Guys. I quit today.

[mae0111]

I did it. I resigned. I told my two bosses that I would be leaving at the end of May. That I hadn't had any sort of balance in 5+ years, and that I was leaving without a job. It was... not what I expected.

They want me to:
- consider a reduced role
- consider part time
- reconsider my decision in general
- stay on as a contractor
- stay on past May for an undetermined amount of time
- not tell anyone until they can come up with a communication plan.

So it feels unfinished, and still a bit uncertain. Thank you all for your support over the past few years. I'm very emotional today. 16 years of my life wrapping up...

[Deleted]

Good for you lady!

If they give you this kind of negotiation room, are you interested in possibly staying? Or is this a closed door for you?

[xctsclrx]

Congrats! and what @becominggold, said. Is it for sure done for you?

[somebabiesmom]

Way to go! Psychic strength waves coming your way!

[brachysira]

Yes, we all want to know, will you take their offers? It is pretty much my dream to have some kind of contractor or part time job. Keep the cash flow and keep the resume updated all while not having to work so much. Of course if they mean do your job but we'll pay you half, that's not good...

[justcheckingin73]

Congrats to you! Not that you're asking for it and I don't know all of the backstory related to your job, but their offers seem past due. I feel that if you aren't being treated well and you make an attempt to communicate that and things don't change, I don't think they'll ever change. Sure, they may offer a reduced role, part-time or whatever but will it really play out that way long term or will they fall into old habits? Sorry if I made some assumptions that don't match the true situation. 16 years is a long time. I hope that whatever decision you make is good for you!

[Widget123]

Bravo for you for the courage to do this. I am also curious if you will consider their other offers. Good luck!

[CoverGirl82]

Way to go, mae0111! If you haven't decided, it sounds like you have the upper hand in negotiations, so I hope whatever you decide it right for you and not them.

[rere26]

I will say, I loved, loved, loved, part time. It was fantastic to work part time at a job that I liked and used my education. However, be careful. If they have not recognized the lack of balance FT, they may not recognize PT. There would have to be very clear lines.

[mommyatty]

On one hand, I know you really wanted to be done with this, and it's a relief to have made a decision after a lot of thought. But it's really nice that they'd like to keep you and obviously value you.

I don't think I would go with PT or a reduced roll, but I know someone who left and consults for our company. A couple of people, actually, and it seems like an awesome arrangement. Maybe something to consider.

[billybumbler]

Good for you! If you're not going to accept any of their offer I'd let them know soon and very clearly.

[mae0111]

Thanks, everyone, for your support. I'm worn out, so more details tomorrow. I'm leaning against any kind of part time option or reduced role, because the stressors will still be there.

Bottom line is that they want access to me. Both bosses are on vacation for 2 weeks after tomorrow, so they've asked me to keep things quiet and consider all options, and we can talk when they both get back. There's a larger organizational issue associated with me leaving, and they need time to figure it out.

[shakinros]

Omg mae0111 congrats! Scary stuff to make a big change but it's awesome that you've made this move.

I don't think I'd take any of their offers or suggestions. These people respecting any kind of less-than-FT+++ arrangement seems...unlikely.

[callmeKD]

Good for you Mae!!

[indyrowergirl]

Congratulations! I'm with the others - I say go with your gut. I would not accept any kind of part time offer. You're giving them a gift by staying until May, and yet they want more? That, and their past history, makes me think it's never going to stop. The more you give, the more they will want.
Good Luck!

[indyrowergirl]

And totally ok to be emotional. I've been with my company 17 years (7 with my current boss). I totally teared up when I told her I was leaving. It's a big change. Give it a few days. Once you're ok to tell everyone (and get that over with) I promise you'll start feeling better about it.

[helenahhandbasket]

Congratulations! Take some time to process it, but it sounds like you are done and that's great!

[2chatter]

I would consider a contract period to allow them to transition and you to bank some cash to fund a long job hunt. Good for you in doing this - I hope the path forward becomes clear, but it sounds like it will be two weeks without a lot of forward motion, and that sounds super frustrating.

[kimberlyb]

Change is always hard but it sound like this was overdue. Congrats!!

[mae0111]

So a bit more info, now that I've had a good night's sleep and my migraine has subsided...

This is bad for them in a lot of ways. I have 16 years of institutional knowledge, which no one else has because of high turnover lately. I'm a combination of strategy and tactical execution - it's tough to find a strategist that will get her hands dirty, and tough to find a tactician that can think strategically. So there's no one internally that could just step into my role. There is also a huge push to keep women in leadership positions, and leaving like this makes the department look unsupportive.

Also, my bosses are temporary. There's no head of my group globally, and no head of Europe. (It's part of my reason for leaving - they're demanding results, but we've not received any guidance on what we're actually supposed to be doing.) My 3 colleagues and I have been running the group globally since September, and my leaving will shine a spotlight on the lack of leadership.

I've concluded that part time would not work. I'd still need some child care coverage, and part-time coverage is expensive. Contract work might be OK, but I'd still be dealing with some of the same "difficult" personalities that I'm forced to work with today.

At this point, I'm thinking my best bet is to extend my notice. I'm required to give 60 days at my level (there is a monetary penalty if I don't), but they've already asked me if I would stay longer. I said I'd consider it, but that I'd need to get something out of the arrangement. I think I can negotiate a severance package, which might include up to 5 hours per week of "consulting" for 1 year after my separation. That way, they can still get me if they have small questions here and there, but they can't pull me into a larger project without a bigger agreement. If they say no, I will leave when I planned to leave.

[billybumbler]

That seems like a really good plan mae0111.

[Deleted]

mae0111 , I haven't gone here in a while but wanted to congratulate you on making a career decision.