I Love My Job...But Hate My Boss. Would You Quit?

[Starbird]

Title.

I have a pretty decent job. Salary isn't brilliant, but I love my students, my town and for the most part am not horrified to go to work every morning.

However I work in a small business with a boss who is...extremely difficult, is constantly looking over my shoulder and micromanages me to an extent that it affects me both professionally and personally.

Today I was on the verge of giving my 3 months notice (yeah...) but then I got thinking: Is it worth winding up somewhere where the opposite was true?

What would you do?

Also: Capcha: Signs point to yes. Har.

 

[Hairless Mammoth]

Don't quit until you got something to fall back on. Apparently, not having a job means you don't want one in today's world.(#1 here) [http://www.cracked.com/article_20322_6-ways-companies-are-secretly-screwing-job-applicants_p2.html] If you get some decent job offers somewhere else, try talking to your boss about those issues. If (s)he's a complete jerk and fires you or makes your job even harder, there is at least the others lined up. Depending on the laws of your area, (s)he might not even be able to get away with some things (s)he could pull/is pulling.

Also, ask a lot of questions before applying (Well, don't make it obvious you're paranoid. I've probably jumped over that line a few times.) and during interviews. You definitely don't want to go the opposite route unless this boss has pushed you too far. (I found out one job was going to be too similar to one I quit. I would have gone with it, but I'm glad they sent me sent the generic "good luck and buzz off" letter.)

Spoiler: Rant that I've probably mentioned too much on this site

I've had to deal with managers above me at my old theater career that had me struggling to help my employees keep up and sweating in my nice suits because they thought getting rid of some employees for the night would help the bottom line (and their bonuses?). Armed with the knowledge of high school ball game schedules and previous experience, I knew better, but hey, they're the ones that left at 11 or went upstairs, not the guy who would be counting all inventory at midnight (instead of locking some containers I already counted at quieter times), while creepy dudes showed up at the front counter demanding help to find their wallet, keys, drug, etc (or wanting to buy a $4 Icee at f-ing 1am, when that free refill deal won't do any good).

Then, they screwed us over when most us became projectionists, after the company was bought out. They never provided trailer programing reports on time (but sure as hell rushed over to my desk with a "special email" for a specific trailer; "Thanks, I'll put this with the three other copies I got of this."), didn't order lamps or other supplies when we asked, and tried to program things themselves, without bothering to test their work. (The company's "certification"(big quotes there) made them think they had the knowledge to do everything we did when it was really a joke.) Then, we were always blamed when things went wrong, when many times we weren't even there when someone messed with something. I'm surprised I lasted long enough to find a better job. They're lucky Blade didn't start playing instead of the Twilights (and trust me, that company wasted enough money to make it possible for me to play DVDs everywhere).

Spoiler: Rant, possibly with some useful knowledge hidden in it

I also quit a skilled job mostly because my complaints that my equipment was worn out and I was doing most of the finishing work by hand were ignored. My boss(es) said just keep at it and ask [the guy training me] for help. Well, that guy was always busy with other things, because the company couldn't hold on to people for long for a large number of reasons. (And these are supporting your family level jobs I'm talking about.) I tried to get help when I could, but it wasn't doing much good when the machines don't even work right. It also didn't help my morale that others I met said "stay just for the experience, then get out of here at the first opportunity," my own experience and the same people's advice showed that the supervisors had poor communication with us and each other, and the benefits were poor. I saw a couple guys quit who hadn't been there much longer than me.

As soon as my old job called me with some work (it's at call with an outsourcing company that does repair work for major auto makers in the US, the work can be sporadic), I said screw it. I had an easier time working for 5 days straight out in 85 degree F weather replacing brake lines than doing something that was killing my back when it was supposed to be automated. We at least got some more work before the winter slowdown.

Even better, I found out from someone who worked at the place I quit that I was one of the few guys who consistently did quality work. Everyone who did my kind of work basically said "fuck it" and passed whatever parts they figured they could get away with down the line, while I was trying to at least keep the reputation of some things made in America from going down the toilet.

 

[Spider RedNight]

I've done the same thing; it was a mom and pop place so he was a jerkass and his know-nothing girlfriend was as vapid as they come.

HOWEVER, I agree in that you should get a fall-back job first; I've been out of employment 'til very recently and it's been a ***** even though I'm really glad I got out of that venomous environment; when he wasn't there, it was perfect but when he was your could feel him watching you from upstairs... -shudder-

SO I think yes. Just make sure you have a backup plan first

 

[Elementary - Dear Watson]

3 Month Notice? I'd check the legality of that. In the UK they can only make you give as much notice as the period of a paycheque. Definitly look that one up, or ask the friendly chaps at citizens advice.

The only exception to the notice period is the military, and your not in that... so...

 

[TakerFoxx]

I used to have a boss I despised. Stuck it out for a while because finding a job is difficult, but I actually requested a transfer twice and nearly up and quit in the middle of my shift on more than one occasion. Was seriously considering leaving, but then she got transferred to another location and her replacement ended up being really cool, so it all worked out.

 

[The Rogue Wolf]

Today I was on the verge of giving my 3 months notice

Holy frijoles. Three months? Where do you live? Here in the US it's customary to give two weeks of notice, and that's not even any sort of rule- just a way of not burning your bridges behind you.

Anyway, I'm in the opposite position- the people who work above me are fantastic, but the company as a whole is... well, a hole. And yes, I'm looking for a better job, because I'm sick of putting up with tools that don't work and work that can't be done (but take time to sift through, without getting credit).

But let me tell you a little story. When I was leaving the job I was at before this one (retail, ten year career) I made sure to stay on the boss's good side just in case. And it came in handy when the training I was scheduled to do was pushed back a week, and my savings were so thin that that week of not getting paid would've been seriously problematic. So I called up my old boss and all but begged to get one more week of work, and he made it happen for me. So yeah, be careful not to burn your bridges; you never know if you might need to retreat over them.

 

[FuzzyRaccoon]

I had a job just like that. I was really tough and effected my mental health... but I really enjoyed everything else about it. I'd say what everyone else did.

But man, doesn't it suck when your boss is the only thing in the way of you having a good work day?

 

[Johnny Novgorod]

You know what's worse than having a decent job with a shitty boss? Not having them. I suggest you go looking for another job before quitting the one you have.

 

[Little Woodsman]

I'm going to agree with what a lot of other people have been saying here and suggest you start looking for another job before quitting your present one.

I've been in circumstances before where I was having a horrible time at work, so I started looking for another job--and as soon as my employer started getting calls from the places I was applying at, things at my workplace improved dramatically.

 

[Starbird]

Today I was on the verge of giving my 3 months notice

Holy frijoles. Three months? Where do you live? Here in the US it's customary to give two weeks of notice, and that's not even any sort of rule- just a way of not burning your bridges behind you.

Anyway, I'm in the opposite position- the people who work above me are fantastic, but the company as a whole is... well, a hole. And yes, I'm looking for a better job, because I'm sick of putting up with tools that don't work and work that can't be done (but take time to sift through, without getting credit).

But let me tell you a little story. When I was leaving the job I was at before this one (retail, ten year career) I made sure to stay on the boss's good side just in case. And it came in handy when the training I was scheduled to do was pushed back a week, and my savings were so thin that that week of not getting paid would've been seriously problematic. So I called up my old boss and all but begged to get one more week of work, and he made it happen for me. So yeah, be careful not to burn your bridges; you never know if you might need to retreat over them.

Japan. I work at a small school with lots of separate local contracts, so if I leave it essentially puts everyone else in an impossible position until they have a replacement. Many similar schools here have a 'YOU have to find a replacement before you are allowed to leave' clause. Yeah...laws here are very weak in this regard.

My boss isn't incompetent - it's more that he is OCD and constantly nitpicks me and micromanages tiny, silly things to the extent that I become stressed and distracted and make bigger mistakes. Which is obnoxious, since I take a lot of pride in doing my job well.

 

[lacktheknack]

Ack. I held a job for quite a few months where I was massively intimidated by my boss, and that was pretty depressing (as in, literally). The work was fine, if a bit fast, but every time there was a staff meeting, my knees would start knocking, even though I was never put on the spot.

That might be more my issue, but I was pretty darn happy when I quit the job and knocked off to Russia.

 

[SweetShark]

Nope, don't quit for that. It is not like you have him/her all the time over your head.
Be thankful you have a job you love and your students respect you.
I know I sound really cliche, but think about the teachers who work in Greece [my country].
Yeah..........You would murdered the whole classroom if they didn't liked you....

 

[immortalfrieza]

If you like your job, find a similar job elsewhere, set it up, then quit. At best you'll end up with a job you like and a great boss, at worst you'll end up with a job you like and a boss that's no worse than the last guy.

 

[Fieldy409_v1legacy]

So what's unemployment like in Japan? Does the government give you payments like here in Australia?

Because if unemployment in Japan is like here I would say do it, if it's like America or somewhere I'd hang on to my job.

 

[fenrizz]

3 Month Notice? I'd check the legality of that. In the UK they can only make you give as much notice as the period of a paycheque. Definitly look that one up, or ask the friendly chaps at citizens advice.

The only exception to the notice period is the military, and your not in that... so...

In Norway the standard is actually 3 months.
I understand that it might be different in other countries though.

OT:

I did the exact same thing 8 months ago.

Loved my job, had a nice salary and a yearly bonus of 1000 to 2000 pound sterling.
In the end is was not enough.
My boss was mildly incompetent, dead set on micromanaging the smallesst details of our workday and a bit of a douche.

When he was on leave me and one other colleague gave his supperior an offer (or ultimatum if you like), either he would have to go or we would quit.
I should add that since he started working as the boss there we had a significant rise in disgruntlement and dissatisfaction amongst most of the staff.
In the end they decided to keep him, so we quit.

Best descision I've made to be honest, I'm much more satisfied prefessionlly and personally now.
Even though you try not to you will always take shit from work home.

But, don't quit until you have another job lined up.
It is much, much easier to get a new job if you have a job.

 

[Timmaaaah]

If you love your job stick with it. Maybe talk to your boss about your concerns? Though uh... I don't know your boss so maybe don't take my advice. I once had a good job a crazy boss. Anyone who voiced their displeasure with anything regarding the way things were being run was highly likely to be fired on the spot. So I just kinda did the work and just let the boss go about her crazy day.

 

[Suhi89]

3 Month Notice? I'd check the legality of that. In the UK they can only make you give as much notice as the period of a paycheque. Definitly look that one up, or ask the friendly chaps at citizens advice.

The only exception to the notice period is the military, and your not in that... so...

Is this true? I had 3 months notice from my last job, which was great coz it meant they had to pay me for those 3 months when I was laid off. Higher ups had longer notice periods.

OT: it depends how unhappy it makes you. I'd rather have a job I enjoyed and a boss who I didn't like than the reverse, but I'd rather have a job I hated and a boss I liked than the reverse.

 

[Johnson McGee]

I would suggest (civilly) talking to this boss about how what he's doing. If that doesn't work / you don't think it will go well and depending on how small the small business is, you could try going up to the next rung and voicing your concerns. If they solve the issue then great and if they don't then that company probably isn't the kind of place you're going to want a long term career at anyway. Companies that ignore and drive away their skilled workers don't tend to do well in the marketplace.

 

[lowtech redneck]

I feel for you, I think I'd rather have a boss whose kind of an asshole but generally leaves me alone to do my job over a boss whose a decent human being but who micro-manages the hell out of me.

You are an ex-patriot, are you not? Its probably not worth the risk unless you're at the point where you would rather leave the country than continue working there. Have you asked your co-workers how common this management style is in Japan (assuming you are an ex-patriot)? It could easily end up being a 'meet the new boss, same as the old boss' situation.