the current boss offer you the same deal can you count on his word? Move on and see what the future hold for yourself

 

[randy41]

i would have walked on the day he went back on his word. cya loser would have been all i would have said.

 

[DocHeb]

If they hire you away, and then terminate you, what recourse will you have after the previous employer closes down? Are there any other opportunites in that field that may be open?

That sounds like a perfect time to go into business for yourself.