I've been at my current job for about 18 months. When I took the job, I was asked in the interviews if I would be prepared to stay for a minimum of five years. I said yes. My contract requires two weeks' notice. I have a few gripes with my employer, but none are so extreme as to be unbearable. I'm now one of the most qualified people in my group, but I was recently overlooked for a promotion. The guy who got the promotion was probably the best choice, but was also openly looking to leave, a fact that probably pushed him to the top of the line. The next time this opportunity will arise could be in six months, but is more likely to be several years away. Meanwhile, I'm struggling to pay the bills. Now a position has opened up at another lab. It's the equivalent of the promotion I missed out on. The pay is better, the benefits are better, and the local cost of living is far lower. Is it morally acceptable for me to say to my employer: "Sorry, but I have to put my family and finances first, despite the promise I made to you"?
You have no obligation, moral or otherwise, to stay at a job because of company loyalty. Most companies wouldn't bother giving their employees any notice whatsoever if they needed to cut back. Apply for the position. Once you know for sure you have obtained it, file your two weeks notice. Make it clear to your new employer that you will be able to start after those two weeks. This will show that you have professionalism and you won't be burning your bridges behind you should you ever have to go back.
You are perfectly fine to give your two weeks notice, if they suddenly decided that your role wasn't necessary anymore your employer would have no issues with ending your employment. If they ask, just say what you did here, that you felt there were not many opportunities in your current role and that your new employer is offering you a better position.
While I understand your position and completely agree with it, if they didn't put it in writing that you couldn't quit for five years, you are under no obligation to stay for five years. I have sadly learned that talk is cheap in the private sector and a handshake means nothing unless it is followed up with a written contract. But if that isn't enough, look at it 180 degrees: Did they guarantee you a job for five years? Even if they did, if they didn't put it in writing, do you really think if they needed to make cuts, they wouldn't send you packing? I mean, the choice is still yours. And if you chose to live by your code, then more power to you. I give you a hearty . But apart from any bad feelings you might have when you look in the mirror in the morning, there is nothing stopping you from leaving and your first responsibility is to yourself and to your family.
Yes. Wholeheartedly. Sometimes a job will get in the way. Sometimes you can't make it to all of the ball games, recitals, and family gatherings. But, if I can better myself and provide more money and opportunities for my family by going to another job, doing something I enjoy doing, nobody in their right mind would blame you for that. If they do, they're a douche and I wouldn't want to work for a douche anyways.
Yes, I think it is morally acceptable to go to the better job; unless perhaps if the atmosphere of loyalty at your current company is so intense that you're sure you wouldn't be let go, etc. Which doesn't seem to be the case. You could consider pointing out the other job -- once you've secured the offer! -- to your current employers. Perhaps they will want to promote you in a hurry rather than see you go.
Yes. You are completely within your rights to leave. Family and finances far outweigh company loyalty, unless, like, you own part of the company.
Yes. The moment the place you work is an any form of hardship they would pink slip you without a second thought. There is no reason why you should not 'better deal' any employer at the first opportunity- if you are valued enough, they'll make you an offer to stay that you can't refuse. Otherwise, head for greener pastures, baby.
Yes, it's acceptable. Just give as much notice as you can (for example, see if the new job will delay your start date enough for you to give three or four weeks instead of two) and make things as easy as possible for the people who'll be filling in the gaps after you're gone, and you've lived up to your end of the relationship. You weren't lying when you said you were prepared to stay for a minimum of five years. The fact is, unanticipated things happen and situations change, and your employer will hopefully understand that.
Are you out of your freaking mind? Unless you are living with the boss then fuck yeah.....quit. And when you say contract do you mean a contract where if you don't give two weeks notice they can come after you? If so make sure you follow the contract to the letter. As others have pointed out the company will not hesitate to cut your throat. There is no such thing as company loyalty anymore.
Heh. One of my MBA professors--I think it was the advanced accounting one--would wrap up his class with "...unless I get a better offer, I'll see you next week." And I think he was tenured.
It's rather easy: any employer worth his money will screw you over the second a chance presents itself. As long as those five years are not in writing in your contract, you're free to do whatever is best for you. When it comes to work, unwritten 'promises' are worth nothing.
Thanks for the advice, guys. I appreciate it very much. I have some pretty good job security where I am. The only way I'm going to be let go is if they close my department. The only way that's going to happen is if they close/massively downsize and restructure the division. That's possible, but pretty unlikely. With that in mind, I emailed my boss to let him know I was "considering my options" because of "my financial situation." I expected him to be pretty pissed off. His actual response was "I don't want to lose you... I'm going to speak to the guys who control the money to see if we can help you out." It's nice to be valued! I'll see what comes through tomorrow.
"Are you prepared to stay 5 years" <> "Will you guarantee that you'll stay 5 years". You honestly answered Yes at the time, and not the situation has changed. Go for the new job if you want.
Huh. Spider hit on the solution: "I'll stay for five years [if you pay me a competitive wage and take care of me]." Good on him. I don't know that I trust an employer enough to let him know I'm considering looking around, but I guess trust is something you build and some bosses are trustworthy.
^I wouldn't have approached it this way with a different employer. It took these guys three years to fire an alcoholic who regularly turned up 3+ hours late to work. So, pending approval from the money men, they've offered to promote me to the same pay grade as the guy who got the promotion. That's at least 13%. Plus some extra cash now. Plus when I do get the actual promotion, I'll get another significant salary bump. On top of that, I mentioned the situation to a member of a different department (for whom I do some side work). She's running off to her boss to see if they can give me some extra money, too. It still doesn't quite match the alternative, but I think I'm better off staying for now. I know I like the job, and I know I'm valued. I think I'm going to tell them that I'm going to try to make it work. Then I can always walk at a later date if I fancy it.
