Should I tell my boss that I am looking for another job?

Question

I work for a very small company. I don't really have a job title, but I do little things such as payroll, account payables, some sales, some general office duties. Like I said, LITTLE THINGS, I don't entirely do these things. I do some of it. But I've been frustrated with work lately because one of my coworkers, whom everyone seems to like, is pretty much bossing me around. I sit about 5 feet away from, and she would email me askin' me to prepare her fedex label shippings, look for folders, go file things, and so on. And I have to reply to her when these things are done. It really pissed me off. Sometimes, not only I don't do these things, and I also don't reply to her email. Apparently, she's been given complete authority over me. I want to leave the job because I feel like I can spend my time doing better things than being someone's *****. I would love to do more, but they're more interested in having someone to do these filthy things. Should I talk to the boss and speak my mind?

Answer 1

I know it is always annoying to have someone "bossing" you around, especially when you think you do your job well, however, most offices are set up like that. It seems that you are confused to whom you should be reporting to, and since your job is in actuality a job created to assist the other staff you will need to get some clarity.
You appear to be more angry than anything else, so my first suggestion is to relax. The next thing I would suggest is to make a list of legitimate questions (such as what is your job description, to whom do you report, is there a real opportunity for you progress in the company or will you just be handling the little jobs (as you put it) and so on. Then, make a request to speak with your boss, allow the boss some time to get to back to you (or you can ask if you can meet for about 15 minutes on such and such day) and present your question list then. The reply from your boss shuld help you make a decision in terms of if you should consider moving to another place of employment.
In response to your question of if you should notify your boss that you are looking for a new job: I would not. My experience has taught me that telling a boss that you are leaving usually is interpreted as a threat, and the boss ususally fires you immediately. I would look on my own time (not using the company's computer) and during your search you may tell a prospective job where you currently work, do not bad mouth the employer (use the excuse of wanting a more challenging role in a company as the reason why you are leaving) and tell the prospective company that at the moment you may not use your current employer as a reference.
Just keep in mind that in your search (should you decide to do one) for a new job that you get definite job instructions and a description!

Answer 2

Although you are grateful your boss gave you a break, you gave your boss something in return, you. If you have been a valued employee where you are, you have repaid the debt and owe no special consideration. But, if you want to be extra helpful, you could ask your new boss to let you give more than a two weeks notice. I have seen many "nice" bosses turn vindictive when a valued employee leaves. They may see it as a betraya. l Instead of thanking them for their past contribution and for giving them extra notice, they often over react and fire the employee on the spot. Finding a new job is not always as easy as you might think. If you lose your job before getting another, you could be off work for a long time. You cannot always really know your boss. Has your boss ever done the same as your friends do for you?Most successful people, and I did say "most", not all, are nice until it comes to money or their own success. You are likey young and early in your carer path. You don't need to make enemies but you also need to consider yourself first here. also: beware of websites offering to help, that, in the end, ask you for money. There are a lot of scams.

Answer 3

whoa!

Here are my initial thoughts--if everyone else likes this person, what's your reason not to like her? If you sit five feet away from her, have you sat there in silence the whole time you're worked together, or do you have some kind of relationship established with her? If you want to keep the job you have, and if the owner has ordained her as your supervisor, then it's in your interest to figure out how to make that work for you. If it was me, I would e-mail you requests, because it's good managemet to put work requests in writing. You have a paper trail that way, as a double-check on information, as a reminder, etc. So why are you bristling at her sending you things in writing? That's just good management, in my opinion.

You say "apparently" she has been given complete authority over you--you don't for sure? Nobody has discussed this with you? If not, you need to ask your business owner, or whoever has been your supervisor up till now if the reporting hierarchy has changed. Don't get pissed off--ASK!

I'm not sure what you expected with this job, but unless you start your own business, you will spend your time being someone's ***** (whatever those "stars" stand for). So figure out what you like to do and get GOOD at it, so you can be higher up on the food chain. You will always report to someone, though, so just get used to that idea.

If you are serious about finding a new job, I wouldn't tell your boss. If it was me, again, I would just pay you through the end of the pay period and let you go right away, esp. with you having access to computer systems, etc. Disgruntled employees are security risks in small and large ways, so a lot of companies just escort someone out with a box of their personal belongings, once they tell the boss they are pissed off about something and thinking about quitting.

If you do change jobs, learn from this experience and don't take a job that does not have a title and a clear job description, including duties, some kind of plan for advancement (including what you need to do to earn raises, annual bonsues, etc.) who supervises you, etc. That way, if something does change at work like the situation you're describing, you at least have that as a prior agreement between you and your boss as a place to start re-negotiating.

Answer 4

I would not tell your boss that you are upset with your duties unless you really think their is a chance they will make a change and you want to stay at the company.

If you get another job give them 2 weeks notice that you will be leaving. I would not recommend complaining.

Answer 5

Be careful here...unless you can affoord to be unemployed for a while. Yes, she is a typical b*Tch and abusing her little power and yes, you need to communicate this to youor boss. She is demeaning you, making you send emails upon completion of a task is ridiculous and unnecessary. She knows you've done whatever it is and making you send emails is abusive, IMO.
Be sweet, helpless and bewildered when you approach your boss and simply say since you sit right next to her you would prefer to have her tell you verbally what she requires and no emails going back and forth, wich is also a waste of time, BTW.
NEVER let on how angry you are. let her hang herself, figuratively speaking.
In the meantime, send out your resume to recruiters online and post it on Monster.com, then when you HAVE the job, tell your boss you're leaving and WHY but be careful not to burn your bridges...you need the reference.

Answer 6

Don't tell your boss until you have the job 100% because your boss will probably fire you and what happens if you don't get that other job? Then you have no income at all. So be safe and wait until for sure you have a new job.

-xoxo
GossipGirl

Answer 7

it is never a good idea to tell your current boss you are looking for a new job.

If you want a new job, then do what you have to do to get your applications in, and leave when you have a firm offer.

But it is never a good idea to "threaten' your boss with looking for a new job, because it can backfire on you, and then you will need to look for real, and maybe sooner than you wanted to.

Answer 8

some things you never tell