Going back on a resignation letter?

I was curious what you thought about this. I realize in theory it's possible but I was wondering about real world.

I recently put in my two weeks about 4 days ago. I had an event to go to after the fact which put me in an opportunity to speak to some of my management team and even the owner. I was received with a calmness and some disappointment with some information about where my position would go if I would have stayed.

I told him I felt some buyer remorse which is true. Then my direct boss asked me if the upper manager had spoke to me about leaving I replied yes. I told him how the conversation went and how I loved the company (maybe a stretch I love my kids and wife), but nevertheless I really like the company. I also enjoy most of the people in fact almost all of them. But I was concerned about how the role was changing.

I told my boss that I was having buyers remorse and he mentioned something about the door is always open. And that was it.

I didn't want to push the conversation due to the fact it just felt awkward and it wasn't the place. They brought it up so.....

Anyway there I am in this crazy situation. The reason I resigned was due to the fact my role was moving around (small company). In fact previously I had been put in a position for ~6 months to do some operational work. I didn't have a say it just kind of happened. I'm concerned things could move out side of my job scope again which causes me stress and uncertainty.

I just wanted to get some thoughts around this. Part of my says you know what, this is how it is deal with it. The other part of me is struggling with the ethical side of being shifted around. I'm not talking supporting an ERP system to support Windows servers. I am talking Windows Server to Account Recievable. Major scope switch.

Now to their defense they needed help due to some defections but still it did impact me and my mind set on things.

Is this common? This is the first small sized company I have ever worked for except when I was in college and worked for a LLC as a property manager. Which my role never changed.

Thanks for reading my concerns.

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Comments

Priston

I understand your pain, I've been going through a lot of stress and uncertainty too at work. If things get better before I find a new job i'll stay but if they don't, I'm gone.

You on the other hand quit before you had something in place which makes things difficult. Sometimes it can take awhile to find a new job, so it's natural to have second thoughts about quitting. If you ask for your job back, do you think your job will continue to further your career?

Jon_Cisco

I think it's common for companies to ask employees to do everything. Only when the employee pushes back does that change much.

If you are having second thoughts about your decisions weight your options and do what seems right for your family. Chances are if you were not happy before giving your notice you will not be happy after.

Good Luck!

N2IT

I honestly don't know if it will further my career that is one of my biggest concerns. I have picked up quite a few skills in the last 13 months, but some of the other elements of the positions have "stalled" out for now at least.

I think there is a very high probability that I could come back I am concerned about the role itself. I want to continue to improve and right now it feels like I am being thrown at problems rather than being part of a process.

I have several final interviews next week 2 business analyst positions and a system analyst position.

Chitownjedi

When I put my 2 weeks in at my Network Engineering position that 90 System Engineer vs 10% Network Engineering... my boss told me that "Just next week I was planning on giving you 2 other Networking projects, because the New Sr. Engineer is mostly a Exchange guy, with no networking experience."

I say if you didn't hear about it before your notice, just chalk it up to them trying to sway you now with what they knew and must have always known you might have wanted. Communication is key. It's funny how often places have all these plans for people and their position after the notice... but before hand, you'd have to be a freaking mind reader to know any of it. Stick with your plan... buyer remorse is natural.

pinkydapimp

TBH i would move on. You could always return after the fact, however it sounds like in your gut you know its time to go. Plus, its always risky staying after they make a counter as they may think you will still be looking to leave first chance you get. tough situation but go with your gut.

petedude

N2IT wrote: »

Now to their defense they needed help due to some defections but still it did impact me and my mind set on things.

Sounds like an unstable or poorly managed situation if people are already jumping ship. Anything they say after this point is just a ploy to keep you from leaving.

The_Expert

I've resigned twice from one place before... mostly because I was very dissatisfied with my job.

The first time, management talked me out of it and I stayed. Two years later, I resigned again. And this time they weren't going to take me back.

Lesson learned: If one resigns from a job, there are usually some serious reasons behind it. You're not happy at work. You know it deep down inside. It's time to move on.

Of course, now they are going to try to make you regret your decision, by telling you all this great stuff which was supposed to come your way. Sure.

JoJoCal19

I subscribe to the notion, always look forward, not backward.

the_Grinch

chitownjedi hit the nail on the head. I worked at a number of places where the minute the notice was given things began to magically pop up that I had been asking for. Three months before I left the MSP I was with I started sending emails asking if we could have more training or new areas we could go into. Not a reply from anyone on it (other then my Director of Ops acknowledging the need and passing it on) yet I put my month's notice in and suddenly the owner calls me up to talk for an hour about all the stuff they had planned. I merely said that was great and if it was in the works it would have been great if it was communicated to the team. Ultimately they did end up doing half of the things I suggested, but I didn't regret leaving.

You know when it is time to move on and I suspect you wouldn't have put in the notice if you weren't ready. Small company or not when you have a few years of experience it should be less of the "we really need to you help with x". That's fresh out of college need to make a good impression type crap, which you are beyond. I've always been willing to help when needed, but eventually you have to be able not have to keep doing it.

NotHackingYou

I would agree with above - time to move on.

N2IT

You guys and gals are awesome. I was feeling terrible and now I feel a lot more uplifted. I received some calls today and it looks like some other positions are in play. All of them have more pay.

Thanks again I really do appreciate it.

jdancer

Buyer's remorse is natural.

However, when an organization says "something just came up", it's a belated back-handed compliment on your contributions.

LOL, "something just came up" sounds just like a counter-offer. And one should NEVER accept a counter-offer.

emerald_octane

Usher wrote:

I'm twisted 'cause one side of me is tellin' me
That I need to move on
On the other side I
wanna break down and cry

You started looking for a reason, go fourth with your new opportunities!

ande0255

^That made me lol right cha

spicy ahi

N2IT wrote: »

I want to continue to improve and right now it feels like I am being thrown at problems rather than being part of a process.

This is all the answer you needed (and coincidentally it came from you!) to ease your buyers remorse. You identified the root issue that bothers you. While it may possibly have been a rash decision, I subscribe to the tenet that most folks generally tough it out and if/when they've hit the point that they're seriously ready to pull the trigger and end their employment relationship then it probably is time to move on. Like folks mentioned above, it's always natural to feel that way; you're leaving the comfortable and familiar after all. But more often than not, you'll find yourself in a better position if you keep moving forward.

Oh, and you also mentioned that there were defections ahead of you which forced you to fill in those gaps. I'm not the smartest guy in the world, but when I start seeing other rats jumping ship I start looking seriously for another job even if I'm not directly affected. Ya know, just in case.

dj_kenshin

I have a pretty close situation. I've been paying close attention to this set. Right now instead of IT work (which is what my title is) i'm doing security (physical) and HVAC (because it has a computer). This helps show what I should be doing also. The defections are happening here also! I'm in the process of looking myself and will continue to push for better then now! Thank you everyone

-Distressed and a little self-denial panic'ed guy

paul78

@N2IT - definitely move on.

BTW - if you look at it from your previous management's point of view, they may be feeling the same remorse. It's very common for a manager to feel that someone that leaves may be missing out on something. I think it's a psychological reaction to why are they still staying.

I will secretly share (because this is an anonymous forum

) that I have been in the position where someone has left a company and I wish I was them. And while I may even try to talk up why I am staying and the great opportunities because that's my job, it often is for my own self-ego than the person that is leaving because I may feel a tinge of jealousy.

N2IT

Thanks again Gang!

Moving on and I am excited. I got a couple of data analyst positions I am interviewing for.

I finalized it and it is over. Done completely over!

In fact I am letting up my work effort and focusing on my new journey!

SteveLord

Chitownjedi wrote: »

Communication is key. It's funny how often places have all these plans for people and their position after the notice... but before hand, you'd have to be a freaking mind reader to know any of it. Stick with your plan... buyer remorse is natural.

Funny indeed! I have a neighbor who experienced this. Gave word he was looking for work elsewhere, boss brought him in and gave a counter offer + some other incentives. I told him he should bounce. He took them up on it. Still works there. (He's a one man shop.) For as much as they have him doing and the travel, it wouldn't be enough money for me.

Good luck N2IT!

N2IT

A side note

Boss man told me in a very PC way moving on was the smartest move. Do I really need to say anymore?

He said others would be promoted above me due to other factors etc. He also said my job would only get worse.

This was in the context of being nice and discouraging.

datacomboss

One of the bad things about working for a small organization.

You did the right thing. It's not fun having the uncertainty, especially with a wife and kids.