I’m (33f) thinking about leaving the organization I recently started working with. I’ve been there for nearly 10 weeks, but I’m not happy. I’ve essentially spent the past month hoping it would improve and gearing myself up to leave.
My boss (48f), the woman who runs the organization, micromanages like crazy. I feel like every time I finish a task, she has a million tiny changes that she requests and sometimes even makes herself – my work feels almost pointless, and it’s making me sad. I’m experienced and good at what I do, but I feel like I don’t have any autonomy or opportunities to run with a task. And yet, she regularly complains about being overworked and responsible for everything that goes on.
I feel like a dick for leaving, because I know it will negatively impact other people there, but I don’t think I can handle this woman’s exasperating behaviour long-term.
My question is this: when I quit, should I tell the woman who runs the organization why I’m leaving? It’s a small organization (>20 people) and her micromanaging effects other people as well. It’s also clearly causing her stress, because she feels chronically overworked. I’m not very good at being upfront when I know it might hurt someone’s feelings. Does anyone have any recommendations about how I should approach this? Any advice appreciated!
Tldr: I’m planning to hand in my notice. How honest should I be with my boss about my reasons for quitting?
5 comments
It’s usually never a good idea to be blunt with people when you leave- not only can it hurt your chances of finding a new job by burning a bridge/ potentially losing a good review, it’s also likely that they won’t hear your criticism anyway. You would probably not be the first person to tell this woman about her flaws, and nothing will change. If you really want to give honest feedback (which you don’t owe to them), try to be exceedingly polite with it, ie “one thing I struggled with is not having much autonomy with tasks” or “I’m hoping to find a place where I can take on more tasks/ grow by having more freedom with my duties”
I think it’s safe to say that you are a self motivated worker who is used to being pretty autonomous and you don’t think you’re a good fit for this particular job.
I know that type of boss is a giant pain in the ass. She probably wishes she could clone herself so she could do everything in her very specific way. She can’t let go of anything and trust her people to do their jobs.
Which isn’t good for her employees or her own health.
I don’t think you should feel bad for a single second about leaving. It’s not a family it’s a transaction where they compensate you for your labor. They will find someone else to provide the labor you provided. If there is a formal exit interview feel free to diplomatically say you need a role where there is less time spent on oversight and you have more autonomy or that you did not feel workflows were efficient. Otherwise, and especially if this is a small industry where people know each other, hand in your notice and leave. You don’t need to say a thing about your boss, just that you want to find a new job opportunity. Honestly you don’t even owe them that much explanation.
Thinking keep it simple “Here is my resignation letter my last day will be xyz thanks”.
You don’t owe her any explanation and if she wants to make her life easier she should learn to treat people like adults, plus she should pay someone for those insights not be gifted them by someone she has abused into leaving
When you’re leaving, it’s officially no longer your business or concern what happens at your old job.
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If you try to do the right thing they might make your notice period awful or contact your new job or whatever.
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Hand in your notice and unless they have a formal exit-conversation then don’t give a reason.