I'm absolutely miserable at my job - How should I put in my two week notice without feeling guilty?

Question

I really want to put in my notice, but I'm not sure what to write, or how to go about it. I know it's going to be a low blow to the company with "peak" season arriving, but I can't hang in there anymore. I can't even enjoy my time off because I'm dwelling on how much I don't want to go back there.

Is it customary to provide a reason for leaving on the notice letter? Or do I just write "This is my two week notice"?
And how do I get past the guilt of leaving?

this is basically a job to get me through school. it's not a career, and it's not what i intend to do with my life.

Answer 1

First off, do you want to stay in the same field....if so, be careful not to burn bridges,
But, most important realize that each day you spend there is a day of your life which you will never get back.
You are more important that the company who makes you miserable. Offer a 2 week notice letter, and maybe they won't want you stay.
Guilt should be saved for family and friends, and things you wouldn't say out loud in public. Leaving a job does not fall into that category....if they didn't want you, you would be history and they wouldn't feel guilty. Good luck!

Answer 2

I went through this not too long ago, so I know what you're going through!

I kept my note short, simple and positive. I said I enjoyed working with the company but would be taking another position with another company as of day xx/xx/xxxx, and would be finished working for the them on day xx/xx/xxxx.
Nobody asked me any "why" questions. People were sorry to see me go, but knew better than to make an issue of it. (which really made me feel relieved, I had had problems with that company before where I put in my notice, only to be talked out of it because they told me they would never be able to find anyone else!) This time, I just made up my mind that they could not make me stay! I was going to leave (and work somewhere else, where conditions and pay were better) no matter what!

Don't feel guilty. You won't be doing anyone any favors by staying in a job where you don't want to be.

Answer 3

You shouldn't be feeling "guilty" if you are miserable, if you have a specific greivance spell it out, if possible document it. It's illegal for an employer to "flame you" but they do it anyways, especially if they want you to come back to work for them and not the competition. I think you need to learn how to dissasociate work from teh rest of your life, when you pass out that door your life is your own. But you should try and find a job that you enjoy and look forward to doing every day. I guess you could hand onto that two week notice long enough to try discussing what the problems are that make you miserable, they may try and remedy the problem to keep you on. But remember Human Resources people are there to keep you inline for the company's benfit, not to help you. No worker really has a "friend" in the office.

Answer 4

Resigning from a job is not easy.

If you feel that this is the right thing to do than by all means do it.

Yes it is customary to provide a reason n the letter. You should give a reason why you resigned because you want to leave on a positive note with your employer and you do not want to burn any bridges.

Also in case any potential employers want to verify why you resigned it is on file.

If you should have any questions on how to write a resignation letter here are some resources:
http://jobsearch.about.com/od/resignationletters/a/resignationlet.htm
http://www.worktree.com/tb/MB_resign.cfm

Hope this info helps. Best of luck in your career search!

Answer 5

its not customary- but if you want to get a GOOD REFERENCE from them for your NEXT employer you better.

Heres something you need to realize, MOST, and I MEAN MOST people do not like their job. And if youre not happy in this one, what do you think the odds are that you will be happy in the next one? MAYBE its your CAREER That you need to change, and not your job. See what Im saying? as adults, we go thru an AVERAGE of 3 CAREER changes in our lifetimes. You may want to concider returning to school or taking training outside of work for a different career. AN EXCELLENT book for you my friend is called "What color is my parachute" they have new ones each year.
Heres something alot of people dont realize, when you GIVE your employer a 2 weeks notice, they can FIRE YOU that very day, and not let you stay on for those 2 weeks while youre seeking employment elsewhere- so , IF youre still thinking of leaving this job, youd better have one already waiting for you before you do.
Its not the guilt of leaving you ought to be concerned with, its the guilt of SHOULD you have left, or is this just something youre going to feel at your next job?
Theres a VERY old saying, and its OFTEN TRUE- STAY with the DEVIL that you KNOW. Because the devil you KNOW , you know how to DEAL WITH. the next devil, youre gonna have to try and figure out in time. Trust me. Read the book I mentioned.

and if this job is just to get you thru school, then how can you expect to take any career seriously if you arent taking your JOB seriously. Its just to get you thru school?! I wouldnt tell THEM that. Youre narrowing your perspective.

Answer 6

Think about this carefully.

Don't give a two weeks notice just because you hate the job. Make sure you have another job first!!

THen, you can tell them, "thanks for the job opportunity, but I feel that my career needs to go in a different direction at this time."

You do not have to provide a reason for leaving, especially if this is an "at will" employer.

Answer 7

Just say that you are leaving for personal reason, but thank you for the learning experience. I hope that you have a new job lined up before you quit! For a sample resignation letter go to MSN.com type in the word Templates.

Answer 8

Why should you feel guilty? You work, they pay you. That is the basis of the relationship. Should you wish to stop working, they of course will stop paying you. And that's the end of it. You're not obligated to keep working there any more than they are obligated to keep paying you if you stop working. It's not for you, so it's time to move on.

Anyway, just tell them you are giving your two weeks' notice, that you appreciate your time on the job but you are leaving to pursue other opportunities, blah blah blah, sincerely, you.

Answer 9

You shouldn't feel guilty leaving if your job is so miserable. Just write a polite letter saying:

Please accept this letter as formal notification that I am leaving my position with _____ Company on ______. (two weeks from the date of the letter).

I wanted to thank you for the opportunities you have provided me during my time with the company. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance during this transition.

Hope that helps!

Answer 10

Hi Jessie, If you hate your job that much, you should of already handed your 2 weeks notice a month ago. Write this is my two weeks notice. If they ask why, tell them it's personal. That way they cannot ask you anymore question. Been there done that.

Clowmy