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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to ask what's an acceptable time to start looking for another job?

8 replies

Prickle2 · 17/01/2019 20:44

I work for a small company, and they would almost certainly sack me if I looked for another job and they found out about it. I have minimal rights as only been there a year.

The boss has been really cross when people have left for other jobs and taken it very personally as it's his business. As a result, most people who've left have gone without another job to go to, they've taken career breaks instead.

So I'm asking how many years of employment would be acceptable for bosses to understand you want to move on and expand your horizons? I'm terrified about job hunting incase he finds out.

OP posts:
RollerJed · 17/01/2019 20:52

With a boss like this, probably never. For your CV I'd say 2 years but if you're unhappy leave now, life is too short.

I'm finishing up today after 3 months on a 6 month contract because a better role touches wood came up and I'd knew I'd regret not.

Cuppateeee · 17/01/2019 21:00

I agree with pp, at least 2 years looks better on a CV otherwise you might not look committed, but if you’re unhappy then leave now.
Don’t worry what you’re boss thinks when you leave you’ll hopefully never have to see him again!

AlisonW1982 · 17/01/2019 21:04

If they were having a downturn at work or needed to downsize, you'd be let go. It's a business decision. Your boss is being shortsighted and immature/unprofessional to take it personally.

Good management likes to see their staff thrive and be supported long enough that they stick around but jobs aren't a lifelong commitment.

I'd try to get away from a boss / owner who was not of that mindset. You'll end up surrounded by similar colleagues - there are plenty more employers who'll treat their staff more maturely. I would not stay longer than it took to find another job.

People normally leave managers, not jobs.

AlisonW1982 · 17/01/2019 21:06

Surely length of service entirely dependent on job and sector though?!

2 years in massive expanded technology startup in the same role = not learning, adaptable, promotion worthy = risky candidate

2 years in teaching = only just started, far too little time, job hopper = risky candidate

Two extremes of the spectrum maybe but hopefully you see my point.

username7000 · 17/01/2019 21:09

Yes leave if your not happy . The fact you said your boss would not be happy about leaving makes him sound a total arse. Some employers seam to think they own employees but they don't you want to leave leave end of . They will soon find someone else and like someone else said if they wanted to cut staff they would easily . Life is too short to me miserable.

IchWill · 17/01/2019 22:28

What a horrible boss you have. Nobody expects to have to share everything with their boss, but you don't want to go full cloak and dagger either.

One of my team told me in her 121 this week that she had an interview externally this week. She didn't mean to tell me, it sort of iust came out as we were discussing how well she was doing. It prompted a whole discussion about her ambitions (most of which I was aware of and was supporting) and how she's desperate for more room and progression. I just had no promotion to give her.

As she was what businesses can refer to as a "flight risk", I spoke to my manager and a job (promotion) that my manager had that neither me, her, or my team member considered to be a role she could do is now looking likely to be something she is applying for and could actually do now we've all thought about it.

My boss said, we will try to keep her, but it must suit our cosny too, so if we can't keep her, then we have to support her to spread her wings, even if that means for another organisation.

I would suggest that if you're unhappy, a year is enough on your CV, I had a job that I knew was a mistake after a month, but I stuck it out for a year for the sake of my CV, it was hell. If you're unhappy, just start looking, but be careful about letting your boss realise, book a half day holiday etc. It's none of your boss's business.

You're right, you've no rights legally until you've been there for two years, so dont waste another year there. Find a company that deserves you.

When asked in interviews and on forms why you're looking for a new role, refer to the current company's size and how you feel that progession options are limited. That's perfectly acceptable.

Also, I've had a harder time working for small companies, bigger organisations have been much better. Such as, small companies often don't have a HR department, the MD usually wants to micro manage everything and the benefits are rubbish.

Good luck OP.

CoughLaughFart · 17/01/2019 22:41

I had a boss that used to do this. He hated the idea that anyone would see a job elsewhere as a step up. He even once told me he’d sacked one of my colleagues because she wasn’t good enough - the only problem being that I’d actually been with her when she got the call offering her a much better job, so I knew it was a vindictive lie.

I think a year is fine, but you could always say you’ve been doing maternity cover or are on a fixed-term contract and that’s why you’re looking around.

P.S. I saw that boss at a trade fair a few years ago and he asked where I was now. His face when I named a major company in our industry will be one of my happiest memories in my old age Grin

tiggerkid · 17/01/2019 22:45

It really depends on what the job is and how much demand there is for your profession.

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