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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To leave my new job after a day?

137 replies

badgersinthewillow · 30/08/2016 19:33

I feel awful.

I hate it because it's just dull and the day drags. There isn't enough work to fill the day

The people I'm working with are lovely and I don't want to leave them in the lurch.

AIBU?

OP posts:

daisym00n · 30/08/2016 19:54

I once left a job after three days. I had thought it was close to my dream job but there were a few issues which added together which meant it wasn't what I thought it would be. I made a quick decision before my old post was readvertised and the new company put time and effort into training me up. No regrets at all. As soon as I made the decision it felt right.

Original poster

badgersinthewillow · 30/08/2016 19:54

Yes, I agree.

The problem is while I have an opportunity to go back to my old job, that's not an indefinite door left open. I need to make a decision quickly, otherwise I'd agree sticking it out would be better.

OP posts:

Myusernameismyusername · 30/08/2016 19:55

Why did you leave your old job though? I never go back. Only onwards. I could have gone back too but then I realised I had to move up, so I stuck it out and looked for an even better job

PumpkinPie2013 · 30/08/2016 19:56

I think you need to give it a bit longer - a month at the very least before you consider leaving.

Surely if there wasn't enough work they wouldn't have taken you on?

They are probably easing you into the role but if you finish your tasks then ask if there is anything else you can help with.

Hopefully you will soon settle in.

Original poster

badgersinthewillow · 30/08/2016 19:56

I lost a lot of confidence due to a variety of factors to be honest (bereavement and some things following that.)

OP posts:

TheClacksAreDown · 30/08/2016 19:57

Speak the language your boss. Ask for more work

Original poster

badgersinthewillow · 30/08/2016 19:58

It's not that straightforward Clacks, but thank you.

OP posts:

GraceGrape · 30/08/2016 20:02

My Dad did this when I was young. Got a new (better-paid) job and hated it so he went back to his old job. Think he gave the new one a couple of weeks though.

SparklesandBangs · 30/08/2016 20:03

OP I understand, I changed jobs in February and on day 1 I was pretty sure I'd made a mistake, the role had been explained to me at interview and I knew the computer system so I'd finished all the day's work in an hour. From the way the job was explained at interview it sounded like they needed someone of my senior level, that there was loads of work and that it was really complicated and they wanted to grow the business with my help. I stuck it out for 8 weeks most days working for 1-2 hours then reading books on my phone. During this time I'd discovered that 2 if the bosses weren't really interested in the business because if it ticked along at the level it was at they drew enough salary and could pursue their other interests they turned up for about 15 hours each week. Boss 3 ran the place and was only interested in doing things his way and sulked for days if questioned. He was there for 12 hours per day sat at his desk. My direct manager was a immature, lazy and arrogant sod, and the other 2 in the department were not much better. Having worked out that with improved methods of working and by applying myself I could do all the departments work with just an assistant I began to regret my decision to move and wished I'd gone with my gut instinct on day 1.

Fortunately I was head hunted and handing in my notice was the best thing I did

SparklesandBangs · 30/08/2016 20:04

Go back

Original poster

badgersinthewillow · 30/08/2016 20:05

Thanks, Sparkles :)

The people are really lovely but because of the office layout I don't really get to speak to anybody.

The role just doesn't seem quite what I wanted. I could however continue on a part time basis until a replacement is recruited. I'll see how tomorrow goes and then have a chat with them.

OP posts:

TheHuntingOfTheSarky · 30/08/2016 20:06

I've left temping jobs after one day before when it was obvious I wasn't right for the role or a similar reason....but if you've actually applied for it and been interviewed then yes ffs give it more than a day! Especially as it's the day after a BH and not everyone will necessarily have even been in today

Flugelpip · 30/08/2016 20:06

I did this. I started a new job (round the corner from my old one). Knew immediately I had made a mistake. At the end of the first week I went for lunch with my old colleagues and found out they hadn't yet replaced me. I went for lunch with my old boss on the Tuesday, I think, and asked if I could come back. She was delighted. The new employers not so much, and that was awkward in the extreme... In retrospect it was completely the right decision for me and if I had stayed I wouldn't have had the career opportunities I later had as a result of going back to job 1. I didn't realise how much they liked me in job 1 until I left (I was young and insecure and had just moved to London the previous year so I was still finding my feet). Staying on for 6 months or a year for the sake of your CV might not be the right thing to do in every case. Go with your instincts.

FinderofNeedles · 30/08/2016 20:07

Can you raise it with your line manager and, basically, ask for more to do? Ask if every day will be like day 1; ask what to expect next week / next month. Maybe they have lots to get you involved in but didn't want to scare you on day 1; or if every day in the future will be like your first day then you know where you stand.

Do you normally make decisions hastily?

Lorelei76 · 30/08/2016 20:08

It's one day! You're not usually given much to do on day one.
Jeez, I thought you were going to say they were all evil but it's not even that.

Is it that you regret leaving your old so much but you were too embarrassed to withdraw your resignation or something?

Original poster

badgersinthewillow · 30/08/2016 20:10

It's really not as simple as asking for more work, I'm afraid.

Finder, doesn't the fact I'm asking on here and am upset and torn about this suggest I don't (make decisions hastily?) I've sat through four days training and started today and it just feels wrong. I'm sorry that seems to be annoying people - I feel fucking awful about it actually - but I have to think what's best for me as well.

OP posts:

BlueFolly · 30/08/2016 20:12

What's the job?

janethegirl2 · 30/08/2016 20:14

My dh started a job and hated it but I insisted he stuck it out fora minimum of 6 months. He lasted 12 months and then went on to a much preferable job in his opinion ( much less pay, much more responsibility). But I don't think you can/should decide on one day. Give it 3 months min imo.

RandomDent · 30/08/2016 20:18

My friend did this. One day in she realised she had made an error. The old employer took her back.

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 30/08/2016 20:19

Listen to your instincts.

I had a strong feeling that I should leave after my first day at an old job. No big reason - it didn't feel right, there wasn't enough work, it didn't really match me. Nothing major, and the people seemed nice enough. I stuck it out. Everyone I spoke to about it told me it takes two/three months to settle in and to keep at it. I did. I regret it! I eventually left a year later but it wasn't a good year, and I wish I'd cut my losses and gone back to my old job before.

I have a new job now that I love, have been at for two years, and didn't have that heart sinking feeling after the first day.

I'd give it tomorrow and assess if there's other things influencing your decision, but if you feel you should leave and you have your old job to go back too, I would.

microferret · 30/08/2016 20:22

hi badger

from one woodland mammal to another, do tell us - what's the new job?

and what was the old one, and why did you leave it?

ferret

Bibs2014 · 30/08/2016 20:26

This happened to me last year. Started a new job and knew it was wrong from day one. I realised I had made the wrong decision by taking the role. Stuck it out for 10 days then spoke with my manager. Was just honest with her and she was great.

They gave me the option of leaving or staying until I found something else or they until they found a replacement for me. I ended up staying for 4 months and funnily enough they recommended me to another company they knew and I got a job with them! So it was win-win all round.

Just act professional and do it properly is my advice.

Original poster

badgersinthewillow · 30/08/2016 20:28

I think you're right bibs

Strangely I know another lady who lasted about a week and it was the same for her: it just wasn't right for her.

I have a back injury and it is exacerbated by the nature of the role so I was uncomfortable as well as bored:)

OP posts:

LobsterQuadrille · 30/08/2016 20:28

Hi OP, I have left a couple of jobs after less than a week - one of them after a day and a half. I had a gut feeling that they wouldn't work out and that I had leapt at what I thought were good opportunities, only to find for different reasons that they were not right for me.

For CV purposes I have not mentioned either of these jobs - I have gaps between every job I have ever had anyway. I think to have to explain why you've left somewhere after six months is trickier than just not mentioning it.

If you're worried about leaving them in the lurch - who was doing your role prior to today?

Crabstick · 30/08/2016 20:29

Please tell us what the jobs are

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